Page 16 of Cakewalk
He got a familiar look in his eyes and his body stiffened. I wasn’t sure what it meant at first, but then I remembered. “Oh, hell no!” I grabbed him and set him down on the floor. “Go do your business in the box in the corner, you little monster! Haven’t you ruined my day enough?”
It seemed King Kong was feeling merciful, since he scurried off to his litter box before things got ugly.
I deflated back into the sofa again. That was when it hit me: My entire wardrobe amounted to t-shirts, jeans, pajamas, and nothing else. What the hell was I going to wear for a fancy evening out?
I stood and glanced over in the direction of the master bedroom. Maybe Mrs. Davidson had a cute dress I could borrow? Sure, it’d be forty years out of date, but didn’t fashion trends come back around again?
I sent her a quick text, asking if it’d be okay to borrow something “for a date.” It shouldn’t have surprised me when she blew up my phone with one text after another.
Mrs. Davidson: Who is he?
Mrs. Davidson: Is it that Killian boy? And here I thought he didn’t swing that way!
Mrs. Davidson: Wait, is it Reuben, from the dock? He’s a nice young man. Except for that one incident with the cow!
I texted back before she could keep guessing.
Me: You don’t know him. He’s new in town. But I don’t have anything to wear to a fancy restaurant.
Mrs. Davidson: My wardrobe is yours for the picking, sweetie.
Me: You’re a lifesaver.
Mrs. Davidson: How is King Kong behaving?
I didn’t feel like explaining how King Kong indirectly orchestrated this entire mess.
Me: He’s behaving as well as a giant wild lizard can behave.
Mrs. Davidson: That’s great, dear. Let me know how your date goes. I hope you get lucky tonight!
I gaped at my phone and said out loud, “What?” Was Mrs. Davidson just too old and kindly to get what that phrase really meant? I typed back, “Haha. Thanks,” then made a run for her closet.
Chapter 7
Griffin
The darkand candlelit atmosphere of Martello’s Bistro was far more romantic than I had expected. I made sure to be ten minutes early to stake out a good table, but that turned out to be unnecessary. I was the only one here besides an old couple dining in the corner.
Thisisa Friday night, right?
Though the place was all but dead, it looked like it would have been able to rival any of the best restaurants in the city. Empty wine bottles of various colors with little lights inside hung from the ceiling, and each white-clothed table was adorned with both a rose and a candle. Out through the windows, the ocean waves lapped against a nearby pier as the silhouettes of little boats bobbed against the starry sky.
Quite a bit more romantic than I meant for this meeting to be. Or, I guess it was a date now. I had just wanted to settle the lease agreement and sign whatever I had to sign, but Jade took my question for something else.
Not that I hadn’t been a little vague just in case…
I reopened the text conversation for the dozenth time, cocking my head as I read over her response, my eyes focusing on a few key phrases.
I’m hopelessly single.
One-night stand.
Odds through the roof.
I had to appreciate her honesty, at least. Not only was she a bull in a china shop, but she was one of the most frank people I had ever met. Then there was her fierce loyalty to her sister, and even to her ex friend, who sounded like a real piece of work.
It all added up to a woman I found fascinating.
