Page 44 of Waiting to Lose
IT WAS LATE, so Madi rested her head on Jake’s shoulder until she drifted to sleep. He was glad she didn’t notice that the drive was longer than usual, since they weren’t going home. The screech of the tires coming to a stop woke Madi from her slumber. She glanced out the window before turning to Jake with surprise.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“I hope you’re not too tired.”
“What’s going on?”
Rob opened the door. Madi hadn’t even realized he was sitting in the front seat next to Felix. He nodded as Jake stepped out and held his hand out to Madi. Madi’s boots clunked against the car frame as she attempted to get her balance.
“Jake?” she asked, waiting for an explanation.
He smiled as Rob knocked on a door. They were in a deserted back alley.
“Trust me?” he asked.
“Always,” she responded with a smirk. “Another surprise?”
As much as he knew she loved surprises, he could tell she was skeptical.
The door opened as a Chinese man smiled and motioned for them to come in.
Jake led Madi through the kitchen of a restaurant. They turned corners around prep tables and stoves until they walked through a set of doors. He allowed her to go first, then stepped to the side to see her expression when she realized where they were.
Madi gasped and turned to him. “I know this place! The dragon on the ceiling. The smell. Jake? Is this the restaurant we ate at on our date?”
Jake grinned. “Thatwas not a date.Thisis a date.”
“Where is everyone? Why is the place empty?”
“It’s reserved for a private party. Mr. Chin was nice enough to close it down for me for the night. I wanted a little privacy.”
Madi beamed with excitement. “A real date?”
“A realfirstdate.”
“Well, if this is a real first date, then I guess you won’t be getting lucky. I’m not that kinda girl.”
Jake laughed as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… I didn’t consider that. How many dates will it take? You know, for you to put out?”
“I’m guessing at least three. Assuming I like you and all.”
“Three, huh? I guess I need to take you to a movie after this, and then maybe to a club for dancing.”
“I might be okay with a movie at your place and a quick twirl around the room.”
“Done.”
Jake led her to a table on the floor lit by candles. Madi’s responding smile made him note to do more for her, more often.
“Do you like it?”
She smiled in appreciation. “It’s perfect!”
Madi knelt on the floor and Jake sat next to her.
“There were so many things I wanted to say to you that night that I should have.”
The waiter approached and poured water into their glasses. Madi stared at Jake expectantly as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. Jake watched her intently, noticing every move she made and memorizing her. As soon as the waiter walked away, Jake continued. “I wanted to tell you I thought you were beautiful. I wanted to tell you that I felt a pull to you as soon as I saw you. That when you shook my hand, I felt a surge of electricity shoot through me.”
