Page 30 of Second Round

“Ready for what?” She really needed to face the road instead of looking at me. This was exactly why I’d wanted to drive. But Jackie insisted that since I planned everything about our first date, she would do the same for this date. Jackie was a good driver, but she was easily distracted. She threw herself so completely intothings.

“Ready to be impressed by my awesomeness,” shereplied.

I chuckled. Her van reminded me of my childhood. We had an oversized passenger van to contain our whole family. As the second-youngest, I never got a window seat though. I was always crammed in themiddle.

We parked, and Jackie pulled a big tote bag out of the back seat. Her clothes looked elegant, but her flushed cheeks and messy haircut looked like she had just rolled out of bed—after being fucked hard. What would she really look like after she had been fucked hard? That was something I’d been imagining on the longroadtrip.

She put her arm through mine. “Come on, Leo.” She led me towards a brightly-lit storefront. The awning readKiln ’nKaboodle.

“Merde.” I stopped short. “Is this some kind of arts and craftsplace?”

Jackie nodded enthusiastically. “Hey, did I complain when you pushed me out on an icy surface on tiny pieces ofmetal?”

“Skating is fun. Everyone enjoysskating.”

“Art is fun too. Everyonelovesart.”

“Not everybody.” My stomach felt hollow. I noticed a bar across the street, and I pulled her around to face it. “Look, there’s a bar over there, why don’t we go for adrink?”

“Don’t be a wuss. You said next time it would be my turn to choose something, and now you’re jamming out. We can go inside, do one activity, and then go out for adrink.”

I groaned. Now’s the time she picks to take a stand? “You are a stubborn woman. Why did I think you were easygoing?”

“You’re so macho. First you want to drive, and now a craft place is too girly or something?Let’sgo.”

She pulled on my arm and dragged me inside. It was everything I hated. Cutesy homemade banners and stupid affirmations like, “Release your inner artist.” I had no fucking inner artist. I focused on things I was good at and didn’t waste time on this crap. The smell of glue or paint was bringing back some very shitty childhoodmemories.

Some girl in a retro dress was already chattering away with Jackie. The two of them walked to a corner table, and I followedslowly.

“Just have a look at the front shelves and you can choose what you’d like to paint,” she chirped. “Or if you want to make a collage, we have those materials as well. Here’s a binder of completed projects if you need inspiration. Can I get you a coffeeortea?”

Jackie raised her tote bag. “I brought some adultbeverages.”

The girl beamed. “Oh, you’ve been here before. Carryonthen.”

I slouched into one chair and pushed my hair back. I still needed a haircut. In fact, there were only a hundred places I’d rather be than here. And there were a thousand things I’d rather be doing with Jackiethanthis.

“Come on. Let’s choose dishes, and we canpaintthem.”

“Look, how about if you paint and I watch you. I’ll keep you company while you make yourmasterpiece.”

She put a beer in front of me. “Maybe the beer will loosen you up and your inner Picasso will come out. Just like my inner Tessa Virtue came out on our first date. Relax, take off your coat.” Then she blushed, and I was pretty sure she was having sex thoughts. I sure was, because I could see her sweet ass in darkjeans.

I sighed and put my coat on the back of the chair. She pulled me up, and I put my hands on her shoulder. She shivered under my touch. I whispered in her ear, “Jackie, this stuff is for kids. Let’s go somewhere and do adultthings.”

She scowled. “Seriously? It’s like I’m forcing you to drown puppies or something. What is yourproblem?”

I cursed under my breath. “You know, I’m just not comfortable here. Canwego?”

Jackie finally clued in that I was serious. “I’m sorry, Leo. I thought that this was something you’d enjoy too. It’s no big deal. We can leave.” But her mouth was turned down, and her shouldersslumped.

“Why is this so important to you?” Iaskedher.

Jackie looked down at the stained table. “You’re not going to understand this, but it was actually pretty challenging for me to find something I’m good at. I mean, I’m good at the things most women are good at, like home stuff. But I’m not a great skater like you, and I can’t sing or anything like that. I’m prettyaverage.”

Jackie was all emotion and expression. Again that vulnerability came out, in complete contrast to her beauty and expensive home. I was a shit for bringing her downlikethis.

I stroked her hair, and she raised her eyestomine.

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