Page 65 of Love Medley
A long pause. And now I’m wondering if I misstepped.
Then a bark of surprised laughter on the other end. “Yes!”
I giggle back. Wow, this is actually happening. “Really?”
Jake’s answer is firm with no hesitation. “Really.”
“Okay, then.” I bite my lip, suddenly abashed. “Um, I guess I didn’t really think any further than that.”
I can hear the smile in Jake’s voice as he says, “I know of a great sushi place, if that’s something you’re even interested in. But wherever you want to go is fine with me.”
I can’t stop the upwards curve of my lips. “That sounds amazing. I love sushi.”
My mind is whirling at this conversation, an unsettling but also exhilarating kind of whiplash. For someone who insisted that she wasn’t going to fall for anyone this year, she was pretty damned wrong.
Jake laughs, a rich sound that heats me to my toes, which curl involuntarily. “I’m glad you approve. Does Tuesday night sound good? Pick you up around 6:30pm?”
Oh,wow. I’m gripping the phone so hard that I’m leaving imprints on my hand. I clear my throat. “Perfect.” I’m amazed that I sound calm when there are butterflies fluttering like mad in my belly.
I’m dying to ask him to define whatever this is, but I know that if we’re going to have this conversation, it has to be in person.
“See you soon.”
“Bye.” I say, barely capable of pressing the “end” button on my phone.
I drop backwards onto my bed spread-eagled like I’m about to make a snow angel and squeal like an idiot, flinging my arms and legs outward in a joyous movement.
All this time, Jake didn’t have feelings for Sam. And actually likedme? After a few moments of feeling ridiculous for all of my unnecessary pining, I’m filled with a beam of unfiltered joy. When was the last time I felt like this?
Then just as suddenly, I’m struck with apprehension, second-guessing my spur-of-the-moment ask. Maybe this is going too fast? What if this is the wrong decision?
But I remind myself—going with the man to sushi isn’t a crime. As Amelia says, I can take this slow and see how it goes. No strings attached.
And I’m going to use this as an excuse to get a new outfit.
Chapter twenty-two
Jake
As I’m standing on the tennis court getting my ass handed to me on this lovely Sunday morning, I can’t stop grinning. I’m on the top of the world. Lucy Chang kissed me last night, and she asked me out on a real fucking date.
Google love advice for the win.
But I’d better try to focus because Luke made an idiotic bet with Ian Thompson, tennis player extraordinaire, and now, the two of us are standing like losers on one side of the net, while Ian is on the other, poundingus to dust.
Ian is primarily Luke’s friend, but I first met him in high school. Because Ian was constantly traveling for tennis tournaments and we hung out in different social circles, I rarely saw him. Currently, he’s back in Blackwell taking a break from playing in grand slams across the globe. He’s ranked 23rd in the world, and his star is continuing to rise. Touted as the next Andy Roddick in looks, he was on last year’s list ofCrowd Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive. Believe me, I didn’t Google him to find out. Luke has been giving him shit since we met up, so I’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to know by now.
“Can you remind me why I signed up for this torture?” I ask, sweat pouring off of my face.
“There are two of us! That was supposed to make it more even,” Luke protests, looking as fucked up as I am. “You seem totally distracted, by the way—I think that’s why we’re losing.”
I shake my head. “Only you would think a two-on-one with Ian could ever be even,” I grunt, as I miss yet another volley. I also sidestep his very obvious dig. Tennis is not the only thing that requires footwork.
I’m guessing Luke’s nudging me about the big kiss that happened last night between Lucy and me, but I want to keep that golden moment to myself for a bit longer. Plus, I know he’s dying to get the scoop, but guy-etiquette means that he can’t actually act like he wants to know. So I’m choosing not to tell him just yet. It’s not often I’m on this side of things. The man could use a little delayed gratification in his life—women flock to him like butterflies to bright flowers.
“Let me know if you guys need a break!” Ian grins from the other side. I don’t think the bastard has even broken a sweat.
“I’m taking him up on that,” I gasp as I stagger to the bench and take a long sip of ice water.
