Page 48 of The Second Kiss
I hesitate for a minute and then hand them over. “Be careful.”
“I’m always careful." He opens the door for me, climbs in, and starts the car. When he puts it in reverse, he gets serious. “Before we get too far into this. I need to tell you, no fooling around tonight.”
I'm so shocked by what he just said that I take a second to answer. “What?”
“I have orders from Jacob to treat you with respect. I’m supposed to be a gentleman.” He puts air quotes around the word “gentleman.”
“You’re kidding, right?” The idea of Jacob having this conversation with Gage makes me blush. He sounds like my dad.
“I know I thought it was pretty strict, but he sounded serious. Sorry if you were counting on a sloppy make-out session or, you know, whatever.”
I sigh dramatically. “I guess I have to change my plans.”
“Really?” Gage’s eyebrows shoot up. I can’t decide if he’s being serious about any of this.
“We'll have to go with Plan B.”
“What is Plan B?”
“Ever heard of bowling?” I say.
“Heavy ball, white pins?”
“That’s the one.”
“Sounds like a world of boring to me.”
I look at Gage, wondering if I should feel insulted. I decide to play along with him. “Sorry, that’s it.” I put my hand on his knee and look up at him through my eyelashes. “Well, now that the whole making-out thing is out of the question.” I move my handand sit back. “We’re meeting some of my friends at a bowling alley in town.”
“Are those friends girls?” He sounds way too eager for a guy who’s supposed to be with me.
“I’ma girl, remember.”
“Oh, yeah. But will there be other girls there?”
So much for first-date etiquette. “Some of my friends will be there, but they’ll all be with guys.”
“Any better looking than me?”
“None more conceited.” I turn my face to the window. Let him think that over for a few minutes.
“Did I piss you off?” He reaches over to take my hand.
“Of course not.” I move it just out of his reach.
He puts both hands on the steering wheel. “I have a big mouth, I know. It's always getting me into trouble. I don’t know when to shut up.”
“That’s obvious.”
“Thanks for hanging out with me. Having you around makes the whole being stuck in Washington thing a lot more bearable.”
“Glad I could help.” I’m still facing the window, but I watch him out of the corner of my eye.
“Did I mention you look amazing?” He can’t possibly be watching the road. He’s looking at me too intently. Like he’s trying to get forgiveness.
“Thanks,” I let my voice drip with enough sarcasm that he can't possibly miss it.
“No seriously, Jess. Before you were like, well, kind of fat, and your hair was crazy, and those glasses. Not to mention you were weird and quiet and now...” I gave him my darkest look, but he doesn’t stop talking. “You seem normal. And you’re a total babe. If I hadn’t promised Jake I was gonna be good, I would be all over you tonight.” He puts his hand on my thigh. I guess he thinks that’s some kind of compliment.
