Page 14 of Jake

“Okay.” He was laughing now. “You know I can't tell you that.”

“I want to know more about her,” Jake said.

“Well, of course you do. But those are questions you need to ask her.”

Jake sat back in the chair. “She's been interesting. I'm a little anxious for this one. Seems a little better than the last one.”

“For sure.”

“I am glad for that, but after the last one, I’m also very nervous about how it will really go.”

“I’m glad you're testing this out for the rest of us. At least we know we won't let Luke pick for anybody next time.”

Jake laughed with him now, completely over his experiences last week. “Yeah, maybe make him go last.”

“Okay.” Cade chuckled. “I think that's the best idea we've had with this nonsense.”

“Did we ever figure out why Evan knew so much about this spot?”

“All he would say is that he’s considering it as a potential business investment.”

They both looked at each other and rolled their eyes, knowing for sure there was more to that story.

Just then, Lauren’s voice came through the phone on Cade’s desk. “Sir, your one o'clock is here.”

“Thank you, Lauren, I'll be right with them.” Cade stood and did one button on his jacket as he walked to the door.

Jake stood himself, following him.

“Sorry, man. I do have a meeting,”

Jake smiled. “Not a problem. I have the day off and it turns out I don't actually know what to do with it.”

Cade laughed. “Neither would I.” Opening the door to the office, Cade walked out.

As Cade greeted his one o’clock appointment, Jake slid around them. A short, stodgy man with a black, ill-fitted suit stood greeting Cade. Jake turned and raised an eyebrow at Cade, who just shook his head. There would be more to that story later.

When the door closed, he looked back at Lauren. “I didn't mean to get you in trouble,” he told her.

“Oh, you didn’t,” she said. “That's just normal when he comes. He's always quite rude with me and assumes that I can't do anything with any capability.”

Jake nodded his acknowledgement. That sounded exactly like Kate's father. “I’ll be on my way. Let me know if he shows back up if you need assistance.” He sent her one of his charming grins.

She blushed again and ducked her head down.

Jake couldn't help but smile as he left the office and went to go find something else to get into, as he had hours before his date tonight.

Several hours later, he was back into the waiting room. Rick wasn’t there this time and he was both grateful and annoyed by the fact that he had no one to talk to. He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. Nobody spoke to him but the host.

He bounced his knee as he waited, eager to finally meet the woman he’d been chatting with. He was five minutes early, but it felt like he was more excited about this date. Overall, this was a completely opposite experience from the last date he’d had here.

They’d been talking for nearly a week now, still with no actual information about themselves, nothing identifiable anyway, and he found himself more compelled to know who she was, to really meet her.

His leg bounced as he waited, and more than once he had to stop himself from running this hand through his hair. Impatience wasn’t a good look on him, he knew that, but it was now fifteen minutes past when the date should have started.

“Screw it,” he mumbled, standing and approaching the host. “Hi, I am wondering how much longer the wait will be for Jake?” he inquired.

“Let me check that for you, sir.” The younger man typed quickly on the keyboard. “They should be getting you anytime. Your date was delayed, but it looks like she should be here soon.”

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