Page 28 of Jake

“Oh, am I dressed okay?” She moved in front of her desk.

What was he supposed to say? She looked great, and he had no complaints. “You look great.”

“You sure? I don’t want to be underdressed.” She sucked in her bottom lip as she worried.

“You look great, really,” he promised and held out his hand for her. He’d take her wherever she wanted, buy her a new outfit if that’s what it took as long as she said yes.

“I better see both of you tomorrow,” Cade warned.

Jake didn’t acknowledge him as she slipped her hand into his. She had her purse over her other shoulder and a shy smile graced her face as he led her out of the office and to his car.

He opened the door for her and waited for her to get settled before he shut it and went around to the driver’s side and got in.

“What are you in the mood for?” he asked as he started the car.

He had a place in mind but wasn’t sure if she wanted to go. The restaurant he would typically take a date to didn’t feel quite right in this moment.

“I thought you knew where we were going?” she asked.

“I had a place, but I want to see what kind of food you want before we decide. No need for me to just pick. I want you to have a good time too.”

“Oh.” She thought on it as he navigated out of the parking garage. “I hadn’t thought about it. Usually I stay in and we get pizza and watch a movie.” She shrugged it off. “Not very exciting, I know.”

No plan had sounded better. He’d like to spend the evening chatting and watching a movie with her, away from other people and cameras that were sure to find him.

“We can do that if you want?” he offered, praying she’d say yes. “No pressure to do anything other than that, scout’s honor.”

“Were you a Boy Scout?” she teased.

“Well, no, but the sentiment is universal, I think.”

“You know what?” she began, looking over at him. “Why not?”

“Seriously?” he asked as a reaction.

“If you are.”

He glanced over at her, trying to gauge her interest in this only to realize he had made her nervous again with his reaction. Her hands twisted her purse strap in her lap as she looked out the window.

“I am, very. I was just surprised that you were okay with it,” he admitted.

“Should I not be?” she asked.

“It’s just . . .” He debated how honest to be with her, opting to just spit it out. “. . . most dates want to be taken out somewhere.”

“I told you before I’m not like most of your dates.”

“You did say that, and thank God for it.” He meant it too.

The last bit of the drive was in silence as they made it to his apartment. He wasn’t hosting poker night this weekend and had never been more happy about that. That meant his apartment was empty.

“I need to tell Catherine I won’t be there.” She pulled out her phone.

“Tell her thanks for me. I think this is about to be the best date.”

She typed into her phone as they pulled into his parking garage. The valet met them as he pulled inside and Jake opened the door, handing him the keys before walking around and opening Lauren’s.

He took her hand to help her out but held fast to it as they walked to the elevator. He didn’t want to take her through the lobby. For now the only person who knew she was here was the valet, and he wanted to keep it that way.

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