Page 10 of Their Favorite Game

"Hi." I grabbed her hand and shook it.

"Aren't you just beautiful?" Gloria pulled up a chair from a nearby table and sat down. "Tell me everything."

"Huh?" I stared at her.

"Like how you two met. How long you guys have been dating." Gloria clasped her hands together. "Are you going with him to New York City? Oh, is this an engagement dinner? Oh no, did I ruin it?"

"Gloria!" Jake snapped.

"Hush, I'm asking her." Gloria waved her hand at him.

"It's our first date," I whispered.

"No way." Gloria's eyes widened. "How can that be? He has never taken a girl here."

"She is special." Jake glared at Gloria. "Please, you can interrogate her when she is more prepared next time."

"Okay, I will." Gloria stood to leave. "Order the tiramisu for dessert. Dinner is on me tonight."

"Thank you," I stuttered as she left.

Jake was right about the pasta. It tasted exactly like his mom's. I barely spoke as I shoved the food in my mouth. Had I been on a date with someone else, I would have been embarrassed about my eating habits. Growing up next to Jake, I had eaten in front of him hundreds of times.

When dessert came, I had no room left for it. The waitress had sparklers in the tiramisu, which made everyone turn to us as if we were celebrating an anniversary or something special. Since everyone was looking at us, I took a bite. Then another bite. Before I knew it, I had eaten the entire delectable dessert. It was moist and sweet and tickled the senses with a hint of coffee. I loved it.

A warmth spread through my chest as I stared at Jake. I didn't have any dating experience to compare it to, but this had to be a one-of-a-kind experience. Everything with him was so easy, yet I couldn't stop thinking about Matty and Rex. Why did I have to crush on three people?

Jake took my hand as we left the restaurant and led me to his truck. He opened the door for me and helped me up before walking around to the driver's seat.

"Thank you," I said softly as he started the engine.

Jake turned to me with a smile. "For what?"

"For everything. The dinner, the surprise, Gloria, being here with me tonight. It means a lot."

He reached over and took my hand in his. "I asked you out, remember? Now, I'm not ready to end the date. Are you?"

I shook my head, my insides vibrating. "No, I'm not ready either."

"Good." Jake pulled out of the parking lot and started driving in the opposite direction of my house.

"Where are we going now?" I bounced in my seat.

"It's a surprise." He winked at me.

CHAPTER5

Mal

The soft beamsof light from the street lamps illuminated Jake's light brown hair, giving it a tinge of gold. His bright blue eyes lit up with joy as he began to sing, and his voice carried like bells along the night air. His fingertips tapped lightly on the steering wheel in perfect rhythm as he sang.

I fought the urge to lean over and kiss him. Aside from the fact he was driving, I could never just kiss someone. What if they weren't into it? That didn't stop me from staring at his lips. I had spent the last few years imagining what it would be like to kiss him. He had to be a great kisser. Jake dated plenty of girls over the years. I slumped in the chair. Stop thinking about that!

We pulled onto the road that led to the lake. I smiled, realizing where he was taking me. The lake was one of my favorite places. Really, any place where I could swim was perfect. I was on the swim team for years. I could have been better at it, but I had fun. My clumsiness carried over to my front stroke.

Jake parked the truck on the side of the road, and we got out, making our way down to the lake. The moon was full, casting a soft glow over the water. The sound of crickets and bullfrogs filled the air.

Jake took my hand and led me towards the water. "Remember all the times we would come here as kids," he said, his voice soft. "When I first moved here, I never thought I would like it. Then I met Frankie, Matty, and Rex. I never thought one day I would be here alone with Frankie's little sister."

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