“I’ll take you,” I can hear the determination in his voice. He takes my hand in his. “Come.”
And I go.
He intertwines his fingers with mine. For a while, I simply stare at our joined hands. I don’t want to admit to myself that his touch is awakening something in me—feelings that have been buried for a long time. I feel some strange energy between us, a magnetic force, that pulls me to him, but I don’t remove my hand from his until he softly pushes me in the passenger’s seat. I’m suddenly surrounded by his smell mixed with the smell of his aftershave, and I’m sure he notices me closing my eyes. As he leans toward me, I flinch and lean back because I was certain he’s going to kiss me, but he only fastens my seat belt. He brings his gaze to my eye level, a few millimeters away from my face. He has the audacity to smile and wink at me. “Where do you live?” he asks.
“Huh, strange how you don’t know that, seeing how well informed you are about me,” I challenge him.
“Hey, I can’t know absolutely everything.”
I guide him to my street. “Here, and left at the traffic light,” I give him the final directions. When we get to the traffic light, instead of turning left, he drives straight ahead. “Um, you missed the turn,” I bite my nail nervously.
“Nope,” he says, a cheeky grin on his face. “I know exactly where we’re going.”
“What are you doing?” I ask confusedly.
“I’m taking you to dinner.” A wide grin still on his face, he is looking ahead.
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am,” he says, proud of himself. “You owe me.”
“Why?”
“Because.” We stop at a small fast food restaurant. A sign by the entrance says ‘Joe’s’.
“Fine,” I raise my hands in resignation. “Where are we?” We enter the dimly lit restaurant; only a few people are sitting at the tables. There’s a TV in one corner which is turned on.
“Well, well, well, look who the cat dragged in. Where have you been?” says the man who approaches us and taps Jake on the back.
“Nice to see you, Joe,” Jake grins. “Table for two?” he asks, and puts his hand on the small of my back. Joe leads us to a semi private table in the corner. We settle at the table, order drinks, and take a look at the menu. “I swear, Joe makes the best hamburgers in the country. Shit, you eat meat, right?” His arrogant smile fades a little.
I decide to play a game, too. “No.” I try to keep a serious face. “I’m vegan.” Jake’s eyes pop out and he scratches his head.
“Crap, I don’t think they serve anything like that here. Shall we go someplace else?”
I’m surprised by how considerate he is. I was sure he was going to run out with his tail between his legs.
“Just kidding. I love meat,” I grin in satisfaction, while he sighs with relief, a big smile on his lips.
“Ha, ha, ha, very funny,” he says, and I nod playfully. His eyes sparkle in mischief as he rubs his smooth chin. “I’ll get back at you,” he points his index finger at me.
“Uh-uh,” I shake my head, his eyebrow raised. “We’re even. After all, you did force me to come here with you.” His smile returns, the one I can’t get out of my head, the one that makes all the women lose their minds. “So... You and Joe know each other?” I ask him as I’m fidgeting with the menu.
“He’s a family friend. He and my dad went to school together.” I listen to him talk about his father, Joe, and all the adventures they all shared. Every once in a while, he puts a hand on his neck, massaging gently, or runs a hand through his thick hair. Joe brings us each a beer. I’m nervous every time I’m near Jake, so I hope beer will help me loosen up a bit. We also get two hamburgers. I’m really hungry. Besides, it smells divine, so I take a bite immediately. Jake was right. It’s delicious, it just melts in my mouth. “So, is this the best hamburger you’ve ever had?”
“Uh-huh,” I say, with my mouth full.
“I told you,” he says smugly. There’s a few moments of silence. Thank God we are eating. Otherwise, it would be awkward. Then Jake speaks. “Have you and Sophie known each other long? How did you meet?”
A smile plays across my lips at his question. “We met at college. We were roommates. And we weren’t friends from the beginning. On the contrary, she hated my guts. I started dating this guy she was in love with.” Of course, I had no idea she was in love with Josh at that time. “After a couple of weeks of bickering I confronted her and asked her straight what her problem was with me. She told me everything; I apologized and assured her I didn’t start seeing him just to spite her. Well, she soon got over her grudge because she met Matt, whom I introduced her to, and we became best friends. They are getting married next year.”