“For now.” Michelle flashed that damn smile again and strutted off.
The elevator doors opened, thank God.
Jake pushed the button for the doors to close at least ten times before they actually did, and then cheesy music blanketed their awkward silence.
“Sorry,” he finally said, his voice hoarse. “It’s not normally that bad. I mean—”
“Jake,” Char held up her hand. “You don’t have to explain. I know who you are and what you are, okay? Let’s just leave it at that. And who knows? At least now you won’t have to go to the club for your next booty call, right?”
Nostrils flaring, his eyes went cold for a brief moment before he looked away and shook his head. When the elevator doors finally re-opened, he let Char step in front of him and again placed his hand on the small of her back. What was he doing? She’d just pushed him away again and he was still, what? Being nice?
She eyed him suspiciously. “What’s your game here?”
He shrugged as they made their way through the parking garage.“I thought we’d eat before we finish off the whole wedding gift and cake topper thing,” Jake said as he unlocked a white BMW. Seriously, how many cars did the guy have?
“Sure.” Char got into the car and was reminded yet again how many straws she was attempting to grasp by even thinking she could be with a guy like Jake. He was playing with her: that was his angle. The minute she was gone he’d call Legs. “Where to first?”
“Well.” He put the car in drive. Merciful God above, what was he wearing? What type of cologne was that? She leaned forward and felt her face flush when she actually shivered at his scent.
“What are you doing?” Jake asked. The car was back in park. His eyes were twinkling with amusement.
“Er.” Char jerked away. “Just helping you see.”
“See?”
“The traffic.” She pointed behind them to nonexistent cars going by them in the parking garage.
“I think I’ll be okay on my own.” He winked and continued backing out while Char prayed for the car to swallow her whole.
“So this restaurant.” Changing the subject, she dug into her purse for some lip gloss. “It’s by the cake place?”
“Yup.”
“Cool.”
Holy crap. Was it going to be this awkward the entire time? “Thanks, for the flowers. They were really pretty.” There, she made her peace.
“They were yellow.” Jake pointed out as he maneuvered the car onto third street.
“Right,” Char said slowly.
“That means forgiveness.”
“Okay.”
“Just thought you should know.” He shrugged.
“Jake, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
He didn’t say anything. Just kept driving while Char managed not to look like a dog in heat as his smell continued to radiate off of him.
Jake pulled the car into a parking spot by a small restaurant and ran around it to help Char out. “I know it looks like a hole in the wall but it’s really good. I promise.”
The building was old and brick, like most buildings in downtown Seattle. The door to the restaurant was red, and spray-painted beside it was the word “Fork”. Hmm. She shrugged and followed him inside.
People were scattered about, sitting at mismatched tables with checkered tablecloths topped with giant glasses of wine. Hmm, maybe she would like this place after all. Jake grabbed her hand, took her to the corner table, and pulled out her chair.
“You already ordered?” She pointed to the full wine glasses on the table.