Page 20 of The Encounter
Jace leaned back in his chair and scrubbed a hand down his face. “Seth. No.” He shook his head. “I meant, I haven’t dated in a while.”
“Oh.” Seth leaned back in his chair. “Well, that’s the easy part. The hard part is getting them into bed if the date doesn’t go well.”
Jace furrowed his eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure if the date doesn’t go well, I won’t be trying to get her into bed.”
“Whatever you say, dude. Run your own race.” Seth stood up. “I came in here because I noticed you didn’t have anyone scheduled at the VIP bar. Where did you want me?”
“Please work the main bar,” Jace said.
Seth saluted him and walked to the door. “Good luck on your date.” Then he waggled his eyebrows and walked out.
Jace let out a deep breath and looked down at the paperwork in front of him. If he wanted to go on a date with Maddie tomorrow, he needed to finish up, so he wasn’t working until the last second on the night of their date.
But before he could focus on it, he picked up his phone and opened up a text message to her. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, trying to figure out what to write. Words had never been a struggle for him. It had always been easy just to type up a message and drop it out there. If she responded, great. If not, there were plenty more fish in the sea.
But Maddie… damn. He couldn’t drop a text out there and not stress about it going unanswered. He needed her to answer.
He sighed and typed out a fast message and hit send before he could talk himself out of it.
How’s your day going?
He rolled his eyes at himself.That was the best you could come up with?
He stared at the screen, willing her to respond.
When the dots finally danced across the screen, he sat up straighter.
It’s going well. How’s yours?
It’s good. Busy, but good.
Her response was a smiley face emoticon.
He pulled his lip between his teeth.I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Several minutes passed without a response, and he suddenly had the urge to call her.
Stop being so desperate.
Instead, he stood up and walked out into the club. Trudging up the stairs to the VIP section, he spotted Haley behind the bar, getting everything laid out before people arrived.
She paused what she was doing and looked up at him before crossing her arms and leaning a hip against the counter.
“What did you do?”
Jace shook his head. “She hasn’t responded to my text. I’m wondering if I should call.”
Haley laughed. “Jace, come on. She’s probably at work. Itisonly 3 p.m. on a Wednesday.”
“Yeah. You’re right. You’re probably right.”
His phone buzzed, and Maddie’s name lit up the screen. He smiled and immediately opened the text.
I am too.
“Is that her?” Haley asked.
Jace frowned and turned his phone over to Haley. “Yes. Is it weird that she doesn’t sound eager?”
