Page 21 of The Encounter
Haley scrolled through the very few messages between them. “Well, it’s almost impossible to tell someone’s emotions through a text message, so I wouldn’t worry about it. She said yes to the date and hasn’t backed out, so she wants to go.”
Jace took his phone back. “That’s true, I guess.”
She laughed. “Jace, just because she isn’t throwing herself at your feet, doesn’t mean she isn’t excited. I know that’s not what you’re used to, but welcome to the club.”
He rolled his eyes. “Get back to work.”
“You interrupted me.”
“Yeah yeah,” he called as he walked away, her laughter following him down the stairs.
8
Jace drove down the streets of a neighborhood in an older part of town. The houses in the area were small, but well taken care of with a lot of charm.
He pulled up in front of a small white house. The paint was chipping and needed some love, but the trimmed lawn was green and various plants were in the planters out front.
He stepped out of the car before smoothing down the front of his shirt and jacket. Then he leaned into the car and pulled out three red roses bundled together with baby’s breath and wrapped delicately in colored paper.
Jace walked up to her front door and knocked.
“Oh, for me?” Kayla smiled brightly when she pulled the door open.
He laughed and stepped inside when Kayla gestured for him to come in before glancing around the small entryway. Wood floors led off in a few directions, and a small blue rug sat in front of the door he had just entered. The floors were worn, but still in decent condition. A small coat rack was off to the side, with a few jackets hung on it with a nearby door, which he assumed was a closet. A narrow staircase in front of him led up to another floor, which he knew led to a few bedrooms, one of which was Maddie’s.
“Hi Kayla. It’s nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you. So, where are you two kids going for dinner?”
Jace glanced at the stairs, half expecting Maddie to walk down at any moment. He almost felt like he was back in high school and waiting for his date to come down for prom, while her father asked him twenty questions.
“Actually, I’m taking her back to my place.”
Kayla raised an eyebrow. “Really? Expecting to get some?”
“Kayla!” Maddie exclaimed as she came down the stairs.
All the air whooshed out of Jace’s lungs at the sight of Maddie. She wore a knee-length black dress, fitted perfectly to her curves. She pinned her red hair in loose curls around her face, and the red heels she had on begged to be looked at.
“Damn, girl,” Kayla said. “I guess I should expect him to want some.”
Maddie’s eyes widened as she shot Kayla a glare. Kayla only raised her hands and laughed.
“You two kids have fun now. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She cackled and disappeared into the living room.
Jace turned his eyes back to Maddie and smiled before holding the roses out to her. She took them and held them up to her nose.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She held up a finger and disappeared into the kitchen for a minute before returning with a jacket and no flowers. “I wanted to get those in water. Ready?”
He nodded and held out his arm, which she took. They walked down to his car, and he pulled the passenger door open for her, taking her hand to help her inside before closing the door.
When he sat down inside of his car, he turned toward her. “I realize this isn’t the most traditional dinner, but I figured we could have dinner back at my place.”
She tilted her head. “Jace, I’m not going to sleep with you on the first date, despite me blowing you the first time we met.”
