Page 27 of Real Forever
“Is this your first time through the park?”
“Yeah. I can’t believe this has been so close to me the whole time I’ve been in Silver Creek and I’m only finding out about it now. It’s unbelievable.”
The way Jake’s eyes lit up as he stared outside the windows was almost childlike, and Madison found herself more enthralled with watching his reaction than the scenery.
“I know. We’re so lucky. It’s really magical, isn’t it? Lauren and I used to camp here with our dad every summer when we were kids.”
“Oh man, that sounds amazing. I was so jealous of my friends that got to go camping in the summer. My parents wouldn’t be caught dead in a campground, but my best friend in grade seven invited me to go camping with his family for a week and it was the best.”
Imagining a sweet, little Jake laughing and playing in the woods with his friend made Madison smile. “Tell me more about what you were like as a kid.”
Jake chuckled. “Not a lot more to tell. It was a pretty normal, boring childhood. I’m an only child, but there were lots of kids in my neighborhood to play with. Mostly, I studied a lot and rode my bike.” He shrugged. “Very typical upper-middle class, suburban upbringing.”
“What are your parents like? Other than your mom being a music-hating monster?”
“My parents? I don’t know. Normal, I guess? My dad works a lot and my mom stays busy with fundraisers, book clubs, luncheons. It was kind of nice growing up because I had my run of the house most days after school. I could sneak in all the fun stuff they never allowed when they were home.”
“Wow. They sound pretty strict.”
Jake considered for a moment before replying, “I suppose they were pretty strict, but they just want what’s best for me.”
Madison studied Jake’s face, unconvinced. She decided not to press further. Instead, she pulled out her phone.
“I made a road trip playlist for us.”
“Yeah? Sweet. Pop it on.” Jake turned on the stereo and touched the Bluetooth icon. He smiled as the first few beats filled the car. “You have a genuine talent for this, you know?”
“At what?”
“This.” He motioned at the stereo. “Making playlists. Finding cool music and pairing it up with other songs that complement and enhance it. It’s amazing.”
Madison’s face flushed. “That’s probably the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.”
Jake and Madison listened to music and chatted for the rest of the drive. They chatted about their high school experiences, Jake’s time at Queen’s, their favorite books and movies. And they laughed. They laughed a lot. It felt like hardly any time had passed when they pulled through the impressive gates of the Hotel Rosemont.
“Do you mind waiting here while I change?” Madison asked as they entered the impressive lobby. The rich wood floors contrasted with the lightness of the wall of floor to ceiling glass and the brass accents.
“Not at all,” Jake smiled.
In the ladies room off the lobby, Madison slipped into her floor length, backless navy gown. She stared at herself in the mirror, smoothing wrinkles and adjusting the slim shoulder straps. Her hands trembled, so she gave them a good shake before touching up her mascara and lip gloss. She stepped back from the mirror and gave herself an evaluating glare from hair to toes.
Ugh. You look fine.She bolstered her courage with one last deep breath before marching back out to the lobby.
“Ok. Ready.” She said to the back of Jake’s head as she approached the large camel leather club chair where he sat waiting for her.
As he stood from the chair, she admired the broad silhouette of his shoulders in his suit jacket, and imagined grazing against his shirt collar while pressing her lips to his neck. As he turned to face her, his smile fell open, his eyes grew wide, and his cheeks flushed deep red.
“Madison,” he whispered, gawking at her.
She grinned. “Do you like the dress?” She shimmied in a slow circle, giving Jake an unfettered view of her nude back.
“It… it’s…” Jake stuttered as if his tongue was stumbling around his mouth. His eyes finally tipped back up to meet hers, “You look incredible.”
Madison couldn’t help the blush in her cheeks and the wide smile spreading across her lips.
He reached his hand out for her. “Let’s go.”
There was a booth set up outside the banquet room, and two middle-aged women sat behind it wearing very official looking postures. Madison approached confidently.
