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“Yeah. And a bar. Cover bands play there on Sunday nights at nine.”
Something immediately warms inside at the idea. A bar and a band—a replay of how we first met.
My openness to it must be written all over my face because he closes in and wraps me into his warmth. “Is that a yes?”
How can I say no now? I inhale his clean scent and revel. “Sure,” I say cheerily. I actually love the thought of it. It can be the grand finale before we exit back into reality. “I just need to go back to the city first thing.”
“I’ll have you to work by eight.”
Perfect. Another night will also give me more time to snoop in the creepy surgical room. I honestly had no idea how I would pull that off during the day.
Before my mind drifts too far into facing Claudia tomorrow with possible empty hands, Jake releases me and motions for me to exit the room first. We’ve done enough stalling and are already five minutes late. I’m sure Magnolia will send one of her strippers to check on us soon.
“After you, babe.”
Babe.
That’s the second time he’s called me that, and I’m not sure I’m crazy about that one either. Maybe it’s the implication. Because it’s a claiming of sorts. An insinuation of more or an after, and nothing can be guaranteed. But at least it’s an improvement over muffin. So, I don’t correct him.
As we wind our way through the house toward the dining room, something springs to mind about our outing to the bar. “You know someone will recognize you tonight.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You’re not worried about it?” I can see Magnolia’s French twist exploding all over her pristine silk rugs when it makes headlines.
“I’ve already got that figured out.” A playfulness dances in his words, but he doesn’t give me more than that. Something else he wants to surprise me with, I’m guessing. Even though he said he was done with those.
A memory of the night we met rolls forward, and I remember thinking he had a beard the entire time until it started peeling off. He was in disguise so he wouldn’t be noticed by the bargoers. He wasn’t skipping out on anything then, he just wanted to be treated like everyone else. Something I immediately admired.
Maybe he has something similar up his sleeve for tonight.
