Page 14

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

JADEN

I t’s been an entire week since I was last with Annalise, seven whole days since my lips were against hers. I seriously can’t wait to see her. All the practice, games, and traveling that playing in the NHL entails doesn’t leave a ton of time to date. Pair my schedule with Anna’s, who seems to work around the clock, and it’s nearly impossible to find a time when we’re both free.

Until Anna, I’ve never been on a date planned by someone else. Yet tonight is solely made possible by Anna’s friend, Miranda. It seems as if I have someone else to thank for every moment I’ve spent with Anna—a fact Max doesn’t let me forget, seeing as I’ve yet to find a suitable thank-you gift for Penny.

I pull up in front of the studio where instructed and step out of my car. Running my palms down the black peacoat I was asked to wear, I button it up, ignoring the photographer evident in my peripheral. Everything from this jacket to my button-up shirt, jeans, and leather loafers is part of the plan. Miranda sent over an actual screenshot from Pinterest of what I should be wearing to achieve the desired look.

Anna emerges from the building, and if I’m the king of this orchestrated yet supposedly candid autumn photo shoot, I see that she’s my queen in her oversized cream-colored cashmere sweater, tight jeans, and knee-high boots. She carries a large chestnut-brown Birkin bag. Long, loose blond curls fall over her shoulders as we make our way toward one another. The entirety of this meeting may be choreographed for the camera, but nothing about the smile across my face is fabricated. My whole body hums with anticipation as we get closer to one another. My heart beats faster as the space between us closes.

When she’s finally within reach, I cup her face with my hands and crash my lips to hers. Holy hell, I’ve missed this. I’ve thought of little else since the last time we kissed. I’ve built our first kiss up so much in my head, I was starting to wonder if a second could possibly live up to it. But it does—it’s just as sweet and perfect.

Anna’s arms circle around my back, holding me closer to her body as her lips move across mine. All concept of time vanishes as we stay at this moment, a hundred percent staged yet utterly raw. I finally garner the strength to pull my mouth away. Her pink lips appear swollen, and it makes me want her more.

She giggles and presses her face against my chest. I hold her in my arms and kiss her head.

“We are good at this,” I whisper, my lips against her hair. “Ready to go?”

“I think that’s probably a good idea.” She takes a step back.

Holding her hand in mine, I lead her toward my car. I open the passenger door, and she gets in. Once I’m in my seat and my door is closed, we both exhale.

“How was that?” I grin, our conversation safe behind my tinted windows.

“So good.” She shakes her head and releases a small laugh. “You followed instructions to a T.”

“Well, Miranda was quite clear with her instructions.” I scoff.

“She just wanted the pictures to turn out well.”

I start the car and pull out of the lot. “So is it going to be in People Magazine under, ‘Stars—they’re just like us. Their boyfriend picks them up after a long day of work.’ Or, in US Magazine , ‘Annalise Sterling and her beau, the insanely talented and sexy NHL star Jaden Lewis, meet up after a long day for a romantic night out.’”

Anna laughs. “Yeah, probably something like that.”

“You know this isn’t normal,” I tease.

She playfully smacks my arm. “You think I don’t know that?”

“So this is the first time your publicist has tipped off the paparazzi for a staged photo shoot?”

She looks out her window. “Well, no… of course not.”

I chuckle.

“Hey, don’t judge. I’ve been part of this circus my whole life. It’s a give-and-take with those vultures. Sometimes, in order to get any peace, you have to give them something in return. Growing up, if there was a moment that my parents wanted to keep private, we’d set up a photo op with the paparazzi a couple of days prior to the event with the mutual understanding that they’d leave us alone. It’s just how it goes in Hollywood.”

“I get it. It’s all just very strange.”

“It is, but I’m used to it. It’s all I know, honestly.” It’s quiet for a moment before Anna speaks up again. “I can’t wait for dinner.”

“Yeah, me too. You’ve raved about this place so much that I’m dying to try it.” Once the restaurant is in view, I pull the car up to the curb in front of the entrance and retrieve my phone from the cup holder to type out a quick text. “Just letting them know we’re here.”

A few moments later, a thin girl with very dark eye makeup emerges from the restaurant, holding four large brown paper bags by the handles. “Give me a second,” I say to Annalise before stepping out of the car.

“Hi. I’m Jaden Lewis,” I say to the server. “Is this my order?” I ask.

She stares at the ground and gives a subtle nod. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s somehow afraid of me. She holds out her arms with two big bags in each hand.

“All four of these bags are mine?” I verify.

She nods again, but her stare doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Okay, well… thank you so much,” I say to her as I take the bags of food from her. I retreat to the car and place the bags across the back seat.

“What’s going on?” Anna asks once I’m inside the car.

Flicking on my blinker, I check the mirrors and pull into the street. “A little change of plans.”

“Wait, we’re not eating here?” Anna turns in her seat and peers out the back window.

“Nope.”

“Aw.” She sounds sad. “I didn’t even get to say hi to Bethy.”

“Bethy?”

“The server. The one who gave you the bags.”

“You know her?”

“A little, yeah. She was sorta there for me during a difficult night. I was looking forward to seeing her again.” She sighs and turns back around.

“Well, it’s probably for the best. I don’t think she likes me. She wouldn’t even look at me.”

“Oh, that’s just Bethy.” Anna smiles.

“Sorry about that, but I thought, after our paparazzi kiss, we could do something a little more normal tonight instead of closing down a whole restaurant.”

“Like what?”

“Like eating takeout while we Netflix and chill.”

She gasps. “Jaden. I’m not sleeping with you.”

I laugh. “Not that kind of Netflix and chill, like legitimately hanging out, relaxing, and watching something. Like normal people.”

“Oh, okay. As long as you ordered my calamari, I’m good.”

“Oh shit. You wanted calamari?”

“Jaden!”

“I’m kidding.” I laugh. “I didn’t forget. How could I? During our limited text exchanges this week, I think you mentioned calamari every single time. I’m starting to think it’s your whole identity.”

“I did not mention it every single time.” She grins.

“You mentioned it enough.”

“Well, you just wait until you try it, and then you’ll understand.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

A few minutes later, we’ve arrived at the house. Max is out with the guys tonight, which is good for me. Not that it would’ve been that big of a deal if he were here because I have a sofa and big-screen TV in my bedroom, but I’d rather hang out in the living room with Anna. I don’t want her thinking I’m trying to trick her into my bed, especially after the Netflix and chill comment.

Once we’re inside the house, I give her a quick tour, which basically consists of me pointing things out as we walk toward the back of the house to the kitchen. I place the bags on the granite countertop of the kitchen island.

“So you have a roommate, then?” Anna asks.

“Yeah, Max. He’s the best. You’ll like him. He was on the ice opposite me, the other starting defenseman.”

“Where is he tonight?”

“A bunch of the guys are at Eddy’s house.”

“I’ve met Eddy, right? He’s the equipment guy.”

I nod. “Yep, the very one. He usually hosts poker night.” Anna makes a face. “What?” I laugh. “Not a fan of poker?”

She shrugs. “Not a fan of gambling. I think it’s stupid.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, because it is. I mean, I get that you all make good money so you can afford it. I just think the concept of gambling is stupid. You might as well light your money on fire. I’ve never understood why people enjoy losing money like that.”

“It can be fun,” I hedge. “It’s like a game, a competition. We’re a competitive group.”

“Yeah, my dad always had a poker night with some of his friends. I’ve just never understood it. Gambling is not for me.”

“Fair enough.”

“So Max…what does he think about our arrangement?” She looks inside one of the brown food bags.

I pull two plates out of the cupboard and grab some silverware. “I mean, like everyone else, he finds it unusual but is interested to see how it all plays out.”

Anna holds the paper receipt stapled to the side of one of the bags. “Um, Jaden… this isn’t our food.”

“What?” I step toward her.

“It’s an order for Charlene.” She looks at me, her lips pressed in a line.

I look at the receipt on another bag. “This one is for Alexa.”

She walks around the bar and takes the receipt for the third bag. “This one is for Cassie. Oh my gosh. They gave us other people’s orders.”

I grab the receipt from the fourth bag and am relieved when I see my name. “Well, at least, you’ll get your calamari because this one is mine. I knew this was too much food. I asked that server twice if all four of these bags were mine. She said they were.”

“That’s so Bethy.” Anna shakes her head with a smile. “Well, should we take them back?”

“No. I guarantee they’ve already remade the orders. Plus, all the food would be cold by the time we drove everything back, including your calamari.”

“But I don’t want Bethy to get in trouble.”

“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll call and tell them it was my fault and offer to pay for the extra food and give glowing reviews of Bethy’s service, though if I’m being honest, I think she might be in the wrong line of work.”

“No, that’s just part of her charm.”

“If you say so.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket. “Feel free to start dishing up. The remote is on the side table by the couch. Let me make this call real quick. I’m worried about this Bethy chick you love so much.”

“Okay.” She nods, pleased.

A few minutes later, I join Anna on the couch.

“All good?” she asks.

“All good. Bethy lives to serve calamari another day.”

“Good. Thanks for doing that.”

“No problem.” I take a seat on the sofa, plate of food in hand. “How is everything?” I nod toward Anna’s plate.

“Delicious.” She plops a calamari ring in her mouth. “What do you think about Modern Family ?”

I look at the TV. “I’ve never seen it.”

“It’s such a feel-good show,” she says. “My dad was a guest star on season one, and I got to hang out on set. Everyone was so nice. It’s just one of those shows that makes you happy when you watch it. It’s funny, and it always has a great message.”

“Sure. Works for me.” I take a bite of my lasagna.

It’s surprising how comfortable I feel with Anna already. Two weeks ago, she wasn’t even real to me, just merely an obsession. Now we’re hanging out in my living room, laughing at a sitcom and eating pasta. Even with the orchestrated kiss earlier, this is the most real I’ve ever felt on a date.

Let’s face it, dating has always been a precursor to the desired event. Both my date and I have always been clear on where or how the night would end. I’ve never truly wanted to get to know a woman I’ve been with until now. I’ve never hoped for more until now. Anna has changed my brain chemistry completely. With her, I feel… different. I want things I’ve never wanted before. Even when staged, my time with Anna is better than any moment I’ve ever spent with another woman.

I see it. I feel it. And as much as we say it is—our connection isn’t fake. I have to believe that someday—hopefully soon—Anna will see it, too.