Waking Up With You by Sofie Hartwell Read Free Book Online Page B

I carefully undress and put back my own outfit. We go to the counter and I reluctantly hand my new credit card to the saleslady and she starts to put the gown in a garment bag. It certainly didn’t take long for me to break my promise not to use the cards Jake gave me. I sigh and cross my fingers that Paige was right about me needing something elegant to wear.
    We leave the shop and go next door, where Paige splurges on a pair of running shoes and some tops for the gym. I check out Barneys New York and find a present for Jake. It’s a quirky blue tie with building blueprints. Either he’ll love it or hate it. I’m praying it’s the former.
    After some window shopping at Topshop and Anthropologie, Dylan’s Candy Bar is our last stop. Paige gets some sour candy while I get a dark chocolate candy bar. Can’t ignore the sweet tooth. We head off to the car, shopping bags in one hand and candy in the other.
    I drop off Paige at her house and, after a quick hug, she says, “Do not return that dress, Em. I know you, you’re already secretly regretting having bought it.”
    Of course, she can see right through me. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I lie.
    She looks at me sternly and says, “Yeah, right.” I can’t help but smile.
    “Okay, my partner in crime, I gotta go. I hope Jake’s not home yet. I didn’t realize it was this late. But I sure had fun.”
    “We’re leaving for Hawaii next Monday. I’ll see you when we get back.” She blows me a kiss and I go home.

CHAPTER 4
    As I enter the driveway, I see Jake scowling at me. I step out of the car and say, “Hi Jake. How long have you been home?”
    “Long enough,” he responds shortly. “Don’t you pick up your phone?”
    I quickly take my cell phone out of my purse and see at least half a dozen missed calls, and some text messages. “I’m sorry. I probably didn’t hear the ringing because I was in a noisy, crowded area.”
    “It’s eight o’clock. We were supposed to have dinner, remember?” he asks icily.
    “We were? I thought you were just being polite, but didn’t really mean it,” I say without filtering my thoughts.
    “I see. Obviously, you’re harboring a misconception. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Do you?”
    “Do I what?”
    “Ahh, never mind, Emma. You’re probably tired, and so am I. Let’s just call it a day,” he says in a monotone.
    “No, wait, Jake. I’m sorry. It’s just that last night you came home really late, so I thought you might do the same thing again. We can go have dinner wherever you like. I’ll drive.” I smile a bit nervously.
    “I made reservations for seven, so we won’t be able to get a table now.”
    “There are hundreds of restaurants. We can go somewhere else.”
    “Any ideas then?” he tries to be conciliatory.
    “How about the best burgers, fries, and shakes in town?” He looks questioningly at me. “In N Out,” I say excitedly.
    “God, I haven’t eaten there in years. Okay, why not? You drive and your treat,” he says, finally smiling.
    “But, I warn you, don’t be impatient. The drive thru line is usually long.”
    “I waited long enough for you. I can wait a while longer,” he says in a last effort to make me feel guilty.
    We head out to the In N Out branch on First Street. True enough, the line is really long. A female employee with a headset and a handheld portable ordering system stops us midway to the cashier and takes our order. We go all out with double-doubles, fries, and chocolate shakes. After fifteen minutes, it’s our turn at the cashier and we get our orders. The server is an attractive blonde around my age, and she gives Jake a flirtatious smile. I say ‘thank you’ as I reach for the box but I can’t make an effort to smile.
    “Do you want to park and eat inside the car?” I ask Jake.
    “What do you normally do?” he asks me in return.
    “I’m bringing you to the best skyline view at night in Los Angeles,” I reply. He looks at me doubtfully and