Entangled (26 page)

Noah: Perfect.

I jump in the shower, taking the quickest one ever. Of course I washed my body and hair; I just didn’t shave my legs this time. I hug my towel close to my body when I get out. I walk through the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. Andi bursts through the door with grocery bags in both hands. I rush over to help her set them on the table. “Thanks.”

“What’s all this?”

“I figure you’re going to be out tonight, so I need to fend for myself. I got TV dinners to go with my chick flicks and ice cream. I’ll need it.” She beams at me. I smile back. I take a good look at her, noticing the circles under her eyes.

“Andi, are you not sleeping?” She waves her hand dismissively. “Do you want me to stay here tonight?”

“Please, go out and have fun. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ve got a date with Paul Walker. Got all of his movies, well the ones that were worth watching. I’ll be fine.” She tries to smile. I can see something is bothering her. I feel guilty. She looks like hell. I hug her shoulders, kiss her cheek and then retreat to my room, closing the door to get ready for the night.

“My dad started chemo today.” Andi startles me as she sticks her head in. I wave her in, she sits on the bed. I step out of my closet and turn around to face her, keeping my emotions from showing on my face.  “I’m sorry; I don’t mean to bother you. I just wanted to tell you. Keeping myself busy is essential right now, which is why I took extra shifts at the restaurant.”

I join her on my bed and take her hand, “Don’t apologize for telling me. I’m here for you. I’m going to go through this with you and we’re going to get through it together. If you need to cry, let it out. Don’t hold it in; it will only make it harder.” Her head bobs up and down and she lets her head fall into my shoulder. I can feel her body quiver. I take a deep breath and hug her tight.
Be strong Maddy, you have to be strong for her.

We’re both silent for a while and then she lets out a breath and bumps my shoulder with hers. “Okay, get dressed young lady, you have a date tonight.” She kisses my head.

I slip my neutral panty hose on before my dress. It’s a long black gown that cris crosses with the opening at the bodice. There’s a slit at the front and it almost hits the floor. Thank God for my heels, otherwise I’d trip on it. And if that’s not embarrassing on a first date. In the back the material is see-through. I have a wrap that goes over enough to cover my bare arms. Maybe I’m overdoing it, but whatever. I feel sexy in it.

Once my dress is on I start curling my hair in the bathroom. Andi applies my make-up, minimum. I never had a mother to teach me to properly apply make-up, but I had an Andi. Although, I choose to wear very little. I don’t see the point in covering up your natural face. Or maybe I just didn’t know how so I just didn’t try it. Andi enjoyed turning me into her dress up doll, only when I gave her permission to, which wasn’t that often.

“Ouch.” I burn my hand with the curling iron. Bringing it to my mouth, I suck on my skin to bring some relief.

“Here, stick it under the faucet.” Andi turns on the water, grabbing my hand to run it in cold water. “I’ll finish your hair.” I smile and thank her. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, admiring her work. The make-up is very minimal but it’s perfect.

“You should be a make-up artist.” I tell her, squinting my eyes to see the color better. It’s a light brown color, bringing the hazel in my eyes to stand out.

“You think? I don’t think I’d have the patience or desire to touch anyone’s skin. But I thought about it once. Hmm, maybe I will give it a serious thought as a side job.” I catch a glimpse of the curls as they hit the side of my face; the warmth feels good on my skin. “Touching your face never bothered me, you were always my doll to dress up.” She scrunches her nose affectionately. I laugh. “Done.” Andi unplugs the curling iron and sets it aside. I turn my head from side to side, watching the curls bounce around my shoulders.

“I love it.” I beam and hug her.

“Noah is going to have a hard time keeping his eyes off of you, chica. You look hot.” I blush.

“Thanks. I feel pretty sexy. I owe it all to you.” She scoffs. But it’s true. If I had my way, I’d just go in jeans and a blouse. I’m not one for dressing up, but I’m finding it actually enjoyable to be admired or thought of as “sexy”.

It’s 7:15 and I’m a nervous wreck. I pace the living-room. “Is this helping, Maddy? She smirks, amused at my apprehension.

“I’m fine. I’m just nervous. I want tonight to be great, wonderful, a night to remember. First dates are everything.” I’m spewing off a bunch of crap that I don’t really believe, although first dates are everything. Or at least, they’re important.

She grabs me by the shoulders, halting me and looking into my eyes. “You can start by staying calm and relax. It’s just a date, not the apocalypse. Of course dates have been known to turn out worse than apocalypse.” I glare at her and she closes her mouth. I’m so not finding this funny. But it’s nice to see her humor come out, so I relax my face. “Okay, just think of it as two people having dinner and talking, getting to know one another. No expectations, nothing. Just have fun, laugh and be yourself.” I can do this. I take a deep breath and nod.

A knock at the door shakes me out of my stupor. Before I open the door, I smile, smooth my dress down and let out another breath. Andi gives me the thumbs up gesture.

“Am I too early?” A very sharp dressed and smiling Noah stands in the doorway. I like him in jeans or shorts but seeing him in Khaki pants with a navy button up dress shirt tucked in makes my skin tingle with goose bumps. My eyes rake over his neat appearance with my mouth hanging open. He’s still standing there smiling, slightly uncomfortable and I soon realize I’m gawking at him a little too obvious. I clear my throat and open the door wider and he steps in.

“Sorry, no you’re right on time. Let me get my purse.” He then hands me a box of chocolates. Oh hell, I’m in awe that he had the sense to skip over the flowers.

“I figure chocolates are better than flowers. I didn’t know what kind you liked. And most girls love chocolate, so I couldn’t go wrong there.” He smirks.

“Thank you so much. No, this is perfect. Flowers are so over-rated.” I grab my purse and apartment key. “You look really nice. Am I overdressed?”

“Uh, no. You look beautiful. But if you want, you can bring a change of clothes in case we do something casual.” Oh good idea. I’m already tired of being in a dress. I tell them I’ll be right back, head to my room and grab some jeans and a t-shirt. I hear Andi and Noah talking, catching bits of their conversation. Andi tells him he better have me home by a decent time and Noah assures her I’m in good hands. I smile before I re-enter the room. I shove my clothes and phone into my tote bag. “Are you going to be okay?” I ask Andi.

“Yes, now go have fun. I’ll be fun. I’ve got my date tonight, remember?” I laugh as she practically pushes me out the door. “Say hi to Paul for me, please.” I wink. We walk to his jeep and he opens my door. I feel the breeze on my legs as I climb up, making me shiver.

“Who’s Paul?”

“Paul Walker, the actor. She’s having a Paul Walker marathon tonight.” He nods and shuts my door. After he gets in and turns the car on, I remember something. “Shit, your jacket.”

“It’s okay; you can give it to me when I drop you off. I’ll remind you.” He turns the heater on full blast. We sit in silence for a minute. “So what kind do you like?”

“Huh?” He laughs.

“Sorry, I wasn’t specific. I meant to ask, what’s your favorite flower? For future reference.” I think about it for a minute. I don’t really remember liking flowers that much. They smell pretty but I never had a favorite. No one has ever asked me that before.

“No one has ever asked me that.” I reveal to him, feeling embarrassed that guys have never given me any. All girls have a favorite. “I’m not so much a girly girl. That’s Andi.”

“Well, I think that’s cool. No flowers for Maddy, got it. So what do you like?”

“Music. Chocolate.” I grin. “Oh and rock climbing.” When he raises his eye brows in surprise, I say, “I’m not a typical girl. I like the outdoors.” I lean back, feeling warm enough, almost toasty actually. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Do you like sushi?” The only one I know of is outside of town, but like most of the places we have to drive about twenty minutes or so. I don’t complain.

“Do I? I haven’t had it in a while, but yes, I do like sushi.” He smiles and when he faces forward, pulling out of the parking lot, I take the time to try and memorize his muscles beneath his shirt. I imagine how strong and firm they must look. His hair is slicked back with some gel goo.

“Like what you see?” I quickly look away, heat creeping up my neck in embarrassment.

“I like that color on you.” I look out the window, not daring to look at him.

“I like that dress on you.” I finally look at him and he winks.

“Thank you. So where is this sushi place anyway, Japan?” I quip.

“Ha ha. No it’s not far. But I wanted to play a game real quick. You up for it?” I love games so I shake my head yes. It’s dark aside from the lights on the side streets and buildings.

“Have you played the ABC game?” Oh I love this game.

“Yep, I’m pretty quick in this game.”

“Is that right? Well, let’s go.” I straighten in my seat with my tongue sticking out of my mouth as I scan the area. I spot my first one and blurt, “Angelos.” It’s a Mexican restaurant, I’ve never been to.

“Apache.” Noah says. I see a sign for a street name.

“Braums.” Ooo, ice cream. “Closed.” I’m on a roll.

“Damn, you’re quick.” I laugh. “Bar.” Shit, he’s catching up. I search for a D word.

“Dairy.” Another ice cream place, alright, I’ll get some ice cream geez. My stomach growls.

“Cash.” Noah shouts, startling me. “Sorry, cash.” He whispers. “Okay, I passed my exit…we’ll finish this later. I’m starving.” He whips a U-turn at a light heading the opposite direction. Crap, the word ‘exit’ would work right about now. But I don’t say it since we’re putting this game on hold.

“Exit.” I shout, even though I’m cheating. He makes a face, I lift my shoulders innocently. “What? I thought we were still playing.”

“You’re cheating. I said we’d finish it later or did you choose not to hear that?” I hold in my laugh when I look at his serious face.

“I’m not a cheater.” I stick my lip out in a pout. He smacks his lips together considering it for a moment. “Fine, you can have your word…this time. We’re here now.” Tonight is going to be great.

Noah

Ordering food is hard because I don’t know what I want. Looking at the menu is the last thing I want to do when all I can think about is the girl sitting across from me. I wanted to do something guys usually do on first dates, but being that I didn’t know her favorite flower, I settled on chocolate. It worked, so that was a plus. But now I need to remember that she doesn’t like flowers. It kind of surprised me that no one has ever asked her what her favorite flower is. But now I know not to get her any. It’s so cliché anyway, so I’m glad I skipped it.

I try not to act obvious, but I peek over my menu at her in her dress. She looks gorgeous. Her hair is curled again, which I’m beginning to appreciate more. I always notice how natural her face is each time I see her. She’s not a make-up girl, and that makes me smile. Too many girls cake the shit on and then it’s a pain in the ass to take off, I can only imagine. But I’d prefer the more natural look anyway. Why hide your beauty? Girls assume guys like looking at a mask as opposed to the real girl beneath it.

“I know what I’m having.” Maddy closes her menu, startling me. “What about you?” I clear my throat and direct my eyes back to the menu.

“I think I’ll have Tako.” I close my menu.

“Is it good? I’ve never tried Octapus.” I smile, impressed she knows what it is. I set our menus at the edge of the table and lean forward with my elbows propped up, hands under my chin.

“I’ll let you try some.”

“Okay.” Her eyes take in her surroundings. When she finally catches me staring at her, I don’t look away. I’m doing things differently, earning her trust and I won’t look away just because she catches me looking. It’s silly. I’m done playing games.  When the waiter takes our orders, I let her go first.

“You like squid?” I ask, fascinated. She looks at me and shrugs.

“I’ve actually never tried it but I’m up for trying new things.” This girl is definitely unpredictable and that’s a relief. I find predictable boring.

“I’m impressed.” I smile, leaning back against the seat. It’s a nice place. The lights are dim and there’s a bar, it’s called the conveyor belt for sushi. We didn’t sit there though. I wanted something more private. The restaurant is quaint and not too crowded. For a Friday, you’d think it would be. But it’s small and I think everyone goes to the other, bigger sushi bars. I’m not complaining. In New York, they had several sushi bars on the strip, down the road from me. I could walk to them, I sometimes did, especially if I drank too much. Tonight, I only have water.

“So what’s your idea of a first date?” Maddy asks, pulling me out of my daze. The waiter brings us our drinks. I guess the past will be brought up whether I want it to or not. I take a sip of my water and swallow, hoping I don’t choke on my nerves. I push my glass aside and lace my fingers together on top of the table.