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Finally, she says, “Yes, but only if you let me pay this time.AndI’monly saying yes because today was fun and you are rather charming.”Shepokes my chest with a finger. “Butdon’t you try to make me fall for you because it isn’t going to happen.”

Itry to keep the smile that’s threatening to overcome my face from doing exactly that.Inmy head,Ihear the words, “Challengeaccepted,” which leaves me feeling likeI’mthe conflicted one.Thisis not a challengeIshould accept.

ButIhold out a hand, shake hers, and say, “Deal.”

CHAPTER14

MIDNIGHT WALKS AND RASH DECISIONS

MACKENZIE

TherestaurantIchose forJace’sand my “in a restaurant” test meal wasLaFontediCipher, which was a good choice because they served us some of the bestItalianfoodI’veever had.

Butit was also a bad choice because even if you don’t ask for it, as soon as you finish off the breadsticks they brought out (and they are the tastiest breadsticks on the planet), they bring you more.AndIapparently can’t say no to eating my body weight in them.Irub my bloated belly asIdrive back toward my apartment.AlthoughIcan’t sayI’mentirely sad about my choices— the breadsticks were worth it.

Iam still marveling thatIwent on aseconddate withJace, even thoughIsworeIwouldn’t go on any second dates.Itwas a good but also a very confusing date, andIneed to talk it out.Whichis why the string of texts from both my sister and my best friend that came in over the course of an hour during my date was a good thing and not an annoying thing.

Maggie:Idon’t care how late it is— come in and wake me up if you have to— butIwant to hear about your date when you get home. (Justdon’t wake upAddi.)

Maggie:Andbe prepared to not hold back any details and to eat cheesecake!

Livi:Guesswhat?Ijust happen to be inCipherSpringsright now.IthinkI’mgoing to stop by your apartment and hang out until you get home so you can tell me about your date in person.

Livi:Ican’t find your key!

Livi:Doyou not still keep it under that rock back by the corner of the house?

(Ido not.Aspider family moved in next to that rock.Mykey now lives where the mortar between two bricks used to be.Reminderto self: tellLivi.)

Livi:Don’tworry about letting me know.Youjust enjoy your date.ItextedMaggie, and she let me in.

Maggie:Hey, sis!Liviis here and the two of us are just hanging out on your couch, drooling over the cheesecake, so hurry back.Itlooks delicious!

Maggie:Oh, and we’re watching the episode ofFriendswith all the cheesecakes becauseCHEESECAKE!

WhenIleave the restaurant,Imake a group chat with both of them and text,Eatthe cheesecake beforeIget there, because if you want to chat, you have to come on my walk with me.It’sgetting late andIcan’t lose my streak!

Ienter the door into my apartment at the side ofMaggie’shouse, close the door behind me, and then happily sigh against it.ThenIstraighten back up becauseMaggieandLivihave pushed the coffee table against my couch and are on their knees and elbows in my hallway, both looking up at me, forks in hands, guilty expressions on faces, eating cheesecake that is sitting on the floor.Ican respect aTVshow-inspired cheesecake devouring.Ishrug. “Atleast you guys used a plate.”

“Wasit a good date?”Livisays as she stands and straightens her shirt.Maggiestays on the floor for two more bites before she gets up and moves the plate of cheesecake to the coffee table.

Ihang my purse on the rack and drop my keys to the entry table. “Yesand no.Igot so many mixed signals from him that it’s hard to guess what he’s thinking.Allthe mixed signals in my own head aren’t helping, either.Getyour shoes on if you want to hear more.”

Theyboth do and less than a minute later,Iam out in the dark night, walking up the street flanked by two very curious women who are demanding information.Somy mind starts running through everything that happened.Orat least the noteworthy parts.

“SinceImade the reservation,Igot to the restaurant a few minutes early to let them knowIhad arrived.Jacewas already there.”

“Ooo,”Maggiesays as she makes an air tally mark with her finger, “point for him for being early.”

“Andhe lookedamazing.Hewas standing where the golden light from the sunset was hitting him like a professional movie set team had arranged the lighting to show him off perfectly.Hewas wearing a button-down with no tie, the top button undone, slacks, and a jacket.”

Thistime,Livimakes the air tally mark. “Anotherpoint forJacefor being spy movie poster-worthy.Didhe pull out the chair for you?”

“Itwas a booth.”

Livitilts her head. “Didhe sit next to you or across from you?”

“Across.”