“Okay,” she said, nodding her head and rubbing her hands about her cold arms to get some warmth. “Dinner it is, then. What time?”
“How about straight after work? What time do you finish?”
“I finish at five,” she said, inserting the key to start the engine.
“How about six thirty? Gives you time to go home and change.”
“Why can’t we just meet at like a quarter past five or something? I don’t need to change.” She looked up at him in the dimness of the night.
Doesn’t she need to change? Now that was new to Jay. He thought every woman wanted to shower and change into something nice before they go out for a dinner date. Apparently not this one. Maybe she didn’t think this was supposed to be a date.
“That’s cool. It’s up to you. Five fifteen it is, then.”
“Can we go to SAN? I missed my salmon. You’re paying, right?”
“Yeah, it’s on me. SAN it is. Good night.”
“Night, Mr. McCartney,” she said and shut the door.
Jayden watched as she drove away into the darkness. “Mr. McCartney, huh?” he mumbled as he made his way back into the house.
He found Peter by himself in the living room. He joined his friend on the couch and watched the sports news Peter currently had on TV. The Kiwis loved their rugby, and he found himself falling in love with the sport too—what with the kicking, tackling, and vigorous running. But he wasn’t a fan of that Dan Carter guy who did ads for all kinds of things, especially for Jockey. Apparently, all the girls adored him because of his good looks. He wondered if Alex was one of them.
A moment later, when the ads began, Jayden said, “What’s wrong with Alex’s dad?”
Peter glanced sideways at his friend. “Interested, are you?”
Jay grinned. “If she’s going to be my girlfriend, I have to know what’s going on in her life.”
Peter chuckled. “You mean your fake girlfriend?”
“Nobody is supposed to know except you, me, and Alex. Got that?”
“Got it. And Alex’s dad Jacob has heart problems. Long story short, if he gets any worse, he needs a heart transplant. I personally think he needs it right now, but Alex doesn’t have the money.”
“I see,” Jay said, nodding his head.
They both were silent as the ads ended and sports news continued. Jayden sat there and watched, though his interest had already waned. He was thinking about Alex and her dad. She needed money for her dad’s heart transplant. Maybe that was part of the reason she had agreed to help him.
He smiled at the thought.
* * * * *
Jayden strolled the short distance to SAN and waited for Alex to turn up. He found the place pleasant this evening as compared to the hectic pace of that Saturday afternoon. The mood and the atmosphere were just right for a first date. The lovely soothing Southeast Asian music, the golden hue of light from the waterfall chandelier, and the cozy décor of red, gold, and brown all set the theme for a romantic night. A pretty young waitress placed two menus in front of him, poured him a glass of water, and politely told him she’d be back when his friend arrived. Jay nodded pleasantly and then scanned the menu. A moment later, he saw Alex entering the restaurant.
“Hey,” she said, sliding into the chair opposite him.
“Hey,” he replied. “How was work?”
“Good. Have you ordered?” she asked, taking off her jacket.
“No, I was hoping you’d be able to help me,” he said sheepishly.
“That I can,” she replied, picking up the menu. “Don’t worry. The food here is very healthy. Do you like barbeque?”
“Yep.”
“Good. I think you should go for the Fusion. You get all kinds of barbeque meat in Cambodian style.”
“Sounds good. I’ll have that.”
“Okay,” Alex said, smiling.
Once the young waitress had taken their orders, Jay held out the shopping bag toward Alex.
Alex glanced up to see the pink bag, which looked oddly familiar, dangling in front of her. “For me?”
He nodded. She took it and peeked inside. She saw the neatly folded singlets and bra. The singlets were exactly the same as the one he spilled beer on, and the bra was unlike any she had ever used before. This one was pretty with pink laces and frills. She usually wore plain black or white. She blushed and gazed at him, her eyes large.
“You don’t have to do that, you know.” She couldn’t imagine how on Earth he managed to buy her underwear.
“I know, but I want to, considering the fact that I’ve destroyed your singlet. Well, aren’t you going to thank me?”
Alex blushed. “Thank you.” She didn’t mind accepting the gift. After all, he did damage her singlet. Not that it was completely damaged, of course. It was still wearable.
“Hey, I’ve got something for you as well,” she said and took out his jersey from her bag. “Here.”
“Oh, whoa, thank you very much. You didn’t forget after all.”
“Nope, I didn’t. Okay, let’s get down to business, then.”
Jay leaned forward. “Look, I’ll be leaving in two days’ time. How much are you asking?”
Alex bit her lip. “Are you sure you don’t mind about the price?”
“Nope.”
“Thing is I’m not exactly sure as yet. Can I tell you when I know? It’s the full price for Dad’s heart transplant.”
Jay studied her for a moment and then nodded. “Sure, that’s fine. But since I’m leaving soon, I’ll give you my cell phone number and my e-mail address. How about that?”
Alex agreed with a nod of her head.
Their food arrived, and Alex watched as Jay enjoyed his various barbeque meats marinated in sauces he has never tasted before.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 7
Eight Weeks Later
NEW YORK CITY, USA
Alex was tired and frustrated. Finally, she thought with some small triumph, she had arrived in New York City. Now standing there in the lobby of LaGuardia Airport, she just wanted to collapse on the floor and rest. Where was Jayden anyway? Oh, God! What if he forgot to come and get her? Well, she couldn’t blame him if he had because she was late. She was supposed to arrive yesterday afternoon. But being the clumsy, inexperienced traveler she was, she managed to miss the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and then the rest was history. She was still upset she missed that flight. It was first class. Now she would never know what it was like sitting in that luxurious, comfy seat with the airhostess serving her every need. Damn!
Turning her attention back to her dilemma, she thought if she didn’t see Jay within the next five minutes, she’d take a taxi and check into the nearest hotel. Then she’d give him a ring to tell him where she was.
She dragged her luggage across the vast terminal and walked toward the rows of seats near the window. She searched around just in case Jayden was somewhere nearby, waiting for her. When she saw only the faces of strangers, she sighed and slumped on the seat.