His eyes don’t fail to display appreciation as he takes me in, so I pose while he looks up and down. “Like what you see?”
“Let’s just say you’re lucky we fucked this afternoon, otherwise our evening plans would have been cancelled.”
“Why do you think I lured you to the bedroom?” I ask.
“So pragmatic of you.”
“You’re rubbing off on me, I guess.”
Because of my red lipstick, his amorous kiss settles on my neck instead. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Yep. No bag, no phone… I’m entirely yours tonight.”
“That’s a great idea, actually.”
I watch as he pulls his phone out of his pocket and sets it on the coffee table. “Shall we?” he then wonders, offering me his arm.
“We shall.”
I’m buzzing with excited energy the whole time we go down to the street, then during the drive. Lex decided we’d take a cab, one of those fancy ones, so he can let loose a little and drink, too. But we might aswell have walked, because to my surprise, we arrive at our destination in less than five minutes. When I look outside, I see we’re stopped in front of the old theater on 5th Avenue.
“Stay here,” Lex commands before getting out of the car.
I watch him come around and open the door for me. Delighted by his chivalry, I take the hand he offers and slip out. He keeps my hand in his, tangling our fingers together while a man in a bellhop uniform opens a wide red door for us, allowing us to step into the old building. I’ve never been here before, but I’ve passed it enough times to realize this is a Broadway theater, not a movie one.
“Are we here to see a play?” I wonder.
“No, they’re between productions.”
“Oh …”
I’m about to ask something else when we pass through the door, and the magnificent surroundings distract me. Jesus, this place is sumptuous… Every inch of the lobby is filled with ornate red-and-gold detailing, carved wooden dragons, pagoda-style balconies, and lanterns. It feels like stepping into an opulent, old-world Chinese palace.
“Wow,” I breathe out.
“I take it you’ve never been here before.”
“No, you?”
“A few times. My mother loved seeing plays, and she dragged me along to show off her certified genius son.”
My hand tightens around his, compelling him to meet my eyes. “Baby, we don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. We can go literally anywhere, and I’ll still have a great evening.”
“No, it’s good. After tonight, I’ll have far better memories of this place than those old ones.”
When I pucker my lips for a peck, he gives me a careful one, barely anything. I return my attention to the lobby, and only now notice how empty it is. “Are we early?”
“We’re right on time.”
“Did you rent the whole—”
“Good evening, sir,” an older man in a bellhop uniform greets us. “Ma’am,” he adds, bowing a little. “I believe you are the Colemans.”
Neither of us corrects him—on the contrary, we nod. And as silly as it is, it makes my heart beat a little faster. One of his colleagues helps us out of our coats, and the old man extends a graceful arm toward the snack bar.
“Get anything you want,” Lex says with indulgence, “but keep in mind we have a dinner reservation after this.”
I really must be part raccoon, because I perk up at that. “Really?”
