Chapter Five
An awkward silence descended.
“Um, are you ready?”
Jake's voice was deep and warm, but Mai heard the same thread of nervousness that had shown up after his near-miss with the drink.
She nodded, feeling slightly braver at the small sign of uncertainty. “Yes, I’d love to go for a walk. But if you’d rather stay here, that’s okay with me as well.”
Jake shook his head. “No, it’s a nice night. I’d love to walk along the water. It’s not every day I meet a girl like you.”
Mai felt her colour deepen, but luckily, Jake missed it. He’d already come around to open her door and now he offered his hand in the same fashion Dustin had to Evelyn. But his gesture lacked the teasing humour, and she knew accepting his hand would imply a promise of something much bigger.
She hesitated for o
