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He paused, considering.
“I’m being honest. I know you may not believe me. But I haven’t been able to not think about you. When we were in the back at the restaurant, and . . .” Jacks’s voice trailed off, his face coloring. “I still feel terrible about what I did. I lied to you and, even though I had good reasons for it, it was wrong of me.”
Maddy studied him. Was he telling the truth?
Jacks smiled. “I mean this in the best possible way: I’m not going to leave you alone until you let me make it up to you. I’m serious. I’ll be here every night. You might as well get me some pajamas and a toothbrush.”
Despite her best efforts not to, Maddy laughed. She looked at Jacks and could see the faintest twinkle of light in his eyes.
“So what you’re saying is that I should just give in and let you make it up to me. Otherwise you’ll be tormenting me like this for the rest of my life?”
“Pretty much. Yeah.”
“Well.” She sighed. “What do you have in mind?”
“Come fly with me.”
“Fly? I can’t fl—I mean, I can’t go anywhere with you right now, anyway.” Jacks sat utterly still, framed by the letters of ANGEL CITY on the hill. “It’s totally out of the question,” she protested. “Besides, I have to work the morning shift tomorrow and my uncle would kill me.”
The Angel remained silent.
“Plus school,” she added, her brow knitted. She could tell by his silhouette that he had folded his arms.
“Maddy, it doesn’t matter if you can’t stand me. Just do it to do something. To make the night yours.”
“What?”
“To live, Maddy.”
“I’m living just fine, thank you very much,” she said, haughty.
“Really? By working the morning shift?” He softened. “Maddy, you have the rest of your life to work the morning shift. I’m asking you to come fly with me tonight.”
Maddy opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. He was unbelievable. Still, she was surprised to realize her pulse had quickened, and she could feel her heart beginning to pound in her chest.
“I have applications, too,” she tried feebly.
“Stop making excuses.” Jacks grinned. Maddy eyed her jeans and gray hoodie folded over the desk chair.
“I’m still mad at you,” she said.
“Understood.”
“And you’re not forgiven for what happened at the diner or how you lied to me.”
Jacks nodded. “It’s a deal. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Jacks reached into his pocket and pressed something. A car alarm chirped in the driveway, cutting up through the night air.
“I thought we were flying?” Maddy asked, confused.
“Yeah,” Jacks said, pulling out his Ferrari keys and jingling them. “Flying.”
• • •
The Ferrari roared as Jacks expertly shifted, hugging the turns of Mulholland Drive. The car rose quickly and effortlessly into the Hills. Maddy had promised herself that she would not enjoy this. In fact, she had had an idea to pout the whole time. That would show him that he hadn’t won. But with the warm leather seat vibrating against her legs and the wind in her hair, Maddy felt the thrill of the moment sifting through her defenses like fine sand.
Jacks navigated a hairpin turn. She shrieked with surprise and held on to the door handle. Jacks looked over and smiled. Ahead, the lights of the Los Angeles Basin beckoned. The most amazing thing, Maddy thought, was that Angel City looked different from inside the Ferrari. It really did. It felt different too. Even smelled different. It wasn’t the run-down, dirty city she knew. It was beautiful.
“I like to come up here at night after everyone has gone to sleep,” Jacks said. The car rounded another turn. “Up here it feels like you’re alone, you know? Away from all the bother. Like the whole city belongs to just you.”
