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I smirk at the way she’s already orientated with parts of the city.
“Nope, I’ve got another surprise.” I reach for her hand and look at her with a broad smile. I haven’t been able to stop smiling. Forget my parents and their attempts to ruin my happiness. Forget my job and meetings and showings. She’s all that matters. She makes everything better. She makes my stress melt away.
“Okay,” she nods happily and follows along for the ride.
I stop in front of a small hotdog joint, ready to open the door.
“Uhhh…” Her caramel eyes round.
“Come on.” I nod, holding back my smirk.
She nods and enters, standing quietly beside me. Her fingers twist together as she looks around the place. It’s dated and smells like boiled hotdogs.
“What can I get ya?” The middle-aged man lifts his chin in my direction.
“Ten foot-long dogs and a pound of relish, please.”
“Hudson?” Lex tugs my hand. “We ate.” Her eyes grow like saucers.
“Yeah,” I try to keep it cool.
“Right this way.” The man nods and opens the door to the bathroom.
“What in the…” Lex stares up at me.
“Knock fives times,” is all the man says, and I grab Lex’s hand and pull her through the dark hallway.
“I’m so confused. This isn’t a bathroom. What the… Ow.” I hear a slap against the wall.
“Are you okay?” I stop and reach out for her. The hallway is poorly lit, giving me just a glimpse of her face.
“Yeah, yeah. I hit something, trying to reach out my hand. Maybe a lamp or something on the wall?”
I chuckle and grab both of her hands, setting them on the back of my shoulders so she can follow blindly. When I reach a door, I knock five times and wait.
The door swings open, and music streams out of it. A dim room opens before us, and Lex gasps.
“Oh my goodness! Is this a speakeasy?” I find her mouth dropped open and eyes full of surprise.
“Yup.”
“Good, because I was so confused when you ordered ten foot-long hotdogs. I was about to kick you without the man seeing.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Seeing your reaction was priceless.”
After giving the doorman my name, we take a seat on a loveseat reserved for us. A small round marble table sits in front of us with a tea candle. The entire bar is inspired by the twenties with a retro decor that feels like you have entered a portal to the past. The waiters and waitresses are dressed for the era. Jazz music sounds from the speakers. The only thing that’s proof of being in the present is the customers dressed in regular clothes and their smartphones.
“This is so cool.” Her excitement pulses all around her.
“It is,” I nod. “Let’s have a drink, yeah?”
We both lean in close together and look at the drinks menu. I inhale her perfume, dizzy from her. She’s better than any cocktail.
“The Mary Pickford sounds good. So does the Scofflaw,” Lex looks up at me. Despite the low light setting in the bar, her face is illuminated.
“I’m going to have the Scofflaw,” I tell her, unable to take my eyes off her. I’m mesmerized.
“So I can order the Mary Pickford, and you’ll let me try yours?”
