nyc prep continued

Jarid changed his own clothes into a non wrinkled shirt and ran a hand through his hair.

Paige ran her fingers through her hair and knocked on the door.

Jarid opened the door with a grin. "Hey. Ready to lose?"

"Are you?" She teased. "You changed."

"So did you," he shrugged.

Braden couldn't help but follow her grin, "good. So ill see you soon?"

"After I win, where are you taking me for dinner?" She asked.

He grinned. "IF you win, there's a little Italian place around the corner. It's delicious. But that's only if you win."

"Yeah I just have to pick up Sasha and get her situated at home." Jaimie agreed.

"if its better we cab go to your place." He offered

Paige grinned, "well let's play. So I can win because that sounds really good."

"No I'd rather be at yours. Sasha will be fine for a night. And there's staff there, she'll be fine." Jaimie assured him. She'd like a night alone, where her younger sister wasn't a few rooms away.

Jarid let her in and they began setting up the game. "You ready?" He asked. Honestly, he saw this game as a win win. He didn't care much how he did.

"Yep," Paige grinned as she started the game. After a few minutes of intense playing she grinned. "I won."

"its settled then." He Saud shifting his bag a little, "ill see you soon." He leaned in for a quick kiss then graded out

"So you did," Jarid nodded, holding back the smile. "You want to go now?"

"Yeah, see you," Jaimie agreed before he walked away.

"Sure," she said. "Unless you're not hungry."

"No I'm good. Just wanted to check," he said as he stood.

She stood and pulled her jacket back on. "are we walking?"

Braden got home and straightened up a little. he wasn't sure what she would want for dinner so he held off on ordering anything


Carl changed as well putting on some dark slacks and a button up shirt with a tie. He didn't really understand why his mom was making such a fuss about everything needing to be just right for company. it was just one girl who probably wouldn't have minded if they had eaten off of paper plates. he slipped out of the house and met lloyd in the driveway

"It's just around the corner," Jarid replied. "Is that okay?"

Brooklynn was ready, she'd put on a little makeup and pulled her hair back, she had to say she looked very nice. Parents had to love her.

Once Jaimie had Sasha home and situated, she left to go to Braden's.

Carl rung the doorbell waiting to see her. they were only going to his house for dinner but for some reason it felt more like a date.

Braden smiled opening the door for Jaime, " welcome." he said with an over emphasized gesture

"Yep," Paige said. She felt like there was more to dinner than just her winning but she didn't want to say anything and make things awkward

"Hey," Brooklynn was at the door in an instant. "How do I look?"

Jaimie laughed. "Thank you." She kissed him on the cheek before entering.

Jarid held the front door open for her, then they started towards the resturant. "Are you cold? It's kinda chilly out..."

"you. look. amazing." he said with a huge smile, " really."


"So what would you like to do first?" Braden asked

"Thanks. You look really good too," Brooklynn brushed a bit of hair behind her ear. "Okay, as long as I look okay, then let's go."

"Whatever you'd like," Jaimie replied as she set her purse on the table that ran along the side of the front hall.

"A little," she said. "I should have gotten a better jacket."

"Do you want mine?" he offered.

"I don't want you to get cold," she said. "I'll be fine."

Carl offered her an arm as any gentleman would have, " you look great."

Braden closed the door, " what I want isn't exactly for the appetiser course." he said stepping up to her

For a moment he was going to protest, but decided against it. Instead he nodded. "It's just around the block, so not far," he assured her.

She took his arm, grinning. "I hope they like me, Carl. I mean, I really want them to."

"I always did like dessert before dinner," she replied before kissing him.

"Do you go there alot?" Paige asked as they got closer. She didn't even know there was a restaurant near here.

Carl opened the door of the car for her, " I can't think of a reason why they wont."

Bradens arms tightened around her as he pulled her against his body

"Uh, yeah," he smiled. "They know me by name there." He ran an anxious hand through his hair. "They're really good."

She got in carefully because of the skirt, then slid over so he could get in as well. "Thanks," she said with another smile. But she was sure they would come up with some reason.

Jaimie's hands went to his face, cradling it. Maybe she was okay with the idea of them dating, as long as he wasn't doing this with anyone else.

"What do you usually get?" She asked. "Am I asking to many questions?"

"No," he laughed. "I like the lasagna or the chicken vesuvio," he replied. "But I know for a fact it's all delicious." He stopped and gestured to a small set of stairs leading to a bright red awning, under which was a glass door. "It doesn't look like much, but I promise, it's great." He opened the door to let her in.

Paige walked in and smiled as she looked around. "This is amazing. And it smells fantastic."

Carl slid into the car and they were off. he took her hand to reassure her on the ride to his house. they pulled through the front gates and into the massive driveway. the butler came out opening the door for them, " thank you Todd." Carl said as he got out offering a hand to Brooklyn

Braden deepened the kiss searching her mouth. one hand running down her back to her hip. he couldn't imagine someone else doing this. the thought of it made him sick. thankfully he didn't have to worry about that

They were quickly greeted by a short woman with thick black hair. "Jarid! We didn't know you were coming in!" she was obviously young, perhaps early twenties.
"Kind of a last minute decision. Isabel, this is Paige. I lost a bet so I had to take her out to dinner," he said with a laugh and she smiled.
Isabel gave Paige a smile. "He's quite the sore loser, isn't he?" she offered.

"Oh wow," Brooklynn looked around as she got out. "This is... Wow. This is beautiful, Carl." Her eyes were wide. Wow.

"I like this part," Jaimie said as she pulled away a little.

Paige laughed, "he can be. But when I lost I had to make dinner so its only fair."

Isabel laughed. "Sounds very fair." She led the pair to a small table against the wall. "What can I get you two to drink?" she asked.
"Water's fine for me," Jarid said before turning to Paige.

"Water's good for me too," she said. The resturant looked amazing, it felt so normal, unlike the places her father usually dragged her to.