Claire had intended to be at the restaurant at least 10 minutes before the agreed time, yet Jake's already there, sitting patiently like a tame puppy, waiting for her.
The restaurant is called Fastidio's, and of course, Claire had never heard of it before—how would she? She's never eaten at any of these expensive steakhouses in the city. Yet, she's ready, too—if the dinner turns sour, she could pay her share and leave, so Jake Magno wouldn't have any reason to bad mouth her at the office about being such a bitch. Paying for her share of the dinner, as the Dutch do, would take a bit out of Jake's sense of machismo and might somehow put him in his place.
"You're ravishing," Jake says as he stands up and pulls out a seat for her, like a true gentleman.
Claire smiles at the compliment. She knows the likes of Jake too well. Somehow, the phrase "Jake the Snake" keeps flashing in her mind, not only because it rhymes, but also because it's uncannily appropriate.
