The public eye || Jake Gyllenhaal

8. First date

He whistled appreciatively standing with his back pressed against his car when I emerged from the front door of my apartment building, wearing my best colors. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans and a navy blue sweater, his hair still damp from his previous shower, I'm guessing. He walked over to you, slipping his arms around your waist.

My arms going over your shoulders, as I roll my eyes playfully.
"You're acting like such a fool, whistling and everything." My smile could be seen from miles away along with my pink cheeks.

He grins, shaking his head. "You look beautiful." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. He pulled back, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He grabbed his wallet and phone, slipping them into his pockets. "Shall we?" I'm so glad that I lived in a more private area of LA, especially at some points of the night.

I nod, even though the way to the car is only a few steps, I still did what I always do with my friends and family, taking a gentle grip on your sweater on your left arm with my fingers, holding onto it to stay close.

He covered your hand with his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. As you walked, he leaned into you slightly, his shoulder brushing against yours. He was acutely aware of your proximity, of the way your hand rested on his arm. He led you to his car, opening the passenger door for you.

I mumble out a quick "thank you" even though I was dying on the inside.

He closed the door behind you, walking around to the driver's side. Once settled in, he started the car and pulled out of the driveway, heading towards the restaurant. As he drove, he found himself stealing glances at you, admiring the way your hair was perfectly curled and your soft skin getting touched by the moonlight.

As they drove, he reached over and rested his hand on your knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. He kept his hand there for the rest of the drive, idly rubbing your knee skin to skin. He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, finding a spot and cutting the engine.

It was still just our first date so having us out in the press already wouldn't be ideal. So I had come up with the genius plan to put on a hoodie, cap and sunglasses as I walked in. The only problem was that I had forgotten to bring my own cap but as I'm about to tell him, he reach behind me into the backseat and brings out one of his old caps to give it to me. It's like he's reading my mind, he always knows what I need.

He leaned over and whispered, "Put this on, sweetheart.I don't want them flashing pictures and coming up with the most outrageous stories after seeing us together" He nodded towards the group of paparazzi camped outside the restaurant.

It was enough of them to make me a bit suspicious that someone might have called them, but who? I didn't and I know that Jake wouldn't want people to know about him going on a date with someone 26 years younger than him. Maybe I'm just overthinking this whole situation, some other celeb could also be in the same restaurant and the paparazzi is just waiting for them to come back out.

I try to act causally by nodding before putting it on, bringing it down so you couldn't see my eyes and bringing my hair into the hoodie.

He climbed out of the car and came around to your side, placing a protective hand on the small of your back as you walked towards the restaurant. He nodded politely to the paparazzi, ignoring their shouted questions and camera flashes. The entire time I look down, hoping that no one recognizes me.

He kept his hand on your back, guiding you inside. Once we were inside, the hostess recognized Jake and quickly seated us in a secluded booth in the back. Before I could even sit down Jake reaches out and pulls down my hoodie so he could take off the cap.

He places the cap beside him in the booth before he reached across the table again, but this time entwining his fingers with yours. "You're amazing, you know that?" He brought your hand up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to your knuckles. The waiter came over and took their orders, Jake ordering for both of you because he knew that you're a shy person at first glance.