Trancas Canyon

Trenton

There was something sexy and fun about checking into the Sheraton with a handsome companion even if they weren't staying in the same room. When she handed Luke the keys for the rental car, Madli felt the titillation of their hands almost touching in her whole body. His woolen smell as he leaned over the seat to grab his sunglasses from his messenger bag stirred an excitement in her that made her momentarily forget about the Bar exam she was there to take in the morning.

She was nervous about eating with her new suitor but Luke was very persuasive and sold her on her an Italian place he knew of. The restaurant had a long history in New Jersey, going as far back as Prohibition and members of the Mafia past and present were known to eat there.

After leaving their bags in their respective rooms and freshening up, they drove through Trenton to the restaurant. Trenton was a post colonial town that had seen better days. A neon sign hanging on a bridge was emblematic of the town's unrealized potential. It read: Trenton makes and the world takes.

The restaurant was a bit faded but still charming. It had low ceilings, white tablecloths and a large mirror that ran the length of the bar.

"I once saw Joey Buttafuoco here."

"Joey Buttafuoco?"

"Come on, you know. The guy whose teenage lover shot his wife in the face."

She couldn't help but laugh at Luke's prurient interest.

"Sorry, I'm behind on my tabloid news.

"It was a long time ago. The point is, they're legends around here."

Madli scanned the menu. She would definitely have to get creative since there wasn't much for someone who didn't eat meat. The waiter came over to the table and welcomed them. Luke ordered a bottle of wine. Madli ordered the stuffed mushroom appetizer thinking it would be manageable to eat on a first date.

The fresh mozzarella with asparagus seemed too unwieldy and she foresaw herself taking awkward bites and maybe even dropping the spear off of her fork.

She noticed Luke's hands on the white tablecloth. They were beautiful. He had long fingers that weren't too bony and clean, well-kept nail beds.

When the waiter returned with the wine, he poured a taste for Luke. Luke took a sip then handed it across the table to Madli. Their fingertips touched as she took the glass. She took a quick sip then nodded to the waiter who poured her a glass. She stopped him at half a glass. Luke chided her.

"Oh, come on."

"I need my full faculties tomorrow morning."

Madli couldn't help but giggle as she looked across the table at Luke. He looked at her with circumspection.

"What?"

"It's just...a week ago I didn't know you and now here we are trolling Joey Buttafuoco together."

Luke raised his glass.

"Here's to Joey. "

Madli laughed as she raised her glass to touch his. "Here, here." Luke looked her right in the eye as their glasses clinked.

"In all seriousness, here's to you killing it tomorrow."

His words made Madli blush.

After dinner they drove back to the hotel. The lobby was buzzing with stressed out exam takers. Luke placed a gentle hand on her back as he guided her through the crowd. The feeling of his warm hand between her shoulder blades sent a rush through her entire body. She felt the tingling straight up from her bottom half, through her sternum and up into her mouth.