Read Online Cheesecake and Teardrops by Faye Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

in,” she said with a smile. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be ready in a minute. Can I get you anything?” she asked from the bathroom.
    â€œNo, I’m fine. Nice place,” Nate said, looking around.
    The chrome-and-glass furniture was dust-free and devoid of fingerprints while her bookshelf boasted the latest best-sellers. Nate sat down and waited patiently. Charisma took another five minutes before she was good to go. She couldn’t help but notice that his eyes lit up when she entered the room, and for some reason that secretly pleased her.
    They decided to take his car into Manhattan. It was high time he learned the city. They took the Belt Parkway to the Van Wyck, eventually ending up in the Midtown Tunnel. It was a lovely, crisp night, and they enjoyed the ride.
    Before long they were a few blocks from Madison Square Garden, pulling up into a garage. They got out of the car, and the parking attendant did the rest.
    â€œYou could probably be a New York cabbie on the side,” she told him.
    â€œAnd you could probably be my boss,” he said, referring to her driving skills that first day. They both laughed.
    The line for the basketball game wrapped all the way around the block. New Yorkers were tough cookies, and it took more than a half-hour wait in the cold to discourage them from supporting the home team. After about another fifteen minutes outside the line began to move, and the warmth that greeted them at the entrance to the Garden was much appreciated.
    With the help of an usher, Nate and Charisma found their seats, and they weren’t too shabby, either. They were seated about eleven rows behind center court.
    â€œGreat seats,” she said, leaning toward him.
    It wasn’t long before someone came around to take their order. Nate ordered a beer, and Charisma a 7UP. Nate refused to let Charisma buy her own drink. “Save your money,” he told her. “You’ll need it when the Knicks lose, and you buy me dinner.”
    She threw back her head and laughed as the pregame show began. “Don’t you know those are fightin’ words? And practically everyone in here has my back so I suggest that you watch yours.”
    â€œI see you New Yorkers are a confident bunch.” He grinned.
    â€œSometimes modesty’s overrated, so we just cut to the chase.”
    Finally, the pregame show ended and the Los Angeles Lakers were introduced amidst a chorus of boos. Then the announcer introduced the New York Knickerbockers and the crowd went wild. Nate gave Charisma a smirk.
    â€œLet the games begin,” she said simply at the opening tipoff.
    Charisma knew her basketball. Not only was she familiar with the players on both teams, she also knew the referee’s signals. At one point, she and 95 percent of the Garden disagreed with one of the calls, and they let their displeasure be known. Kobe made two foul shots off the call. By halftime the game was tied at fifty-nine.
    Nate headed for the men’s room while Charisma stood and stretched. It was hard to tell who’d be buying whom dinner after the game. By the time Nate returned the third quarter had already begun.
    He looked up at the score. “Damn!” The Lakers hadn’t scored in the last five minutes, and the Knicks were ahead by seven. When Stephon Marbury hit a three-pointer from downtown giving the Knicks a ten-point lead, the Lakers had no choice but to call a time out. The crowd was on their feet, giving the Knicks a standing ovation. The Garden was on fire, and the Knicks were unstoppable. They beat the Lakers 107–92.
    Charisma looked at Nate without saying a word. Nate returned the look and laughed.
    â€œYou win,” he said simply. “I guess it’s time to pay up. Where would you like to eat?” he asked as they slowly left the Garden.
    â€œHow about Mustang Sally’s?” she suggested.
    â€œYour wish is my command,” he said. “Lead the