Jake finished getting ready earlier than the agreed time because he already knew that Aliya was never gonna finish getting ready if she didn't see him already dressed.
And that proved to be the right choice because Aliya changed outfits three times.
Jake sat on the couch in the living room of his parents' house, one arm stretched along the backrest, as he watched the process with the kind of patience he rarely gave anything.
Every few minutes she would step out of the bedroom, pause in front of the mirror near the wall, study herself from two angles, then disappear inside again with a dissatisfied expression and a muttered comment he was pretty sure he wasn't meant to hear.
He didn't rush her. He didn't comment either.
