Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I don't even own the damn computer I'm typing this on. It's my mothers!

Although they had planned on being at The Clave by 7, they didn't actually leave until 6:50. Clary wasn't the one to make them late this time. Well, not directly. Isabelle insisted she and Clary go back to Izzy's place to change.

"I need to shower," she complained, "to get this stupid smoke out of my hair." Clary had rolled her eyes and followed Izzy out the door at 5:30. She didn't quite understand why Isabelle would need so long to shower and get ready, but it soon became obvious.

"Are you going to wear that?" Izzy asked doubtfully as she looked at Clary's outfit.

"Why not? I've been wearing it all day," she said. She didn't see anything wrong with her outfit. "How did I mess up dark jeans and a white shirt? C'mon, Isabelle, I look fine." Izzy was as stubborn as Alec and threw some of her clothes at her.

"Try those on," she ordered. "They're too small for me anyway." Izzy grabbed her own new outfit and marched into the bathroom to shower. Clary squeezed into Isabelle's designer jeans, barely. They fit her well enough, but her legs were shorter than Izzy's. They were jet black and made Clary's legs look thinner and longer. Apparently Izzy had magical pants, because Clary's legs were neither very thin nor long. The top Izzy had given here was a silk blouse the exact color of gold. Of the 10 buttons, only 7 buttoned. The top three were only sewed on for show, thus leaving a fair bit of cleavage visible. Clary's white lace tank top hid some of it, but not all. Thanking herself that she'd decided to trade in her old beat up converse for a pair of simple white flats- not forgetting her penny- Clary slipped her feet into her shoes and sat on Isabelle's bed.

"That looks good on you," Isabelle smiled, returning to the room in new clothes and with wet hair. Clary smiled and waited for Izzy to dry her hair and do her makeup.

"Welcome to The Clave," the host smiled as he stepped out from behind his small podium. "Do you have a reservation?" Clary looked at Magnus, hoping he'd thought ahead.

"Yes, 5 for Bane," Magnus answered. "We're still expecting one more." He winked at Clary and gave her a thumbs up.

"Ah, yes. Right this way." They followed the host towards the back of the restaurant. They were on the right side, the opposite of the one they'd previously sat in.

"I apologize for the unfortunate seating, but since your reservation was so late.." The host trailed off, not at all looking sorry. Clary smiled and told him it was alright. They were right next to the kitchen's 'out' door, and from where she was seated she could see 4 large ovens covered in large, steel pots.

The host promised their water would be over soon before leaving them with their menus. Clary already knew what she was ordering, so she gazed into the kitchen every time the door opened- which was often. It was a busy night. Soon enough, their waiter arrived.

"Good evening, can I start you guys out with some drinks?" His smile was warm as he looked to Alec, sitting opposite of Clary, to start. They each ordered the same drinks they had the other day.

"Get it, Claire," Izzy teased.

"What are you talking about?" Clary asked.

"You seriously didn't notice Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome checking you out? God, Clary! Open your eyes!" Izzy looked at Magnus for agreement and he nodded.

"She's right. He was cute and definitely into you," he agreed.

Clary picked up her menu to hide her face. She heard Alec snickering across the table and kicked him.

Izzy bumped Clary's shoulder when the waiter- Julian- came back holding drinks. Clary glared at her, hoping Julian hadn't seen. Not that she cared.

"Ready to order?" Julian asked. He took a pen and small notebook out of his pocket. Clary looked up and noticed him looking at her. He smiled instead of looking away when he realized he'd been caught. She smiled shyly and cleared her throat.

"Chef's Special, please." Julian nodded and scribbled her and the others' orders down quickly. Izzy ordered the veal, Magnus ordered a lobster, and Alec ordered filet mignon.

"Coming right up," he said with one last smile to Clary.

"See?" Izzy urged after he rounded the corner. The kitchen door swung upon as another waiter ran out, and Clary caught a glance at Jace standing in front of the stove stirring something.

"I prefer blondes," Clary muttered. Izzy and Magnus' eyebrows shot up so high she wondered mindlessly if they'd be able to touch their hairlines. Isabelle smiled a wicked and scary smile before holding her hand out to Alec.

"I told you she'd admit it first," she sneered. Alec gasped and held up a hand.

"Hold on! She didn't actually say it!" Clary looked back and forth between the two almost as confused as Magnus looked.

"Alexander, you did not make a bet on Clary," Magnus said slowly.

"You what?" Clary demanded. She kicked Alec again, harder this time.

"She implied it! But okay, I'll let you go for now," Isabelle announced, lowering her manicured hand and grabbing her water. She turned to Clary to explain as she chewed on her straw. "Alec and I made a bet on whether you or Jace would admit your feelings first." Clary's face turned bright red with both embarrassment and anger.

"I do not-" Clary started to yell before Isabelle was saved by a stranger approaching their table.

"Simon! We just ordered. You can share my veal," she promised, pushing Clary out of the booth so Simon could sit. She conveniently pulled him down between Isabelle and Clary.

"Alright," Simon laughed nervously. "I'm Simon. Lewis," he added as he shook Alec and Magnus' hands. "I think we met on the phone," he said to Clary. She nodded curtly, still staring at Isabelle across his chest. Just then the kitchen door swung open, and out walked Jace. He took one look at their table and then slowly walked backwards back into the kitchen.

"What the hell was that?" Alec asked.

"Maybe he just wasn't expecting us," Simon offered. Isabelle smiled at Clary across Simon.

"Or, maybe he wasn't expecting you to look so hot," she teased. Clary reached across Simon and smacked the back of Izzy's head, almost spilled her water in the process.

"He didn't even see me, Isabelle!"

"He saw you," they all assured her in unison. The door opened again and everyone's heads turned to see who it was, but it was only Julian with their plates.

"That excited for the food?" He laughed nervously as he set them down in front of each person. "I hope it didn't take too long."

"No, perfect timing," Clary assured him. He smiled again before asking Simon if he wanted to order.

"Just a coffee, thanks." Clary raised her eyebrows and smiled. She liked Simon, if only because he got coffee at times other than breakfast. Julian nodded and ran off to wherever it was waiters ran to. The table sat in a comfortable silence for a moment as everyone ate, Isabelle and Simon sharing their veal. Clary was surprised by her order: apparently today's Chef's Special was two large, burnt grilled cheeses. She suspected Jace was behind her and waved down Julian.

"Is Jace working tonight?" she asked politely. Julian looked surprised that she asked.

"Yes, do you need me to get him for you?" She shook her head and took a pen and spare piece of paper out of her bag. She scribbled a few words on it before folding it and handing it to him.

"Could you just give this to him? He'll know who it's from." She smiled sweetly and turned toward her dinner, leaving Julian standing there confused. After a few seconds he walked away slowly.

"What was that about?" Alec inquired. Clary pointed to her plate and smirked.

"Ooh, Clary's starting to fight fire with fire," Izzy joked. Clary winked at her and stood, leaving her plate untouched.

"I need to go meet with Maia about the flowers. I'll call you guys later." She spun on her heel and walked out of the restaurant without looking back. She left her coffee untouched and her friends' questions unanswered.

Jace POV

Jace was just finishing up putting sauce on another sundae when Julian rushed into the kitchen. He walked straight up to Jace holding a small piece of paper in his hand.

"Another order?" Jace guessed. Julian shook his head and handed him the note.

"A costumer asked me to give you this. She said you'd know who it was from." Julian spun on his heel and rushed out of the kitchen, taking the 3 sundaes Jace had just finished with him. Curious, Jace opened the note.

"You owe me 1 dinner. XOX-C"Jace smiled and stuffed the note into his apron pocket. He knew Clary was the one who ordered the Chef's Special. He texted her quickly before any of his employees could see him breaking his own 'no phone' rule.

"Deal. My place, Friday night? I'll pick you up at 7."

Author's Note: How do you feel about Clace's friendship? I would talk more about this chapter, but I'm too excited to write about Friday night.

Fun fact: My back hurts from sitting at in this computer chair all day.

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~xox Jaciem