Page 55 of Hawk

Hawk had been spending most of his time trying to locate Butch, but so far, he hadn’t had any luck. I suspected that they’d moved on—and while I wished they would just go away and leave me alone, I knew I’d never feel completely safe as long as he was a threat.

I was finishing up the fifth season ofSpring Baking Championshipwhen Hawk came into the room. I’d been so engrossed in the show I hadn’t even heard him come in. More evidence I needed a bodyguard. Or maybe I just felt safe here in Hawk’s condo. Either way, he scared me half to death when he spoke.

I placed my hand on my chest and took a couple deep breaths. “Hawk, you scared me half to death.”

“Sorry, mouse. I didn’t mean to startle you. I called out when I entered the condo.”

“It’s okay. I startle easy on a good day, but with everything going on right now, it’s even worse.” That’s when I noticed he was carrying a basket. “What’s that?”

“Well, I wanted to take you on a date, but we can’t really do that right now, so I thought we could improvise.”

I sat up and smiled at him, excitement rushing through me. “And have a picnic here in the condo? That’s a great idea!” I’d been cooking dinner for us every night, and this explained why he’d told me not to bother with that tonight—that he was picking something up for us to eat. I never dreamed it would be something like this. I figured it would be Chinese takeout or something. I was starting to think I had hit the Daddy jackpot more and more each day.

“Close, but not in the condo… up on the roof.”

“Oh! Even better. I love picnics, and I love looking at the stars, so that’s a win-win. Look at you, nailing date night.”

That was when it hit me that if we were going on a date, I needed to wear something nicer than the sweatpants and t-shirt I had on.

“You should’ve told me. Then I could’ve gotten dressed appropriately.”

He furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?”

“It’s not exactly date attire.” I motioned down my body with my hands to make the point.

“I don’t see anything wrong with what you have on. You look amazing, and you’re dressed just right for a rooftop picnic. Now, are you ready?”

“Sure. Do we need to take a blanket or anything up with us?”

“Nothing but this.” He held up the basket. “Everything else is already waiting for us.”

“Really?”

“Yep. And believe me, I was watching my phone anxiously all afternoon, waiting for you to text me and say you decided to go up on the roof and had spoiled the surprise.”

I’d considered it earlier when I was feeling sorry for myself for being cooped up in the condo, but I’d opted for television instead. I was glad I had because I loved surprises.

He pulled open the door, letting me go first, and then followed me up the stairs. I figured he’d put a blanket and a few pillows or something up here, but I hadn’t been at all prepared for what I’d found when I opened the door to the rooftop.

There was a canopy in the middle that had lights strung all around it, and a table with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth and two chairs sat underneath. He’d added a few potted plants around to make the place feel alive, and there was music playing from somewhere.

“This is amazing, Daddy.”

He leaned down and kissed me on the temple. “I’m glad you think so, baby boy. When all this is over and done with, I’ll take you out on a real date.”

“Well, good luck topping this one ’cause it’s perfect.”

It really was. The food was amazing, and while we ate, we talked about everything except the investigation. That ugliness had no place in the bubble he’d created for us up here.

When we’d finished eating, he picked up his wine glass. “Here’s to us and the future we’re creating.”

My insides melted as I clinked my glass against his. I’d never had anyone make a toast like that, and it was so incredibly sweet. It gave me hope that maybe he was right, and we’d be able to put all this behind us soon and create a future together.

“So, what now?”

“Gator brought us up some wood for the fire pit if you want to have a fire.”

“A fire would be nice.” It really would. The spring nights could be just chilly enough to enjoy an outdoor fire, but the truth was, a fire wasn’t really what I wanted right now. But I would never tell him that. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I didn’t appreciate all the trouble he’d gone to setting all this up.

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