Page 381 of Small Town Firsts

They hug again and then it's just the two of us. "You ready?"

"Starving. Wanna tell me where we're eating?"

"Why do you always want to ruin my surprises?"

She rolls her eyes. "Fine."

We drive with the windows down and the radio on, enjoying the fresh mountain air.

"Oh!" A smile flashes across her face as recognition sets in. "Café on the Corner, huh?"

I park the car and cut the engine. "That's right. This is where I took you on our first date, so it seemed like the right choice for today."

"Hmmm." Emmy climbs out of the car and I follow.

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure you made it quite clear that our lunch here wasnota date."

"Fair enough. But if I wouldn't have brought you here, I don't think we would've ended up here."

She smiles softly. "Here's a good place to be."

I stop her from reaching for the door and pull her off to the side, wanting a private moment before we head inside. "Anywhere is a good place if you're there."

Emmalyn laughs...loudly."Who knew big-alpha-macho-man Sterling Abbot was such a softy?"

"You're the only person I'm soft for."

She licks her lips and drops her eyes. "I like it better when you're hard for me."

"Dammit, baby, if you keep this up, we're not gonna make it to lunch."

"I've got something you can eat." She bats her lashes and steps in closer.

"That's enough." I place my hands on her shoulders and nudge her back a step. She's too damn tempting, and while I'd love nothing more than to take her home and devour her, I've got fucking plans.

"Okay, fine. But only if you get me nachos."

"I can handle that." I clasp her hand in mine and pull her back toward the door.

She glares at me as I pull it open. "Cheesecake, too."

"Consider it done."

"Your same table?" the hostess asks.

Emmy nods, but I say, "Actually I was hoping we could sit outside today."

"What? Why?" Emmy cocks her head to the side.

"It's a beautiful day," is all I say in reply, glad everyone is sticking to the script.

"I guess." She crinkles her nose. "You're acting weird."

"If y'all will follow me?" The hostess leads us out onto the patio, which I've rented out just for us.

Fairy lights twinkle overhead, casting a romantic glow over the whole space, while soft music pumps from the speakers.

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