Page 94 of Of Pucking Course

I shake my head, giddy and overwhelmed that he planned all this for me.

“I remember you and Maya talking a few times about how much you like Tyler’s Instagram and how you wish you could try his food. And I’ve seen you scrolling his Instagram a bunch of times. So I reached out to Maya to see if she could ask her brother to put together a private lunch for you.”

I blink at him, stunned.

“Sam, I…” Emotion clogs my throat. I let out a shaky breath. “No one’s ever done anything like this for me. No one’s ever wined and dined me before. No one’s ever paid so much attention to the things that I like and made special plans for me.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears. I quickly blink them away.

He reaches across the table and grabs my hand in his. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel sad.”

I let out a snotty laugh. “I’m not sad. Sam, I’m overcome with joy. This is so generous. So thoughtful. You are amazing for doing all of this.”

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. Emotion flashes in his blue-green eyes as he gazes at me. “You’re the amazing one, Dakota. You deserve this. You deserve every good thing in this world.”

His words hit me straight in the chest.

He looks down at our joined hands. “I love doing this for you, Dakota. I love making you feel special. I love treating you like the goddess that you are.”

Goosebumps flash across my skin. No guy has ever saidthat to me before. If they had, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. I probably would have assumed they were just empty lines to get into my pants.

But I know Sam’s telling the truth. I know Sam is speaking from his heart. I know he means every single thing he says.

Before I can say anything, Tyler comes back out holding a tray with two glasses of water and a plate of what looks like open-face caprese salad sandwiches.

“I’m starting you two off with my favorite, caprese salad. Fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and basil grown from my garden, served on a freshly baked baguette. It’s drizzled in olive oil imported from Italy and balsamic vinegar. Enjoy.”

When he walks off to prepare the second course, Sam and I bite into our caprese salad sandwiches.

I moan at the burst of flavors. The milky mozzarella combined with the freshness of the basil and the sweetness of the tomato is heavenly.

“Oh my god, this is incredible,” I say.

“Yeah, damn. That’s good,” Sam says.

The second we’re finished, Tyler brings out the next course. I breathe in the smell of roasted garlic, cheese, and tomato sauce and try to hold back a moan.

Tyler sets down the plates in front of us.

“Caprese salad was okay?” he asks.

“It was delicious,” Sam says.

“Best I’ve ever had,” I say.

“For the main, I’ve whipped up my favorite sandwich ever: Italian sloppy joes. I promise they’re a lot more elevated from the ones you grew up with.” Tyler chuckles.

“Oh, I have no doubt. This smells insanely good,” I say.

Tyler beams. “The bolognese is made with organic beef and pork from my favorite local farm. The sauce is whitewine-based, so the flavor is both rich and delicate. The ciabatta bread was baked fresh this morning. It’s slathered with my homemade garlic butter, with melted parmesan cheese on top and fresh basil and parsley.”

My mouth is watering by the time he finishes describing the dish. When I take a bite, my eyes roll back.

“Oh my good god,” I say with my mouth full. Tyler laughs.

“So you like it?” he teases.

“Love it,” I say before taking another bite.

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