Page 132 of Resting Beach Face
“Sorry.” I chuckled. “That sounded better in my head.”
He grinned. “I like that you’re not holding everything inside anymore. And, uh…” He leaned in close. “I kinda dig the threatening vibe. Don’t hurt me, Daddy. I’ll be a good boy.”
I shoved him through the door while he laughed. Freaking brat.
The pub was relatively quiet on a Wednesday night, so we had our pick of tables. I chose one by the bay window with a great view of the sun setting over the lake.
Orange and pink streaked across a lavender sky, its reflection bouncing across rippling water, creating a mirror effect.
“Sometimes I forget how beautiful it is here.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I actually considered leaving that view.”
“Not to mention this one.” Cash pointed to his face and fluttered his lashes.
I grinned. “Well, of course. That’s myfavoriteview.”
“Good answer.” He nudged my foot with his playfully. “Because you’re going to be stuck with it forever, apparently.”
He was teasing me about thatlast man you’ll ever kisscrack, and probably would do so for the rest of our lives.
I just smiled. “Lucky me.”
We picked up the menus, and when the server came by, we placed our orders. Cash asked for a burger with loaded fries, eating like someone who didn’t yet understand the toll shitty food would take on his body. I ordered the skillet trout and summer veggies because sadly, I wasn’t in my twenties anymore.
We both got the beer on draft, since it was on special.
“Kat could have come with us, you know,” I said, apropos of nothing. “I don’t want her to think she’s a third wheel.”
“That’s sweet, but I don’t usually invite her on dates.”
“You know what I mean. We’re more than dating. We’re all living together as a…” I hesitated, not wanting to cross a line.
“What?”
“Well, we’re kind of like a family now, right?” I wet my lips nervously. “I mean, I know it hasn’t been very long, and I’m not saying I could ever replace her parents. I just…want her to feel welcome.”
Cash reached for my hand. “Declan, that is sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re lucky we’re in public.”
“I am?”
He lowered his voice. “I seriously want to throw you over the table and rip your clothes off.”
“Oh, uh…yeah. Probably not the best time for it.”
He smiled, a sexy tilt to his lips. “You just let me know when the time is right.”
“I will,” I promised, nudging his foot this time.
“But don’t worry about Kat. She’s out with her friend Jenna for the first time in weeks. She’s really happy that we left home.” He chewed his bottom lip. “It looks like I made the right choice.”
“Of course you did. I know you’ve been worried about your mom.”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“But Skylar is a great employer. She’s going to be okay.”
He smiled, some of the tension leaving his body. “She is, isn’t she? This job is a great opportunity for her.”
“It’s very good timing,” I agreed.
