Page 10 of Little Bedtime Snack

After drying off, I pulled on a soft gray sweater and my best-fitting jeans. I wanted to look good for Eli but still be comfortable and approachable.Daddy shouldn’t be intimidating.

With the gift and my keys in hand, I headed out to pick up Eli. When I got to his place, I stopped at the door and took a deep breath. There was nothing to be nervous about. Either we wouldhit it off or not. And after our night at the club, I had a feeling we would.

My shoulders were tight as I stood straight and knocked on his door. When it swung open, a smile immediately spread across my face.

Eli stood there in a pastel-yellow sweater and white pants, looking absolutely precious. His curls were tousled adorably, and he was clutching the same stuffed rabbit he had at the club.

"Hi Da—um, Mason." He peeked up at me through his lashes and crossed his ankles.

"Hello, little one." I cocked my head and tugged on the hem of his sweater. "You look very handsome today."

“Oh.” He blushed, fidgeting with his rabbit's ear. "Thank you. You look nice too."

"I have a little something for you." I held out the wrapped gift for him to take. "Would you like to open it now or wait until we get back from the park?"

Eli's eyes widened and his breath hitched. "A present for me? Can I open it now, please?"

"Of course, sweet boy.” He ran to the sofa and hopped into the middle of it, so I followed him and closed the door behind me.

“It’s not my birthday.” With his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth, he carefully unwrapped the tissue paper like it was a special part of the gift. When he saw the figurines, he gasped softly. “Bunnies!”

I stood beside him with a beaming smile, so damn happy he liked them.

"They're so cute!" He traced a finger over the baby bunny's blue shorts. "Look, it almost looks like he’s wearing a sailor suit like mine!"

"I noticed that too." My heart was melting at his reaction, and I wanted to pull him into my arms, but we needed to go slowly. "When I saw them, I thought of you."

Eli clutched the small bunny to his chest, as he looked at the big one. “Is this the Daddy bunny?”

I shrugged. “I think so. What do you think?”

He stared at two side by side and nodded. “Yeah, I think so. The little bunny definitely needs a daddy.”

My willpower was waning as I slipped my hand behind his neck and down his back. “I agree.”

After another minute of just staring at them, Eli looked up at me with both pressed against his heart. "I love them. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, little one. Now, are you ready to go get some yummy French fries?"

He nodded as he patted his tummy. "Yes, please. I’m starved."

As we walked to my car, Eli slipped his hand into mine. It was a natural move that didn’t cause me to hesitate or pause in any way. I just gripped his securely in mine as the touch sent an internal thrill through me.

I opened my car door and held out my hand to help him inside. “In you go.”

"I'm really excited for our date." He giggled and quickly hopped into the car. “And for fries.”

"Me too, sweetheart." I grinned as I helped him buckle his seatbelt. "I have a feeling these could be the best fries I’ve ever had." And even if they weren’t, this was already starting out as one of the best dates I’d ever had.

9

ELI

The sun was bright overhead as we walked through the park to the area where the food carts were set up. The scent of freshly cut grass lingered in the air, mixing with the savory aroma of sizzling oil that led us to the infamous fry cart. I’d always wanted to go there but never had a reason to go, beyond my love of yummy fries.

Finally, I did.

Mason's hand was gentle on my back as we approached the cart. "Look at all these dippers," I murmured to myself, in awe at how yummy everything looked. There was no way I could pick just one. “There are too many to pick from.”

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