Page 64 of Playboy

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I groan as I read the text from the owner telling me it’s empty, as he promised. “Fuck.”

Hannah bursts into laughter again, the sound filling the quiet restaurant where I am very clearly not going to feed her.

All I can do is stare in awe. She doesn’t seem the least bit upset that I’ve screwed up this date more than once. And damn, I love the sound of her laugh. Maybe I’ve made a fool of myself, but it’s worth it to be enveloped in her delight. My body warms at the sound, my heart pounding and my toes tingling too. If I could only hear one sound for the rest of my life, I’d want it to be that.

Her happiness brings me a joy I didn’t know existed. If she’s laughing—even if it’s at my expense—I’m smiling.

Even as her laughter dies, a smile remains on her lips. She reaches for my hand. “Come on, Playboy. I’ve got dinner covered.”

Shoulders back and head held high, she leads me out onto the busy Boston street, looks left, then right, then up at me. “How do you feel about hot dogs?”

I tilt my head. “Hot dogs?”

She hums. “I’ve been craving the ones from that vendor right outside the stadium. What do you say?”

“Yes.” Already, I know it’ll be my go-to answer when it comes to her. Hannah doesn’t know it yet, but she owns me. And if I’m lucky, maybe one day I’ll own her heart too.

“So doesit live up to your expectations?” We’re sitting side by side on a bench in the park across the street from the stadium, hot dogs in hand. Hannah got two with everything on them. She added ketchup and mustard, but when she got to the relish, she hesitated, biting her lip and eyeing me. When I asked if it was because she didn’t like it, she told me she loved it, but she said she worried that if things were heading in the direction she hoped, she didn’t want to have bad kissing breath.

My heart fucking floated in my chest.

So I dropped a glob of relish on mine and told her to go crazy, that we’d both taste the same.

Now she pops the last bite of her hot dog into her mouth with a hum, and I stare like the lovesick puppy I am.

“It’s so good.” Wiping her hands on her napkin, she turns to me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything. That’s what we promised, right? Complete transparency and honesty. It’s the only way this will work.”

She sets her napkin down and takes a sip of her lemonade. The freshly squeezed drink was another must have, and damn am I glad I listened to her. It’s incredible. “Why did you buy out the restaurant like Gavin did for Millie?”

I shudder again. If I never have to see that restaurant again, it will be too soon. “It’s stupid, really.”

“Complete honesty, Daniel,” she chides, bumping her shoulder into mine.

I wipe my mouth, hiding my smile. I always seem to be wearing one around her. “Last night, I was talking to the guys about what they did to get their women to fall for them.”

Her brows raise, but she doesn’t speak.

So with a deep breath in, I continue, hoping she won’t focus too much on my motivation. “Beckett said small things like paying attention to the drink he and Liv had the night they got married?—”

“The only red they ever serve at their house,” Hannah says with a knowing smile.

I nod. “He says he bought a case and replenishes annually.”

“He’s cute when it comes to Liv.” Her tone almost comes out wistful. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard from her before.Interesting.

“Gavin mentioned the restaurant?—”

She laughs. “Not investigating what happened in that restaurant before you paid so we could have it to ourselves was an epic error on your part.”

I hold up my hand. “You’ve got to stop.”

The laugh turns into a manic fit of giggles.

Desperate to avoid hearing any more about my sister and her husband, I continue. “Brooks cut his hair, so I considered a buzz cut?—”

She shakes her head. “No, you don’t have the forehead to pull that off.”

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