Page 74 of Second Chance for the Single Mom

“I told you,” he replied, “it’s a surprise.”

I groaned. “I feel like I should know where we’re going, since I’m the one paying.”

“Nothing crazy,” Lucas said, deadpan. “Just Clay Pigeon, the most expensive steakhouse in town. You’d better hope Bran doesn’t get into that academy, because I intend to buy a tuition’s worth of food tonight.”

It felt so good to laugh with Lucas. Both of us were soseriousback in high school, the way only angsty teenagers could be. Lucas still felt like the same man I had dated back then, except he was more comfortable in his skin. More lighthearted.

The more time I spent with him, the more I liked the man he had become.

When we pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re taking mehere?To Shaw’s Diner?”

“Yep.”

“I haven’t been here in years!”

“Me neither,” Lucas said. “I’ve been wanting to go since moving back to town.”

“You didn’t have to pick such a cheap place,” I told him. “We can go somewhere a little more expensive.”

“I don’t care about price. This is where I want to go.”

I grinned. “Then it sounds great to me!”

The diner was half-full, and we got a booth up against the window. The menus were covered in plastic laminate, just like I remembered. I felt a strange sense of déjà vu as the waiter brought us a pitcher of water. This could have been one of our dates back in high school, except this time we both ordered beer.

“I’m feeling like a bacon cheeseburger,” Lucas mused.

“It’s comforting that some things haven’t changed,” I said. “You’re still a sucker for junk food.”

Lucas’s dark eyebrows drew down. “Their burgers aren’tthatunhealthy.”

“Lucas. They’re greasier than any fast-food burger. I’m not complaining—they’re delicious. But they’re definitely not good for you.”

“I like healthy foods,” he said. “You saw me meal prepping at the grocery store.”

“I don’t believe you,” I teased.

He tilted his head. “You think I bought those ingredients at the store for what? A show? To pretend I was all grown up now?”

“Yes, exactly,” I said.

The waiter reappeared with our beers. “Are we ready to order food?”

“I’ll take a bacon cheeseburger,” I said, handing him my menu.

Lucas glared at me and said, “I’ll have the kale salad with grilled chicken.”

“He’s not really going to order that,” I told the waiter. “He’s just trying to make a point.”

“Nope. This is exactly what I want.” Lucas handed him the menu, and the waiter walked away.

“Wow,” I said. “I see you’re still stubborn.”

“I’ve learned to pick my fights, though,” he said, raising his beer. “Thanks for dinner.”

I clinked my glass against his. “Thanks for watching Bran while I was in Vegas. I know he can be a lot.”

“Nah, he’s great.” Lucas smiled widely. “He’s a really cute kid. He’s got your light eyes.”

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