Page 45 of Summer Fling
He nodded, his expression serious. "That's the plan."
It was a good reminder that this date was part of that plan. I couldn't fall for his vulnerability.
"I’m supposed to be designing a maze for the senior center. I’m meeting with Willow from Peters' Nursery to talk about the best bushes for the project. I'm hoping she knows a topiarist. I researched various maze designs online, and I drafted one that could work."
"I'd love to see it."
"Really?" he asked as if he didn't quite believe me.
"That sounds like a neat project. Why did they ask you to handle it? I thought you did more construction work."
"This is part of the volunteer work that we do for the center. We've built flower boxes and a gazebo, but we've recently assisted with other projects outside our purview, like creating a butterfly garden and now the maze. I haven't been able to participate as much as I'd like because of Lilliana. But things are settling down now, I should have more time, and I'd like to contribute."
"I love that your family contributes to the community, and I'm sure your family understands why you haven't been able to be as present as you'd like."
The server placed the mango chicken lettuce wraps in front of us. There was no easy way to eat something like this in a nice restaurant, so I attempted to cut them into small pieces, but Dalton picked up the wrap and took a bite out of it.
"How is it?" I asked, lowering my fork and knife.
He nodded as he chewed, and when he swallowed said, "Good. Really good."
I picked up the wrap and took a bite, the mango-lime flavor bursting on my tongue. I chewed and swallowed, sipping my water before I said, "These are good."
I forgot about our surroundings and the fact that we were in a fancy restaurant because we were seated outside, and the view was fabulous. "I feel like I'm on a permanent vacation here."
Dalton nodded, picking up his second wrap. "I grew up here, so it's just normal."
I looked out over the water. "There's something about being here with the ocean view, the palm trees… I feel like I'm in my own world. It makes it harder to consider returning to the classroom."
"You don't have much longer to go to school. Then you'll be done."
I sighed. "True."
Our main course arrived, and I was careful not to bring up Oakley's name. We talked about the silly things that Lilliana did this week. I told him about her progress with painting, and he told me his plans for her to go to preschool when she was two or three.
It sounded like he'd have a hard time sending her anywhere but knew that it would be good for her to socialize with other kids besides Henry.
Lilliana was a safe topic. If we didn't talk about her, then I'd be preoccupied with his forearms that flexed as he spoke or the scruff along his jaw. Instead, I was impressed with the light in his eyes when he spoke of his daughter. That only highlighted how good of a father he was and heightened my attraction to him.
He was a good man in a difficult situation, but he was learning to navigate it on his own. It was impressive and incredibly attractive. And for the night, he was mine.
His attention was focused solely on me. He was attentive and kind. It was easy to get lost in him, and forget that this was for show, an act to ensure the locals knew that we were an item. The end goal was a fake engagement, and I shouldn't forget that.
We finished our meal, and I sipped my second drink, feeling lighter from the alcohol. When I felt like this, I didn't worry about my future or what my plans would be. I enjoyed myself in the moment, and right now, I couldn't deny that I wanted Dalton.
There were flashes when I thought he might like me too, but I couldn't trust them. Not when he was invested in making this fake relationship work for his custody case.
We'd ordered the key lime pie, and like last time, we took turns feeding each other portions of the sweet concoction. I wanted to kiss him and see if he tasted like the pie. Suddenly, I felt hot all over, and it had nothing to do with the summer heat.
After he paid the bill, Dalton relaxed into his chair, and his gaze settled on me. "Are you ready to get out of here?"
I looked over the water. "I could sit here all night."
He raised a brow. "I just so happen to have a deck where we can view the water in privacy."
I wanted to ask why we needed privacy, but he'd already stood and held his hand out to me. I placed my hand in his warm palm. He guided me through the restaurant and out to his truck.
The engine rumbled to life. "Thanks for going out with me tonight. I know you could be doing a billion other things, hanging out with friends or doing work."
