One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(12)

My phone beeps, drawing my attention away from the rustic-looking ceiling.

Adalyn: Ugh, not the best end to the day. We had a thirty-year-old patient come in off the ambulance, suffered a massive heart attack, and we couldn’t do anything to help him. His wife was still crying in the waiting room when I clocked out for the day.

Fuck, that’s hard. I couldn’t imagine having to watch such life changing moments every day. I don’t think I’m strong enough.

Hayden: Shit, I’m sorry, Adalyn. That had to be really difficult to witness.

Adalyn: It was. I’m actually sitting in my car in the parking lot of the hospital, taking a few moments to compose myself.

I sit up and rest my arms on my legs, my phone propped in front of me.

Hayden: Can I help you take your mind off your shitty day?

Adalyn: What did you have in mind?

Hayden: Do you know where Roundtop Picnic area is?

Adalyn: I can look it up.

Hayden: Meet me at the Sunset Pavilion in half an hour.

Adalyn: Do I need to bring anything?

Hayden: Just your pretty self. I have everything else covered.

Adalyn: See you in thirty then.

Hopping from the couch, I pocket my phone and head to the bathroom. She said yes. A guy’s got to make sure he looks good . . . As much as I was lying to myself that I only want to talk to her, I get the sense that she needs this type of downtime. And I want that . . . with her. She’s witty and sarcastic, but I’m thinking also very real. That’s what’s been missing for me at times. The lack of filter. I want real conversation . . . like Calder and Rachel have.

I pull into an almost empty parking lot besides one vehicle. When I look into the driver’s side, I spot Adalyn, fingers curling around her ponytail, staring off into the distance. The movement from my end draws her attention and when she recognizes me, a soft smile plays at her lips. I nod toward the grass in front of us and start to get out of my car while she does the same.

I pull out a box, a bag of drinks and utensils, and a blanket.

“Do you need help?” Adalyn asks, walking to my open trunk.

“I think I got it, can you shut the trunk for me?”

“Of course.” She goes to grab the hatch when I stop her and nod at the button on the side.

“Just press the button.”

She eyes it and sticks her pinky in the air. “Oh fancy.”

Laughing, I say, “It’s about the only fancy thing I have in my life, so don’t go thinking I’m a snob or anything.”

Eyeing me, she says, “Nice watch.”

Okay, I might have a fancy watch too, but I didn’t buy it.

“It’s from my team. They gave it to me for my birthday because the one I was wearing was apparently so abhorrent for everyone to look at, especially during press conferences. Makes me think, maybe I should start wearing shitty-looking suits and shoes to score some new apparel as well.”

She taps her head. “You would be missing out on an opportunity if you didn’t.”

We head toward the grass and Adalyn takes the blanket from under my arm to lay it out over the little field of green. The sun begins to set and the temperature starts to drop, so thankfully I prepared for the occasion. Jogging back to my Porsche, I open the door behind the driver’s seat and grab two sweatshirts and another blanket.

I’ve lived in New York for most of my life, so I know what it’s like in June when the sun sets around eight thirty. It gets chilly, and I don’t want to have to cut our night short because the temperature drops. We have at least an hour before total darkness, and even then there are little streetlights surrounding the area.

“Here.” I hand her one of my Philadelphia Brawlers sweatshirts. “I don’t want you to get cold.”

Hesitantly she takes the sweatshirt. “Thank you, that was sweet to think of me.”

“Didn’t think it would be cool to wear a sweatshirt while you’re over there freezing.” I lift the hoodie over my head and situate it around my waist before sitting next to her and draping the spare blanket over both our legs. Thankfully it’s a smaller blanket so I have to scoot closer to her.

“Mmm, your sweatshirt smells good.”

Okay, maybe I sprayed a little cologne on it before I left the cottage, but we can keep that between us.

“I hope you like cake.” I bring the box to our laps and flip it open, revealing an entire sheet cake. Chocolate and vanilla marble cake with buttercream fudge frosting. Goddamn, my mouth is watering. I haven’t had anything like this in a really long time. My nutritionist doesn’t allow it for obvious reasons.

“Oh my God. Does that say . . . Hayden is hot?” Adalyn looks closer at the cake.

Pulling out forks, I hand her one. “They asked if I wanted anything written on it, so I figured why not?”

“And you went with Hayden is hot?”

“Just to make sure you were aware.”

Shakes her head, a smile beautifully spread across her face. “I’m well aware. Thanks for the reminder though.”

“Anytime. Dig in.”

“No plates?”

“Nah, don’t need them.” I fork a giant piece of cake and shove it in my mouth, icing spread across my mouth. I chew, letting the sugar soak in and then swallow. So fucking good. I groan and go for another bite while Adalyn just stares at me. “Do you not like cake?”