Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(55)

His brow arches. “Is that so?”

“Take me for dinner, Gavin.”

His smile widens and his fiery gaze roves over my face again. He drops his head, his mouth at my ear. “One day, hopefully not long from now, I will most definitely eat you like you’re my last meal.”

I throw my head back and laugh, swatting at his chest. “Now that’s a line.”

“That’s a promise, and one I intend to make and keep more than once.” He winks, does a little surreptitious rearranging in his pants, then threads his fingers through mine and tugs me toward the restaurant.





Fifteen


SWEET WITH BITE


HARLEY

I’m excited to get more of this version of Gavin, flirty and playful. When it’s just the two of us, it’s as though he gives himself permission to let some of the walls down. And I understand why they’ve been in place while we’re with Peyton. I’m not sure it will be particularly easy to stay in check all the time if that kiss is anything to go by.

The host takes us to a private table at the back of the restaurant and hands Gavin a wine list. “Do you prefer red or white?” he asks, flipping through the book.

“Um, I prefer margaritas to wine. Or sex on the beach.” I bite my lip when his gaze lifts and one brow arches.

“I’m sure I can accommodate the second request at some point in the future, maybe next summer. Unless a tropical getaway is in the cards this winter.”

“We’re on our first date, Gavin. You might want to hold off on planning vacations until at least date six or seven,” I tease.

My stomach flutters at the thought that he’s already folding me into his life. And another part of me worries that this is all too fast. As if being able to ask me out on a date suddenly opened a door he’s been waiting to walk through, and now he can’t help but build a fictional future that somehow includes me every step of the way. It’s as elating as it is terrifying.

And maybe that makes sense, since he knows exactly how I am with kids, and that I’ll put my heart and soul into his daughter. It makes me wonder what his previous relationships have looked like. I don’t want to dampen the light mood with that kind of conversation, though.

He sets the wine menu aside. “Sorry. That kiss has scrambled my head.”

“Mine too,” I admit.

“I thought you in this dress was going to be a distraction, but now I know how tempting your lips are.” He taps his own with his index finger.

“I can hold my hand in front of my mouth if it helps. I could even draw fake lips on my fingers so it looks more authentic.” I start to lift my hand.

Gavin grabs it and laces his fingers with mine. “I want to see every part of your gorgeous face, especially that beautiful mouth.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Peyton’s dad?”

“Am I too much for you?”

“Not at all. This is just a very different side of you. I like it.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He smooths his thumb back and forth over my knuckles. Even that small, innocent touch sends warmth through my veins.

I settle on a Bellini—it’s part sparkling wine, part juice—and Gavin orders a glass of red wine.

The server glances between us, looking a little nervous before his gaze finally settles on me. “May I see some identification, miss?”

I’m used to being carded. I don’t look my age at all, and the fact that I’m short doesn’t help. I slide my identification out of my wallet and pass it over to the server. His eyes widen in surprise. “Oh. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience, ma’am. Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem.”

The server rushes off, red-faced.

“How often do you get carded?”

“Basically every time I order alcohol.” I slide my ID back into my clutch. “I’m used to it.”

The server returns with our drinks, and we decide to share the gnocchi as an appetizer.

While we wait for our appetizer, we talk about the event at Spark House tonight, and the other events we’re hosting in the coming months, including a small cosplay convention, which Gavin is entirely too fascinated by.

“Isn’t it just adults dressing up like it’s Halloween?”

“In a general sense, but these are like super fans. They really get into role-play and they’re passionate about the characters, and we’re not talking just people who are into the movies. These people read all the graphic novels. They collect them and keep them in sealed packages and temperature-controlled rooms to make sure they stay in perfect condition.”

“I might want to stop by Spark House that weekend.”

“They have makeup artists who come in and do the coolest things. I’m going to be dressed as Poison Ivy.”

“I shouldn’t be the least bit surprised that you’re going to get dressed up for that event.”

“I was probably born to cosplay. I feel like it was a missed calling.”

The server returns with our shared appetizer. We leave it in the center of the table and pick at it while we chat.

Our meals arrive. I ordered the salmon and Gavin ordered the steak, and we talk all through dinner, not even caring that our food is tepid by the time we’re finished.