I leaned down, my lips grazing his, just as headlights bathed us in warm light.
Aiden laughed as he pulled away, craning his neck at the approaching vehicle. “Is this us?”
Grumbling, I looked up the information in the app and herded my little bird into the car once I confirmed it was our ride. Since it was late, there weren’t many options for dinner, but thankfully, he didn’t seem picky and his eyes lit up when I suggested burgers from his favorite place.
I wasn’t sure if it was because there was so much alcohol in his system that the greasy food sounded good or if he was excited about the prospect of us having something in common. He’d never known it was from me stalking him and watching him stop at the same place at least twice a week on his lunch while he was working.
Thinking of how much takeout he ate made me frown. It wasn’t very healthy, and I wondered if I could convince him to at least get some salads to go with it once in a while, and maybe some fruit. I didn’t want something to happen to my little bird because he didn’t take care of his health.
And it was my job to take care of him now, since I was his Daddy.
It was a terrifying notion that made me a little dizzy. A half-cocked thought that was out of my mouth before my brain could filter it. As I looked at him, snuggled in my arms, I couldn’t regret it, though. Not when I had him.
Thankfully, the drive was short. I wasn’t sure how much Aiden had to drink before the two shots at the bar, but in theten-minute car ride, he’d nodded off and curled into me. The way he tucked himself under my arm made my heart thud in my chest. He had me wrapped so completely around his little finger, that I realized with a start that I’d do anything for him.
Which was very dangerous. For both of us.
“Wake up, little bird. We’re here.” The car slowed to a stop as the driver pulled into the parking lot. It was mostly empty, thankfully, so there shouldn’t be too much of a wait for me to get my little bird fed.
His head slowly lifted from my shoulder, eyes glassy in that way they get from waking when you’ve just fallen asleep but had already gone in deep. I chuckled as I unbuckled and opened the door.
“Come on, baby. You need to eat. Out.”
He grumbled as he slid across the seat, his cheeks burning red, clearly embarrassed. I wasn’t sure why. But it was a cute look that I knew I’d never get tired of seeing.
I closed the door behind him and led him into the diner. He blinked a few times, the lights too bright for his sensitive eyes. As the hostess sat us at a table, he looked around, assessing the room.
When the hostess asked for our drink order, I asked if we could just start off with two waters. With a smile and a nod, she placed our menus on the table and left us to wait for our waitress.
“For as much as I love this place, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the inside of this place beyond the hostess stand at the front.” He gave a soft chuckle as he sat down.
“Oh? How come?” That surprised me. I knew he was busy with work a lot, but I assumed he would have had other dates here, considering how much he loved the place.
He shrugged and looked at the menu as though it were the most interesting thing in the world. “I dunno. Guess I never really saw the point in coming here and eating alone.”
Huh. So he really didn’t bring dates here? Or Victoria? That didn’t make sense, especially since he loved the place so much.
“Why alone? Surely you could bring any number of friends or dates here.” He had friends, unlike me. So I couldn’t understand why he seemed so lonely. But the uncomfortable look that flashed across his face had me pulling back from that line of questioning.
“Umm… I…” He refused to look at me, his eyes focused on the menu that I wasn’t sure he was actually looking at. Not that he needed to. He got the same heart attack burger every damn time.
“Sorry, that’s none of my business.” I cut him off before he felt the need to explain himself to me. There was no need for that. Not yet. Not ever.
Despite my overwhelming desire to know every little thing about him, I never wanted to make him feel uncomfortable. I wanted to be his safe space. And if that wasn’t a kick in the pants, I didn’t know what was. Because I wasn’t safe. But I would be, for him.
The awkward moment was broken by the waitress coming over with our drink order that the hostess had taken and getting our dinner order. Without thinking, I ordered for both of us and as she walked away, Aiden stared at me, mouth open.
I tried to read his expression, but it was so guarded. The way his forehead was scrunched, it was obvious he was trying to figure something out. Hated to tell him, but I wasn’t a puzzle anyone could solve.
My stomach sank as I realized I had probably already ruined my chances of getting a second date, and we hadn’t even gotten our food yet. I didn’t even know what I’d done.
“You ordered for me?” It wasn’t an accusation, but it also was more than just a statement.
Oh.
Leaning back in my chair, I folded my hands in front of me and studied him. “I did. Does that bother you?”
The way he squirmed in his seat was a clear indicator of how much it wasn’t a problem. But the look on his face told a different story. I wasn’t sure which one to believe.
