“That’s Leia, and this is Han.”
“Look at that. You have two different colored eyes. Aren’t you handsome?” I croon to Han as Cruz rubs his back. “And you remind me of my old friend Bella. Such a pretty girl. Are you two ready for a walk?”
“They would probably rather get belly scratches all day, but let’s get them some exercise before we have to return them.”
When I stand, I step into Cruz and push up on my tiptoes—placing a quick kiss against his lips. It’s the first time I’ve kissed him so casually, and it feels right. “This is the best surprise. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about the kiss.”
He grabs my hand as we walk. “Don’t apologize for communicating what you need from me. We know each other really well in a lot of ways. I might know the reason you love baking is that it reminds you of your grandma, and that your favorite food to eat when you’re stressed is homemade caramels. Or that there’s nothing you love more than the feeling of taking your bra off at the end of a long day—how you make that contented little sigh when you’re talking to me on the phone and you can finally be free of it. But I don’t know how to be everything you need in a boyfriend,yet.” My heart stutters in my chest at the way he tacks that on the end. “I screwed up when I didn’t kiss you. I want you to keep telling me when something isn’t working for you so we can figure it out together.”
“I have some questions. First, do I really sigh when I take it off? Second, boyfriend?”
“You really do, it’s this little whimper-hum hybrid and it’s adorable as fuck.” Cruz looks over at me. His eyebrows knit together as we walk alongside the riverbank on the trail, both dogs ahead of us with their noses to the ground. “That’s how I think of you—as my girlfriend. But we haven’t actually talked about labels, so maybe I should have checked first.”
“Consider this my endorsement. There’s nothing I want more than to be able to call you my boyfriend. Look at me, on my first date with my new, very sexy, boyfriend.”
We loop the trail while Cruz tells me about his trip to Boston. When we approach the bench at the end of our walk, Simone is waiting there, ready to take the dogs off our hands. I’m sad to let them go, but I’m ready to have Cruz to myself.
Crouching down, I give Han and Leia some snuggles before they leave. “Thanks for walking with us today, guys. We promise to come to visit again soon. Hopefully, you two will have found homes by then. If not, you might come home with me.”
When Simone leaves with the dogs, I follow Cruz to the tent. Once inside, he unties the fabric strap holding the door open, and it falls shut, giving us privacy for the first time today.
Chapter 20
Tent in the Park
Present
The flap to the tent falls shut with a quietwhoosh. I finally have Delilah alone and I’m antsy as hell to lay her down in this tent and kiss her until it’s time to walk back toBuns & Roses. It would be so easy. The tent floor is layered with pillows, and Delilah is stretched out next to me, reclining against the large bolster pillows.
Her long blonde hair is braided down her back today. A tiny pair of white shorts give me a view of her legs that makes it hard to concentrate on anything but how badly I want to run my hands up them and over her hips to where her shirt is knotted at her waist. The urge to push her to the floor of the tent and explore her flawless body is pressing in on me.
If I were anything like Brad, I’d be selfish and ask her for more time, so I could do just that. But I won’t. I understand how much her dreams mean to her. So the exploring is going to have to take a backseat to lunch and talking.
Just as I’m about to suggest we eat, Delilah shifts next to me. Her hand comes to my face, cradling my jaw as she leans forward. “Thank you for today, Cruz. It was an amazing first date. But you know what I want more than anything right now?”
Delilah is looking at me like she wants to eat me for lunch, and I’m not going to be strong enough to say no to that.
“You promised me some firsts while you were in Boston, and that kiss earlier was fantastic, but it missed the mark in one way.” Delilah’s eyes drop to my lips before she bites hers.She’s trying to kill me.
“I had plans, Delilah. I was going to feed you, maybe talk about that trip to the Caribbean some more. You are making it really hard to take things slow.”
“Yeah, about that. I’ve already told you I’m not interested in taking it slow.” Delilah moves toward me again, pressing against me and peering up at me sweetly.
Well, I can’t say no to that.
I pull her to me so she’s pressing up tight against me and lean down, all my focus on the bottom lip that’s extra puffy from how she was just nibbling on it. Delilah’s eyes widen in surprise right before I bring my mouth to hers. She’s going to see that I’ll live up to all my promises where she is concerned.
My tongue glides over her bottom lip before I nip at it, biting down just enough that it stings. Her hold on me tightens and when I finally slip my tongue past her lips, she’s molded to me like even a millimeter of space is too much. I have to remind myself that we are in a tent in a very public park. I let the kiss go a few beats longer before I pull back.
“Hermosa, I heard you when you said you don’t want to take things slow, but we are in a tent at one of the busiest parks in the city, and I need to get you back soon. I’m trying to do the right thing here and you’re not making it easy.”
She huffs out a sigh and pushes to sit with her legs crossed next to me. “Fine. I’ll be on my best behavior, but I don’t like it. Now, feed me sandwiches while you tell me about this plan for the All-Star Break.”
“Is going away with me on the break something you would consider? Are you comfortable leavingBuns & Roses?” I ask, moving the tray of food in front of us. There are sandwiches, cheese, and an assortment of fruit. The cooler is packed full of all her favorites, root beer, seltzer water, and lemonade. Delilah points to the lemonade, and I grab it, twisting it open before I pass her the frosted glass bottle.
“I’m not sure ‘comfortable’ is the right word. For years it’s been something I’ll do someday, when it’s a little more established, when I have a staff I trust, when I can step away more. I don’t take time just for me very often, and that’s okay because I love what I do. This is the first time I’ve wanted to make the space in my life to do these things.” Delilah brings a strawberry to her mouth, biting the end off before continuing. “Even when I was planning the wedding and honeymoon, I didn’t want to be away from the shop. That’s something I should have been over the moon about.”
“And you weren’t excited about those things?”
