Page 68 of Lucky Mother Pucker

Is this what all guys smell like when they sweat? I think back to my high school boyfriend. I don’t remember him smelling this good when he was sweaty.

He sets me down on my feet. “I knew you’d get it.”

I bite my lip, that tingly, happy feeling coursing through me at how sweet Leo is.

“I can finally quit my job at the strip club,” I say.

Something flickers in his gaze as he watches me. It looks like relief and something else. Something more intense. “I’m glad.”

“Paula and Evan said I can start on Monday.” I bite back a squeal. “I’ll be working twenty to thirty hours a week, so I can still work at the diner in the evenings and weekends. I’ll be able to save the money I need for my own place.”

“That’s awesome, Luce.” He grabs the hem of the gray T-shirt and wipes the sweat from his face.

My eyes go wide at the sight of his stomach. Those abs. Holy crap. He has an actual six-pack.

His torso is all hard lines and cut muscle. I swallow hard, and force myself to look away before he notices me gawking at him.

“We gotta celebrate,” he says. “Let me take you out.”

My insides go gooey at how thoughtful he is.

“I have to go to work at the diner tonight,” I say.

He grabs his water bottle from the floor next to the exercise bike and takes a drink. He wipes his mouth on the back of his forearm. I gasp softly when I see the thick veins along his skin. Whoa. That’s pretty hot.

How have I not noticed his forearms until now?

I push the thought out of my mind. I shouldn’t be thinking about how sexy his veins or forearms or muscles are. Especially not when he’s being so sweet.

“I have an idea.” His mouth tilts up in a half-smile that makes my tummy dip. “Let’s go.”

* * *

Twenty minutes later, Leo pulls into a parking garage in downtown Denver.

We hop out of his car and walk down the block. I follow behind Leo, who uses his big, broad body to cut through the crowded sidewalk.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

He looks down at me and smiles. “You’ll see.”

A few minutes later, we’re standing in front of The Cheesecake Factory. I gasp and grin at him. “Wait, seriously?”

“Yeah. Let’s get you some cheesecake to-go to celebrate your new job.”

Emotion surges up in my chest. My smile turns wobbly, and I fan my face with my hands to keep from crying.

Leo’s eyes widen in panic. “Crap, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad. I just remember you said that you loved Cheesecake Factory, and hadn’t been in a while, so I thought…”

I grab his hand. “No, I love it. These are happy tears.”

He lets out a breath and flashes a relieved smile. “Oh, good. It’s just that sometimes your sad tears and happy tears are hard to tell apart.”

I laugh. “Can we get cheesecake now?”

He grabs my hand and leads me inside. Nostalgia hits me the second I see the funky decor. I take in the big columns, French limestone floors, and cream-hued colors. It looks exactly the same as when I came here with my dad years ago.

We walk up to the cheesecake display, which is off to the side of the dining area.