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“Maybe we should do something big for her birthday,” he suggests. “That’s comin’ up, right?”

I stare at him, shocked that he’d remember something like that. “Yeah.”

His arm wraps around me, and he tugs me closer, giving me another surprise to work through. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

“Dinner?” I repeat, suddenly shell-shocked and dazed that he’s touching me in public.

With the whole town present.

Where everyone can see.

“That’s what I said.”

My body warms underneath the already hot sun and, if he keeps this up, I’m going to die from heat stroke and the slight burning still on my tongue. “I’d like that.”

“Good. I already have a picnic set up for us outside the⁠—”

“You do?”

I absolutely love picnics.

Love them.

Excitement rushes through me as Dodger rolls his eyes, but he smirks, sensing how thrilled I am at the idea.

“Yep.”

“Dodger,” I warn. “I’d kiss you if it wouldn’t start somethin’.”

His hazel eyes hold mine, confident in what he says with, “I thought we already were.”

That’s all I need.

Rising on my tiptoes, I plaster a kiss to his lips that’d be a little too much for children but not something that I’d get scolded for.

Dodger pulls away and licks at his bottom lip. “Who tried to kill you?”

“Mhm?”

“You taste like hot sauce and cherries.”

A broken chuckle ripples in my throat. “Agnes and her chicken sliders.”

“She ain’t allowed to make that shit.” He scowls behind me. “I told her when it’s allergy season, she can’t taste a thing. She sent Mr. Redding to the hospital last year.”

“For what?”

“Possible heart attack, but it was heartburn. She knows better.”

“She don’t listen.”

“Neither do you.” He looks back down at me. “I thought I told ya the next time I saw you I wanted to be mauled by you, Adeline. I’m still standin’ here.”

“We’re in public.” I suddenly feel eyes on me from everywhere the moment I say it, and we’ve been standing here long enough to be in the way and in plain sight of passersby. “And I thought you meant⁠—”

“I meant the next time I see you, Adeline.” His fingers splay over the small of my spine. “Or do I need to detain you in front of everyone so I can get you to listen?”

My lips quirk at that. “Now, Dodger…you’re askin’ the wrong girl that question.”