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“Buddy, he might not bring youanythingtoday.” Even as I said it, I knew it was incorrect, seeing as Hunter was already digging in his backseat for something. “But people don’t have to give us things to be our friends.”
“I know,” he agreed with a nod. “I like Hunter. I would like him even if he didn’t bring me presents. He’s my friend; my best friend. Well, except for you, Daddy.”
I smiled down at my sweet kid and ruffled his hair. “You’re my best friend too.”
Brady’s eyes popped open wide as he looked out the window again. “Oh my gosh!”
My jaw dropped when I saw what had him so excited; Hunter was walking up to the cafe entrance carrying a stuffed gorilla that was almost as tall as he was. Brady squealed and ran to the door, and I followed behind him to flip the lock and hold open the glass so that Hunter could pull the behemoth inside.
“Is that for me?” Brady asked eagerly.
“Is what for you?” Hunter asked, looking around at everything except the gorilla. “I don’t see anything.”
Brady giggled and pointed at the toy. “The monkey! The monkey! Is it for me?”
“Oh,this? I almost forgot about it,” Hunter teased. “Yes, this little guy is for you.” He handed over the ‘little guy’ to Brady, who hugged it and nearly disappeared in its fur and giant arms.
“I love you already, Mr. Monkey. Come on, let’s go play!” He carried the toy which was twice his size over to the barstools where he and Hunter usually sat. But when he had trouble lifting the gorilla onto them, he dragged it over to a round table with shorter chairs and got it situated.
“Don’t worry, sweets, I didn’t forget about you,” Hunter told me, and the nickname made me blush. He’d called me ‘sweets’ for days. I assumed it spawned because of the sugary treats I constantly ate during my shift at the cafe, but I really didn’t carewhyhe chose it. The name made me feel tingly inside, so I let it slide even though it wasn’t something one friend would call another.
Hunter pulled something from his back pocket and handed it over to me; a Swiss chocolate bar with a caramel center. It sounded great, but I couldn’t help but mess with him. I looked between the large toy and the candy in my hand before teasing, “I feel a little short-changed here.”
The look on his face was priceless; his pretty eyes widened with panic and he ran his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry! I should have brought you something more, but I thought you’d enjoy this because of the caramel drinks you like.”
“Hunter, I’m just giving you a hard time,” I chuckled. Over the past three days, he’d spoiled me with flowers, cologne, and treats. This candy meant the most to me because he remembered something I liked. “I love this just like I’ve loved everything you’ve given me.”
Without thinking, I reached out and squeezed his hand. His eyes darted to our linked hands and before I could pull away, he wrapped his fingers around mine and brushed his thumb across my knuckles.
I should have broken our hold, but it felt so damn good that I let it be as I told him, “But you really don’t have to bring us anything.”
“I know, but I enjoy it,” he argued. “I love the way Brady’s face lights up and the way yours blushes.” As he said the words, I felt heat creeping into my cheeks. “Just like that,” he whispered. “You’re beautiful.”
My face felt like it was about to ignite into flames as I turned my attention to the floor. It had been so long since anyone had made me feel beautiful, appreciated, valued, and all of the other wonderful emotions Hunter sent tumbling around in my stomach.
“I really appreciate you hanging out with Brady,” I told him, keeping my head bowed. “He loves spending time with you and it has helped me out tremendously. I wish I knew how to thank you.”
“I know a way.” Hunter pressed his cool hand to my cheek and turned my head so that I looked into his pretty gold eyes. “Go out with me.”
“I…it’s just not a good idea,” I said for probably the twentieth time.
“Butwhy?”
He looked so broken as I searched my brain for all of the reasons I’d told myself for years, but none of them seemed to fit Hunter. I had no valid excuse except, “I don’t have a babysitter.”
“Is that all?” he asked, his face brightening. “That’s not a problem; Brady is welcome to join us.”
“Really?” This man surprised me more every day.
“Of course. I enjoy spending time with him and I never want him to feel left out.”
The walls I’d built for so long crumbled around the edges. “I don’t know what to say.”
Hunter smiled sweetly and touched his forehead to mine. “Just say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”
The corners of my mouth twitched up; I couldn’t help but smile around him. “Yes. I’d love to go out with you.”
He captured me in a tight hug and I melted into his embrace. His body was firm but welcoming, and his masculine scent drove me wild. I was in trouble; now that I’d experienced his touch, I didn’t think I could live without it. I could only hope that he didn’t let me down, but something deep inside told me that I didn’t have to worry about that anymore.
