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She laughed. “Thank you. You don’t look too shabby either.” Glancing around, she shook her head. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Sorry I didn’t pick you up.”
“That’s okay. I was surprised, but again, not really a date, so I could have driven myself.”
Ignoring her not-so-subtle reminder, I explained that I didn’t want to leave the area unattended. Taking her hand in mine, I led her to the blanket, doing my best not to disturb the carefully arranged setup. She lowered herself to one of the cushions, and I did the same across from her.
Birds chirped, the spring breeze rustled the leaves, and the sun was hanging a bit lower than when I first arrived. The setting was perfect. Like our own private sanctuary, shielding us from the worries of the outside world.
I uncovered the meal consisting of a small cheese tray, bite-size chicken parmesan so we wouldn’t need a knife, tortellini alfredo, and garlic bread.
“Wow, everything looks and smells delicious. I can’t believe you did all of this.”
Seeing how happy she looked made me grateful that our plans changed. “I almost didn’t get the garlic bread, but since we’re both eating it, it would cancel each other out.” When she looked at me, confused, I added, “For when I kiss you later.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Always so sure of yourself.”
I poured us each a glass of red wine and raised mine. “To you. Thank you for raising our son. Thank you for being strong and thank you for coming out with me tonight.”
I brought my glass to hers and softly tapped it. We both took a sip.
“Thank you, Cash. If I may say something?”
I nodded, and she smiled like only she could. “First, thank you for that toast. It means a lot to me that you think all those things. And I’d like to thank you for being a great role model to our son without even knowing it. I think that was what helped me get through the years without him physically having you in his life.”
“I’d rather have been here.”
“I’d rather that too ... for his sake, but we can’t change the past. Life happens the way it’s meant to, I guess.”
I didn’t necessarily believe that theory, but rather than bring down the atmosphere, I instead dished out our meals. Her stomach gurgled, making me laugh and prompting her scowl.
“Sorry, that just reminded me of the pie-eating contest you won the summer before our senior year.”
She giggled. “I was starving. I didn’t eat for two days. Just water.”
“All because you wanted to beat me.”
“I did beat you.”
When I shoved a forkful of pasta in my mouth, she glared at me. “Don’t even say that you let me win because you know that’s not true.” The corners of her lips turned down. “Is it?”
“Nah, you won fair and square. I never told you, but I’d just had a burger and fries right before that. I tried doing what you did—starve for a day—but I didn’t have it in me.”
“Your loss. I still have that blue ribbon.”
“You were adorable with whipped cream all over your face. Actually, if memory serves, I recall licking it off you.”
“Yeah, in front of everyone.”
I chuckled, recalling her shocked face. It was only one swipe of my tongue. It couldn’t be more because I’d already been turned on by seeing her covered in the white, fluffy cream.
“We had good times.”
She nodded and slipped a fork laden with chicken in her mouth. Moaning, her eyes fluttered closed. “This is so good. Don’t tell Mia, but I’m glad she canceled. So much better than a loud bar.”
“My lips are sealed. Remember when we came here after your seventeenth birthday?”
“Yes.”
