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“No thanks. Today is a daddy-son day. We’re going to stay up late and play games.”
Charlotte’s stare would have been enough to turn him to stone if she wasn’t just a mortal. Grant swallowed down the food he had in his mouth. She was a mortal, but one who could cook circles around any five-star chef.
Grant glanced down at Nick with a broad smile. His heart practically soared. It was moments like this that made every sacrifice worth it. Nick was picking him over his grandmother—something that wouldn’t have happened even two weeks ago. Sure, it might have been due to him having had such a good day, but it was still happening.
Everything was going to work out.
* * *
“Whoa. I’ve never been here before!”
Grant chuckled. “Your mom never brought you here?”
Nick’s eyes darted from one wall to the other from the moment they entered the Steer House. He shook his head, but the excitement never left his face. “She always said we have good enough food at home.”
“She was probably right.”
This time, his son’s gaze locked with Grant’s and his excitement dimmed slightly. “She was right about a lot of things.”
Grant didn’t know what that could mean—probably anything. Nick was a kid. His sober expression more than likely related to missing his mother. He had bounced back better than any kid his age, but that didn’t mean his heart wasn’t broken.
Clearing his throat, Grant motioned toward the hostess. “That young lady is going to seat us. Then you can pick whatever you want.”
When they were taken to their table, Nick practically hollered with glee. “Officer Whitfield!”
Her head snapped around and her eyes found Grant’s before darting to Nick. “Hey there, kiddo.”
Nick jumped up and down at her table. “What are you doing here? Can we sit with you?”
Once again, her eyes found Grant’s. “Actually, I’m on a date, sweetheart.” Her face filled with color as she brought her focus to Nick. “He’s in the bathroom.”
Nick frowned. “Oh.”
“Come on, bud. This is our table.” Grant nodded to the deputy. Her hair was down, framing her face in soft curls, and her eyes were accentuated by just the right amount of makeup to make them shine. It was nearly impossible to tear his attention from her, but when Nick tugged on his hand, he had no choice.
“Can we get dessert first?”
“I don’t know, kid.”
“You said I could get whatever I wanted.”
Grant laughed. “I said you could get whatever you wanted but not in whatever order you wanted it in.”
Nick scrunched up his face. “Huh?”
Laughing again, he shook his head. “Never mind.”
A tall man approached and walked right past their table. “I’m sorry, Bella. You’re going to hate me.”
There was a short-lived silence. “No, Todd. You’re not going to bail on me again. We haven’t even gotten our food yet.”
“It’s paid for. You can still enjoy it.”
“Are you kidding me?” she hissed. “You’re seriously going to leave?”
“I said I was sorry.”
Grant glanced over his shoulder to see the man shrug into his jacket.
