My heart flutters at the sweet gesture, and while I don’t usually take that kind of lunch break—preferring to eat a quick bite in the back when the lunchtime rush is done—I can’t think of anything I would like better than a bit of time alone with Gio.
“That sounds nice,” I agree. “Let me just lock up.”
Taking the drawer of cash from the register, I put it back in the safe, then grab my purse and keys before stepping from the back room once more.
As I approach Gio, he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling my body flush against his and arching my back as he leans in to kiss me.
Heat crackles across my skin, and I try to maintain my composure as he leaves me breathless in an instant.
Then, before I know what’s happening, he pulls away again, his arm dropping to take my hand and lead me toward the door.
I’m not used to such bold displays of affection—but it’s definitely something I’m willing to wrap my mind around.
I quickly flip theOpensign toClosed, adjusting the clock on it to say I’ll be back in an hour.
Then I lock the deadbolt and follow Gio to a shiny silver Volvo.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he opens the passenger-side door for me.
“You’ll see,” he promises, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Stealing another quick kiss, he closes my door for me and rounds the front of the car to put the picnic basket in the seat behind him before he gets in on the driver’s side.
Traffic in downtown is always bustling, but Gio clearly seems to know what he’s doing as he weaves through the city.
I recognize the Lincoln Park Conservatory as soon as we pull into the parking lot, and I glance in his direction, both confused and silently thrilled by his choice.
“It’s not the botanical gardens,” he says, his smile sheepish. “But I didn’t think you could spare enough time in the middle of the day to do the hour drive. Maybe we can make that a weekend trip—with Jackson.”
My heart swells at the suggestion—and that he would include my son without question. “That sounds nice,” I agree. “But this is wonderful too. It’s been a long time since I’ve come here.”
“Yeah?” he asks. “Well, I thought we could eat at the park then wander around inside until you have to get back.”
“That sounds great.”
We take our time picking a spot beneath the shady canopy of a giant oak tree, and Gio puts down a blanket before unpacking the meal of sandwiches that look like they’re from Big Mama’s Deli—a tiny shop that usually has a line around the corner by now.
“I hope you like turkey,” he says. “But I also got an Italian sub if you would prefer.”
“No, turkey’s my favorite, actually. Big Mama’s makes the best.”
Gio nods, passing me the sandwich like it’s no big deal while I silently wonder what god sent him from above.
How can he be so perfectly right for me?
It’s like he understands everything about me without even having to ask—and not just that, he takes the initiative, showing me he cares in small but meaningful ways that make my heart pound.
“How was your morning?” he asks, digging into his own sandwich as I take a bite of mine.
“Really nice, actually,” I admit. “Once I got Jackson to school on time. It was down to the wire.”
Gio chuckles, his light hazel eyes glancing up at me. “I didn’t give you enough of a head start?” he teases.
“I… might have fallen back asleep after you left,” I admit.
“You’re not much of a morning person.”
It’s more an observation than a question, but I nod. “The day I wake up without hitting snooze ten times, you’ll know something’s wrong.”
