“Pinky promise?” I hold out my pinky to him, watching the corner of his mouth lift before he intertwines his pinky with mine.
“I promise, Vienna. You’re mine now.”
Rubbing my nose against his, I say, “I never really liked that possessive title before you, Rhonan.”
“Anything before me was just practice for the real thing then. Let’s think of it that way.”
“I like that.”
His lips find mine, kissing me softly as I taste the food and wine on his tongue.
“You know, we’re going to have to watch the kissing in front of Ellis moving forward,” Rhonan says when we part and I pick up my fork again.
“Because she thinks it’s gross?”
“Yeah.”
“That might be hard,” I say, placing a piece of my steak in my mouth and smiling as I chew. “I sort of like kissing you. But I adore your kid too.”
He licks his lips, smiling back at me. “You know, I love that you light up when you talk about my daughter. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about you and a big part of the reason I feel comfortable pursuing this. But I want to know what lightsyouup, Vienna. What makes you light up on the inside?”
I finish chewing. “What do you mean?”
“Like, for me? There is nothing that makes me happier than hearing Ellis’s laugh.”
“Oh, I agree.”
“But also, the meatball sub from The Happy Belly Deli.”
“Is it that incredible?”
He moans as he closes his eyes. “You have no idea, baby.”
“I think you and Joey fromFriendscould be best friends.”
“We could, I assure you.”
“What else?”
He looks toward the ceiling as he thinks. “I mean, I love when my father gets excited about a new blend of wine that he’s working on and shows me what he’s thinking before everyone else. And, I love when I get to turn the sirens on in my cruiser because, contrary to what you might think, I don’t get to do that very often.”
“Not too many crimes and emergencies in Blossom Peak, are there?”
“Nope. But now it’s your turn. Tell me what makes you tick, Vienna.”
The casually laid-back man sitting in the booth with me is someone I barely recognize, but damn, do I like the vibe of him too. I mean, the grumpy, closed-off single dad was a turn-on to begin with. But this man? The one who’s relaxed and genuine? The one who is honestly interested inme?
Yeah, this is the man I’m head over heels for.
“Well, I love the smell after it rains,” I start, thinking about what would be things that make me appreciate being alive. “I love coming home to Roscoe.”
“I still can’t believe you never had a pet before him.”
“Cole hated animals,” I say without thinking.
Rhonan’s smile falls. “I hate him even more now. What kind of person hates animals?” Clearing his throat, he says, “But continue, please.”
Tapping my chin in thought, I think for a moment. “I think the first sip of coffee in the morning is one of life’s greatest treasures.” He laughs at that one. “And rainbows,” I say, thinking about how Lydia always told me to look for them. “There’s just something about them that fills me with hope.”
