Leveling her with a small grin, I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “Bon appétit.”
CHAPTER
TEN
Oaklee
“I couldn’t eat another bite,” I insist, trying to keep from releasing the button on my capris so they’re not so tight around the waist.
“Worth it, right?”
“Soooo, worth it,” I agree, drawing out that first word.
“Well, how was it?” Mario asks, appearing as if summoned.
“It was the best pizza I’ve ever had,” I tell him, earning a wide grin.
“I’m so happy to hear. I assume you’re too full for dessert,” he says, a little glint in his hazel eyes.
“Definitely,” I say
“I could eat something,” Cade states, patting his belly as if he didn’t just polish off two pepperollies, the same number of breadsticks, and half a deep-dish pizza.
“Of course you can. You’re like a human garbage disposal,” Mario teases. “Anyway, I took the chance that my new friend here likes chocolate, so I made one of my famous cookies, still warm from the oven,” he says, placing two bags on the table. “And I’m including some of our homemade ice cream you can add to the top when you’re ready. It’s all bagged up and ready to go.”
My mouth drops open. “You make your own ice cream?”
“Of course! I’d never buy it if I was going to serve it to my customers. Everything here is fresh and made to order, including the ice cream.”
Cade reaches for the bags. “Spoons?”
“Two in there, my hungry friend. Make sure the beautiful woman gets her share.”
Cade’s mouth drops open. “One time I ate more than my half. It’s not my fault she took too long in the bathroom.”
Mario barks out a laugh, making his entire belly shake. “She was pissed too, rightfully so, considering she was the one who ordered it.” He levels me with humor-filled eyes and adds, “He ate the whole thing, my new friend. The. Whole. Thing.”
Cade rolls his eyes. “Let’s go. I don’t want you subjected to any more of this man’s lies.”
Mario cackles hard and sets the bill down on the table. “Don’t skip out on the check, buster.” Then, he turns and heads toward one of the neighboring tables to say hello.
Cade grabs the check and his credit card and hands it to Taylor as she approaches. When she moves to the counter, he turns to me and says, “I know we tease each other a lot, but it’s only because we really like each other. Mario’s a great guy.”
“Oh, so he was teasing when he said you ate your date’s dessert?” I ask, knowing what’s coming.
Cade winces. “In my defense, I didn’t eat it all, as indicated.”
I can’t help but giggle and take the bag from his hand. “I think I’ll hang on to this, thank you very much.”
All he does is smile, and when Taylor brings his card and the slip back, he scribbles his name down and a healthy tip without even batting an eye. “Ready?” he asks.
“Yes.” As we move through the room, Cade finally acknowledges those in the room with a wave goodbye. We step outside, the sun falling in the September sky.
I climb inside the truck, Cade right there to open and close the door for me. As I fasten my seat belt, I give him my complete attention. “Thank you for dinner.”
His eyes are soft, full of delight and maybe…desire? “You’re welcome. Thank you for accepting.” He starts the truck and turns on the air. “Well, what do you think, Oaklee? Wanna take a little ride with me?”
“Is that code?” I ask, trying not to think about Cade getting naked, but failing miserably.
