Once again, I’m smiling like an infatuated idiot. “Good, because it’s true.”
We pass the rest of dinner in easy conversation. I finish Kiki’s untouched beer and then snatch the last slice when she and Theo take too long debating about who deserves it more.
I earned solid glares from them both, but I’m pretty sure they’ll forgive me. Eventually.
After eating, we stroll to the parking lot, where Theo shocks the hell out of me when he rushes to Kiki and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her into a hug.
“I’ll see you soon, Miss Kiki.”
She strokes a lock of hair from his forehead and shoots him a warm grin. “You bet you will.”
Damn, but that warms my heart.
Don’t get me wrong. Theo is a great kid. The best. But he’s genuinely shy around strangers. It takes a few visits for him to warm up to someone new.
Not Kiki.
He warmed to her immediately.
You know the old saying that children are excellent judges of character? Well, Theo just proved the people of Sparkwood wrong.
Damn harpies.
After settling Theo into his booster seat, I turn to face Kiki, who’s digging for her keys in her bag.
She pulls them out with a triumphant grin and beams up at me. “Thank you so much for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I smiled that much.”
I lean against the truck, crossing my arms over my chest. “You have a magnificent smile. You need to use it more. So, about the dinosaur museum?—”
Kiki waves her hand, dismissing my words. “Don’t worry. I know how kids are, inviting people along to things. I didn’t think you were serious.”
In that instant, I realize I’mveryserious.
“Hey, I want you there, but there’s a caveat to the evening. Before we embark on any grand adventure, Theo and I partake in a fancy dinner.”
“Fancy like tonight? Because I can get behind that kind of fancy.”
“Way fancier,” I reply. “Wait for it, because it’s luxury living at its finest. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and if I’m feeling really festive, potato salad.”
Kiki plants a hand on her hip, fixing me with a saucy grin. “How did you know my favorite meals? Who told?”
“Lucky guess.”
“How about I bake a pie for our little soiree? Does Theo eat pie?”
I snort out a laugh, knocking Theo’s window. “Hey buddy, do you eat pie?”
Theo lowers the window, nodding excitedly. “I love pie.”
“See?”
“Then I’ll bring pie. You bring the hamburgers, and Theo will bring the dinosaurs. It will be a night to remember.” Kiki slings her purse over her shoulder, her expression softening. “Thank you for being such a good man. And Theo, thank you for the best night ever.”
Then she’s gone, slipping behind the wheel of her car and pulling out into the dark.
I slide into the driver’s seat and smile at Theo in the rearview. “Did you have a good time, bud?”
“I had a great time. I like Miss Kiki. She’s nice.”
