Page 79 of The Truths We Find

I smack her lightly on the butt as she heads for the door. Dani opens it, then glances back, tossing me a quick, discreet air kiss before slipping out.

I’m completely gone for this woman—and absolutely screwed.

A few hours later, I notice Dani across the newsroom, nose deep in her computer, as if there’s nothing else in the world. That laser-focused intensity of hers still gets me every time. It always has. Her last show wrapped over an hour ago, but she’s still here, chasing something.

That’s my girl.

I make my way over to her, sitting on the edge of her desk.

“You do realize it’s past time to go home, right?”

She doesn’t even look up. Just waves me off.

“What has you so locked in over there?” I peek over her shoulder to see what’s on her screen. But it’s a bunch of bullet points that I can’t make heads or tails of.

“Just an idea for a new story. It’s still in the development phase, so no need to poke your nose in just yet.” She reaches over to turn off the screen, and spins around in her chair to face me. “Ready to go home?”

“Not going home. I’m taking you out.”

“You’re what?”

I kick her chair with my foot, sending it rolling towards the opening of the small cubical space. “Let’s go.”

I hear her fight back a small giggle. “Gavin, I’m not dressed to go out.”

“You’re dressed fine. Meet me at the truck in three minutes.” I don’t even wait for her to answer as I’m walking past her towards the exit.

It’s a quick fifteen-minute drive to where we’re going. We pull into a beach parking lot, and I jump out first, rounding the truck to open the passenger door for Dani.

“What a gentleman.” She smiles.

I hold out my hand for her. “Milady.” I grin.

“You’re such a dork.” It still doesn’t stop her from taking it and threading our fingers together. “So, is this another beach surprise? Got a swimsuit hiding somewhere?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I thought we could grab Mexican food at the shack you love so much, then sit and eat on the beach while the sun goes down.” It’s summer, so the sun’s been setting a lot later lately, perfect for when we get off work.

The smile she sends my way electrifies my whole body. Damn. She has no idea what she’s doing to me, does she? Or maybe she does. God, I hope she does.

She reaches up, fingertips brushing my cheek. “You okay?”

I blink, realizing I’ve been staring like an idiot. I shake myself back into the moment. “Yeah. Of course. Let’s go get you that food.”

I’m the last thing but okay.

The hole-in-the-wall is right next to the beach, and we get in the short line, going back and forth on what to get.

“It all looks so good,” I say. “What do you normally get again?”

“I switch between the carne asada and pollo asado burritos. And of course, today I can’t pick!”

“Then don’t.” I tilt my head toward the counter. “We’ll get both and share.”

“Sounds perfect.”

We get our food and make the short walk to a clear sandy area, a few dozen feet back from the shoreline. I lay out the large blanket I brought with us, and we make ourselves comfortable. It’s still warm enough we don’t need jackets, and the light breeze off the ocean is welcome after being cooped up inside all day. Dani takes a large bite from her carne asada burrito, and I can’t help but laugh at the groan she makes.

“Good?”