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“I like it.”

Dean closed the door, walked around the car, and climbed behind the steering wheel.

She leaned across the console and kissed him again. “I missed you.”

His brain short-circuited, because he honestly couldn’t recall anyone saying those words to him before in his life with the exception of his mother.

“I missed you too,” he replied as she settled back, fastening her seat belt. He gestured to the paper bag. “I got you a little something.”

Vivian’s eyes twinkled with surprise, widening when she opened the bag and saw the chocolate. “Oh my God. You remembered.”

“I remembered.” Dean started the car, backing out of the parking spot. Glancing over at her once they were on the road, he reached for her hand. She slipped hers into his with zero hesitation.

“You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “I’m wearing work clothes.”

“You could wear a burlap sack and still look gorgeous. It has nothing to do with the clothes.”

“Sweet talker,” she said, squeezing his hand. He refused to let it go. “So, where are we going?”

“If I tell you, it’ll ruin the surprise.”

Vivian’s eyes narrowed. “I hate surprises…unless they’re chocolates,” she added with a grin.

He shook his head. “No one hates surprises.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

Dean snorted. “Let me rephrase the last. No one hates good surprises.”

She considered that, then shrugged, giving him the win. They drove in comfortable silence for a minute as Vivian looked out the window.

“Feels good to get out of the office. The weather is beautiful today.”

“You don’t usually go out?”

She shook her head. “Most days, I pack a lunch and eat it at my desk. Occasionally, when the cupboards are bare at home, I eat at the hospital cafeteria.”

“Thought you and Kenny went out for lunch?”

She nodded. “We do, but we never manage to synch our schedules more than once or twice a month…if we’re lucky.” Then she blew out a breath. “Can I confess something?”

“Of course.”

“I’m a little bit nervous. I haven’t been on a first date in years.”

He chuckled, appreciating her honesty. So much so, he decided to give her back some of the same. “I’ve coached in championship games with less anxiety than I had texting you yesterday to see if you wanted to go out to lunch with me.”

Vivian’s expression was dubious. “We’ve slept together three times and talked to each other every single night for a week. Did you really think I’d say no?”

“Women are mysterious creatures,” he joked.

Vivian laughed. “Trust me when I say, nothing about me is mysterious. I alphabetize my spice rack, color-code my calendar, and label my pantry shelves.”

“Victor mentioned you reorganized his garage last season when we were away for a long road trip.”

“It had been a hoard, a disaster. He could never find anything,” she insisted.