Page 59 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

“That’s actually brilliant,” Dash said.

She beamed. “Thanks. It was my idea and I enjoy taking full credit for it.”

"You've never told me how you plan to get your father to the restaurant."

“Nat and I are cooking dinner for him Saturday. I guess I should say that I’m cooking dinner. I’ll let Natalie chop a few veggies so she can say she helped. Then Sunday, Nat will sneak out to set up the restaurant, only she’s telling Dad she’s running a 10K.”

“She runs?”

Kate snorted. “She runs errands in high-end leggings. That’s it. After she gets back, I’ll suggest a late lunch on the way to the airport. Hopefully, he won’t suspect a thing.”

"Sounds foolproof."

"There's foolproof and then there's Foster Powell proof. Definitely not the same thing."

He squeezed her hand. "I'm sure it’ll go off without a hitch."

She looked up at him, eyes soft. "You know, you could come with me. Stay the whole weekend. Meet everyone. Maybe test-drive some horses."

"If I back out on Miranda now, she’ll string me up by my ears. It's her favorite event of the year. She gets together with all her Chicago biddies. Plus, I'm still not convinced that showing up for the party is a good idea."

His heart thudded. He hadn’t met a woman’s extended family since Alexa. Things with Kate were moving quickly. Not as quickly as London, but still …

“And does your father even know we’re dating?” he added.

Her breath hitched. "So, we’re dating? Like, exclusively?"

Dash's gaze fell upon her lips. "That’s what I’d call it.”

And your sister did call me your boyfriend.

The moment broke when Kate's phone buzzed again. Dash watched her face in the glow of her screen as she read the message in silence.

"It's Celeste, my neighbor," she announced. “The coast is clear. I’m free to return home."

"Damn this city and their one time to be efficient.”

Kate smirked. "Why’s that?"

Dash nudged Roscoe off the chaise and pulled her in for a kiss. But the moment their lips met, the words “baby steps” skipped like a rock against the watery surface of his mind. Something tightened inside him. Fear? Hope? Both?

Only one way to find out.

"Stay the night," he said. “No pressure. Just first-class cuddling.”

"Like a good old-fashioned slumber party?" she teased.

"Yep, and I promise not to freeze your bra or put toothpaste in your hair when you fall asleep first."

His heartbeat drummed like a jackhammer as he waited for a reply.

"I sleep on the left side,” she said. “Is that a problem?"

He smiled sweetly. "Nothing about you could ever be a problem.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

DASH/NATALIE