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“Maybe. Is that crazy?” I know we haven’t known each other that long but I really do love spending time with him and he’s been too busy to stop by the last couple nights and texting only helps so much.

“If it is, then I’m right there with you. I wanted to come see you more than you know.”

A blush creeps up my cheeks and I look down at the sidewalk to hide my smile. After all I’ve been through, it means so much to me that he isn’t playing games with me. He’s honest and upfront with how he’s feeling and it’s exactly what I need.

“What kept you away?”

He sighs. “Clay.”

“How is he?”

“Last time I saw him, he was just fine but that was days ago.”

“I’m so sorry, Lucas,” I whisper as we stop in front of the deli. He pastes a smile on his face but I can see the stress wearing on him. As he opens the door, he brings our intertwined hands to his lips and kisses the back of mine.

“Don’t worry about it, babe. It is what it is.”

I nod. “Well, I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

“I know. Now,” he says as we step up to the front counter, “tell me what’s good here.”

“My favorite is the honey bear sandwich,” I reply, pointing to the menu board up on the wall. He nods as he reads the description with an adorable pucker to his lips.

“Sounds good.”

A young woman stops in front of us with an expectant expression. “What can I get for you two?”

“I’ll get the honey bear sandwich, a side of fries, and a water,” I say before glancing back at Lucas, who nods.

“Same, please.”

She rings it up and reads out the total. Lucas grabs his wallet out of his pocket and when I open my mouth to protest, he shoots me a look before handing over some cash. I stare at him for a second before pulling my wallet out of my purse and grabbing a ten-dollar bill. He glances back at me as I step up to the counter and slip the money in the tip jar. His jaw ticks as he watches me step back and then he smiles and shakes his head, pulling me into his arms as she hands him his change and receipt.

“Defiant, aren’t you?”

I arch a brow. “Only if you are.”

“Me? Defiant?”

“Well,” I mutter, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Maybe defiant isn’t the right word but you could let me pay for a meal every once in a while.”

He shakes his head. “No, I couldn’t. Iris would have my head… and my balls if I ever made a lady pay for her own food.”

“I see… so you’re going to pay for every woman’s lunch?” I ask, gesturing to the line forming at the counter and he laughs.

“If I have to, to prove a point.”

I flash him a skeptical look and he grins as he pulls some twenties out of his wallet and goes back up to the register where he whispers something to the cashier before handing her the money. The first woman in line watches him, wide-eyed, as he struts back over to me and I laugh.

“Feeling proud of yourself?”

He nods. “Yeah, I am.”

“Smith,” the cashier calls, holding up a bag with our food in it. He flashes me a wink before strolling back up to the counter to grab it. When he comes back, we head out to the patio and find an open table as he lays out our sandwiches, fries, and bottles of water.

“So,” he says as we sit down across from each other. “I have a question for you.”

“Shoot.”