Page 67

“Hey, Rooster,” someone calls and I look back at the window as Nero, the owner of the food truck, comes up to take my order. “Your usual?”

I nod. “Yeah, but add on an order of birria tacos and a beer.”

I glance back and Lennon is settled on the bench of the picnic table she selected, staring out at the water.

“Oh, shit,” Nero says and I turn back to him. “You brought a date.”

I scoff. “Try not to sound so shocked, Nero.”

“My friend, you’ve been coming here for years and I ain’t never seen you bring anyone else with you. This is damn near monumental.”

“Shut up,” I fire back, rolling my eyes. “Just get us our food, man.”

He laughs. “I can call my cousin to come over here and bring his guitar.”

“Why?”

“He can serenade you,” he says, his accent butchering the word. “It’ll add to the ambiance.”

I shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest and fighting back a smile. “What the hell do you know about ambiance, Nero?”

“Que carajo?” Nero says, gesturing towards the tables in front of his truck. “Look at this place. String lights, music, river view. I know all about ambiance.”

My brow arches and my grin is harder to fight. “Nero, you sell tacos out of a truck.”

“Si,” he fires back immediately. “And the people don’t just come here for these bomb ass tacos. They come for the ambiance.”

I let out the laugh I’ve been holding back. “I’ll give you that, man, but maybe don’t call your cousin this time.”

“Oh, this time, eh?” He flashes me a grin. “So, we’re already thinking about the next time?”

“Shut up, dude,” I say but I’m already distracted, glancing over at Lennon and thinking about taking her out again. Her on the back of my bike, her holding my hand and getting another kiss from her.

I like that.

A lot.

“Go sit with your lady, my friend,” Nero says, nodding towards the table Lennon is sitting at. “I’ll have your food out shortly.”

My lady.

Fuck.

I shouldn’t like how damn good that sounds.

But I do.

I nod and thank him before heading over to the table Lennon picked out for us. She turns and watches me approach, the hint of a smile on her lips like she’s got a secret.

And I’m desperate to uncover every single one.

“Nice spot,” I tell her, gesturing to the table as I sit across from her and she grins.

“I thought so.” She meets my eyes before turning to look back at the sun sinking toward the river. “It has a nice view.”

My gaze stays locked on her. “I agree.”

She turns back and our eyes meet, color rushing to her cheeks before she shakes her head. “Okay, Dalton… you got me here for dinner. Now what are you going to do with me?”