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Jacob had been right about one thing. Jesse was very lucky that Lake hadn’t found someone else in the time that Jesse had been an idiot. Jesse couldn’t take the chance of losing Lake before he even got to really know him.

Jesse wasn’t blowing this chance!

He hurried over to the table and pushed in three chairs. On one chair he set a booster seat. Huh, not high enough. Pillow! He had a couple pillows in the closet from when he slept in his office on the couch. Jesse piled the pillows on the booster seat. Perfect.

Next, he added two long-stem candles. Then added the vase of a dozen pink roses in front of the chair for Lake. Once that was done, Jesse opened the curtains to the large floor-to-ceiling windows to show the gorgeous nighttime view of the strip.

Now all of that was set up, Jesse turned toward the food cart. Silver domes covered the three plates. Three glasses of ice water and a bowl of lemons. Jesse grabbed those first and put them in place.

His phone beeped. His guest was on the way from the elevator.

He carefully moved the plates where they belonged.

Three places for the three plates.

Jesse turned at the light knock on the open door. “Hi.”

Lake shifted nervously as he hovered in the doorway. Zeb was clutched to Lake’s chest. “Hi.”

“I have dinner ready for us,” Jesse said, motioning Lake forward.

Lake shuffled inside the office slowly.

Wanting Lake to be comfortable with him, Jesse left the door open. Jesse would know if anyone exited the elevator.

“Here.” Jesse held his hand out for Zeb. “I have a place for our beautiful boy.”

Lake beamed as he passed Zeb over.

Jesse placed Zeb into the pillow-covered booster seat before turning back toward Lake. Jesse pulled out the chair. “And for the other pretty baby.”

Lake blushed just like Jesse knew he would.

“Come on,” Jesse encouraged. “We don’t want the food to get cold.”

“Okay.” Lake sat and Jesse pushed the chair in.

Jesse sat across from Lake. He lifted Lake’s dome first. “Avocado and veggie grain bowl with cilantro sauce. It’s from the best vegan restaurant in town. Something light and yummy.”

Lake’s eyes were huge. “It smells so good!”

“And for our pretty boy, some lettuce.” Jesse lifted the dome off Zeb’s plate.

Lake clapped and cheered.

“And finally, mine. I ordered a creamy broccoli and tomato plant-based pasta. Completely vegan in case you’d like a bite,” Jesse told him.

“Oh! You didn’t have to order—”

“Sweet baby,” Jesse said. “It’s a pleasure to order something we can share.”

Lake dropped his gaze then looked up. “You called me baby.”

Jesse swallowed hard. “I did.”

“I liked it,” Lake said softly.

“I like saying it,” Jesse confessed.