She looks me up and down with a quizzical expression on her beautiful face, the ends of her short blonde hair brushing her jaw.

“You said this is like a blanket on the ground situation, right?”

“Yup.”

“So, where’s your blanket?”

One corner of my mouth quirks up, and her expression shifts from questioning to amused.

“I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry.”

Her lips purse in a stifled smile, but she doesn’t press me to tell her. Perhaps since we’re here now she has enough patience to wait until we walk down the path.

Placing her hand on my bicep, I pull her close to me and guide us down the path. Thankfully, Lottie has more sensible taste in shoes than my sister, and we make it to the grassy field relatively easily.

There are already a few dozen people here, their blankets spread across the ground and couples paired up close together while they wait for the movie to start. As usual, Dottie has set up a snack table offering free popcorn, water, and an array of toppings to make “gourmet” popcorn.

Lottie gasps at my side, and I turn to find her wide-eyed and smiling so big I’m sure I can see every one of her teeth.

“Wow, this looks amazing. Can we get some popcorn? I love dipping mine in nacho cheese.”

“Of course, but first, let’s find our spot.”

She nods and lets me lead her to the far back corner, slightly separated from the majority of the people clumping closer to the screen. I like having a little space from everyone, and being out of direct ear shot of others will benefit us both. I don’t plan on sitting silently watching the movie. I’m going to use every opportunity I have to get to know Lottie better.

Nestled against a fallen tree trunk, I find the next surprise I have planned for Lottie. A large thick blanket is spread across the ground a few pillows propped against the trunk with a small cooler sitting nearby. Which hopefully holds surprise number three.

“Here we are,” I announce when we approach the impeccably set up picnic. Ginger did good, I’ll have to thank her. She’s never going to let me forget it.

“Is this for us?” She kneels and scoots onto the blanket, making herself comfortable and setting her Polaroid camera to the side, not even waiting for me to confirm it’s ours.

“Yup. All ours. I like to have my space. Plus, I like having a backrest, but I also want to cuddle with you and keep you warm. Because once the sun goes down, that thin thing you call a top isn’t going to keep you warm.”

Her laughter is bright and warm, and I bask in its ease. Sitting down next to her, I lean against the plethora of pillows, making sure to press myself up close to her side. She doesn’t protest and reciprocates the gesture, settling in and getting comfortable. The act has my inner beast growling in pleasure. Lottie may be coming around to the idea of us—the idea of being my mate.

“How did you do all this?” she asks.

“Ginger helped.”

“Well, remind me to thank her because this is great.” She takes in the nest of blankets and pillows my sister assembled. I’ll admit it is very comfortable.

“So, what’s in the cooler? Is it another surprise?” she asks eagerly.

“As long as my sister was able to acquire what I asked, then yes. Go on, open it up.”

Sliding the cooler in front of her, she sits up and lifts the lid, her eyes going wide at its contents. The special meal I asked Ginger to pick up from Jared for tonight.

“I know our little town isn’t anything close to Los Angeles, but you mentioned wanting sushi the other day, and I thought maybe I could give you something you’re missing.”

She reaches in and pulls out a clear container filled with rice-wrapped sushi rolls. I’m not a sushi expert by any means, but they look good to me. I had no doubt Jared would be able to make them even though they don’t offer them on the menu at Dottie’s. He is an extremely talented chef, and I had full trust he could if he had the ingredients. I’m just happy he was able to on such short notice.

“Oh my goodness, Hunter. This is the best surprise ever. I love it. Thank you. Sushi is my favorite, and I have been craving it. Where did you get it? I haven’t found it anywhere in town.”

My chest swells, and my spine straightens ever so slightly under her praise. I was able to give her something no other could.

“I have my connections. I am the mayor, after all.”

“Well, you may have to introduce me to your connection because if this tastes as good as it looks, I’m going to need more.”