Page 42

“Excellent,” I say, pulling into the street and heading in the opposite direction.

We are in the car for longer than I want, considering this is a date, but it is so worth it to see the sheer confusion on his face while he gazes at the neon restaurant sign when I come to a stop and park. “Wow, Will, you really know how to make a guy feel special.”

His hesitancy isn’t unwarranted since the place isn’t much to look at from the outside. Chipping, off-white paint on a squat building that could just as easily be a laundromat as it could be a place to eat, with nothing particularly memorable or even exceptional to inspire someone to stop and check the place out. A true hole-in-the-wall, yet also a hidden gem.

“I don’t fault you for failing to recognize such refined cuisine, but you will thank me later.”

Bailey snorts.

“Do you have food allergies or diet limitations or anything?”

“No?”

“Excellent,” I say with wicked laughter. Then I lean in to peck his cheek. “You stay here.”

“I don’t even get to come in?”

“Nope,” I say with a wide grin. “This is part of the surprise.”

“Okay,” he sighs.

He doesn’t have to wait for me long, since someone as cultured as myself is familiar with the menu and I know exactly what I wish to get in order for him to have the full experience. I’m back within minutes and I leave the folded bag in the backseat before pulling out of the parking lot.

“I see. You’re going to make me smell it the rest of the ride as punishment for questioning you,” Bailey says.

“Baby, if I wanted to torture you, it wouldn’t be with food.” I turn to smile at him before looking back at the road, not even pausing to watch his reaction. “Besides, we’re less than ten minutes from our final destination. And I’m going to make you close your eyes at the five-minute mark.”

“You’re too good at this secretive stuff,” he chuckles.

“No, this is called surprising someone, and it’s supposed to be fun,” I laugh with him.

“Yeah,” Bailey says with a heavy exhale. I’m not watching him while driving, but his voice sounds different. “I’m not so good with that.”

“I may have noticed.”

“Is it disappointing?” When I don’t readily respond, he adds, “With me being so friendly most of the time, some people get put-off. Even offended. It’s not personal though, I’m just…”

“It’s okay,” I say when he goes too long without finishing.

“It’s not you, but it’s you.” He groans. “That sounds awful.”

“Not judging. Go ahead and try again.”

Bailey takes a deep breath. “I like you a lot. And I’m a bit… guarded… so even admitting that much is a huge deal for me. It’s nothing you’ve done but… how I respond is because of you… and how much I like you.”

This man, I swear. He’s so sweet he could make a nun weep. “My turn.” With a steadying exhale, I collect my thoughts. “I have to ask. Is this like a trauma thing? Yes or no is sufficient, I don’t need details.”

“It doesn’t really matter how I got this way.”

“In that case, allyouneed to know is I like you a lot, too. And at the very least, I’d like us to be friends. You set the pace and go ahead and yell at me if I’m skirting a boundary, okay?”

“Okay,” he mumbles.

“Now close your eyes.” And I look over to confirm he has. “We’re almost there.”

I take the turnoff, and the car jostles a bit while we drive across the lawn to an available space. We got here early enough that there are plenty of great spots available. After parking the car, I say, “Go ahead and take a peek.”

“Oh my god,” Bailey exclaims. And the smile… not the Bailey smile. Not the shining and sweet expression I’ve seen so much. He’s so shocked, he doesn’t take the time to filter his reaction. His lips curve, but his mouth hangs open even as he turns to me. “I’ve always wanted to go to a drive-in.”