Page 46 of Take My Name

When we finally get to the top, my mouth falls open at thepicnicWarren set up for us. Instead of a blanket over grass, it’s a full setup on the flat gravel overlooking the other side of the mountains.

A table, two chairs, a vase of purple and pink roses—my favorite colors—and a spread of food.

“Wow, Warren…this is—” I look at him in awe, shocked he’d go to so much trouble for a lunch date.

“This is what I thought I was doin’ when I first brought you up here to ask you to be mine. My resources were a smidge limited back then.”

I can’t help smiling. “It’s quite the upgrade from PB&J sandwiches.”

He smirks, shrugging. “Thought it’d be fun to revisit, even asold friends. But I also wanted to show off my cookin’ skills.”

“What’d you make?” I walk closer, but he stays next to me.

“It’s nothin’ fancy…” He lifts one of the plate covers and reveals something that looks delicious. “Homemade croissants with walnut chicken salad.”

“You—” I point at him. “Made that?”

“All from scratch.”

“When did you have time to do all this?”

“I can never sleep in, even whenI have the day off.” He shrugs it off like it’s no big deal, but I think this is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever experienced.

It’s not flashy, which I appreciate considering how over the top my parents are and how every time Hayes and I go out to a restaurant, I have to be in full glam or I’ll stand out for being underdressed.

Warren pulls out one of the chairs and waits for me to sit before pushing me in.

“The view hasn’t changed, though. It’s so beautiful.” The sun’s high in the sky, reflecting over the trees and rivers that travel through the valleys.

“It really is.” His voice is so low, I almost don’t hear him, but then I find his gaze on me instead.

He lifts the other plate covers and reveals a fruit and dessert platter.

“Damn, you’re gonna have to carry me back after makin’ me eat all of this.” But it looks so good, I wouldn’t even care.

We dig in, and I moan at how good the croissant tastes, then make him tell me how the hell he made it. I always wanted to learn to cook, especially since my mother never did. We always had a personal chef to cater all our meals.

But my job always came first, so I never made time.

“Maybe one of ourdatescan be you teachin’ me how to make something.”

His brow arches, and I laugh at his shocked face. “You’d wanna learn?”

“Assumin’ I can…” I drawl.

“If I can figure out how to use an oven, I have no doubt you can.”

“I appreciate the confidence, but I smoked out my entire apartment floor when I hit the broil buttoninstead of bake.”

Warren chokes on the grape he popped into his mouth and has a coughing fit trying to get it out.

“Shit, are you okay?” I’m halfway out of my seat when he holds up a hand and nods.

“That”—he takes a drink, swallowing hard—“is impressive work, even for you.”

“Yeah, they sent me an eviction notice the next week.”

“I’ll make sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand.”