“What if I told you there was?”
I blew out a laugh. “On a Sunday? That place is packed on the weekends. Especially with the weather being so nice.”
“I understand that. But what if I could guarantee there wouldn’t be a crowd? That the only people there would be those we invited?”
I gave him a sideways glance, my pulse steadily increasing. “What are you saying?”
He tightened his hold on my hands. “I’m saying I just rented out the place. At least until five o’clock, which is when they kick out anyone who’s underage anyway.”
I blinked, unsure I heard him correctly. “Are… Are you telling me you rented out Skyline Park for the afternoon so my daughter could still hang out with her friends?”
“It’s your decision,” he quickly replied. “I can call back and cancel, but since they were getting ready to open, I had to give them an answer right away. So you can think about it. If you still have concerns, I completely understand. I’m not attempting to take your decision-making power away. Just giving you another option. I—”
Before he could utter another syllable, I flung my arms around him. “This may be the sweetest, kindest thing anyone’s ever done for her.”
He relaxed into my embrace, holding me close. “I love her.” He pulled back. “And I think we could all benefit from a break from all of this for a few hours.”
“You’ve got that right.”
“So let’s take a break. Plus, I’ve never taken you on an actual date.”
I furrowed my brow. “We went out in Hawaii. You took me to dinner that first night. And to your Little League field. And the farmer’s market that one afternoon.”
He cupped my cheeks. “Those didn’t count. Not in my mind. That was before we decided to do this. When we thought we could experience this amazing connection and still walk away.”
He moved his hands from my face, sliding them down my arms and linking his fingers with mine.
“Now that we’re really together and you’re okay with allowing the world to see us, I’d like to take you out. So please, Julia. Will you go out with me?” He playfully waggled his brows. “It may not be the gourmet meal I treated you to in Hawaii…and if that’s what you prefer, I’ll make that happen once things settle down a bit…but—”
I pressed my mouth to his. “Yes, Lachlan. I’d love to go out with you.” Pulling back, I flashed him a devious grin. “If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll let you cop a feel on one of the rides.”
“Oh, I plan on getting very lucky.”