Thank Christ she doesn’t wear this sort of outfit at the pub. I’d never be able to hold a conversation with a customer or remember an order again.

She’s in a simple summer dress, but it’s red, has the tiniest hint of straps on her shoulders, and flows to mid-thigh.

My fingers itch to brush her skin there, and under the skirt, leading to the glories that lie beneath.

“He’s speechless,” Maggie says with a laugh. “That doesn’t happen often.”

“And that’s the truth of it,” I agree without any embarrassment at all. “I brought these for you.”

“Oh, how pretty. Thank you.” Izzy buries her nose in the pink roses and sniffs them delicately. “I’ll just put them in some water.”

“I can do that,” Maggie interrupts. “You two go have fun. I won’t even tease Keegan anymore.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Well, anymore today,” she amends and disappears into the kitchen with Izzy’s flowers.

“Shall we go?” I hold out my hand for Izzy’s.

“Absolutely.” She slips her hand into mine. I lead her out to the truck and open the door for her. Within just a few minutes, we’re driving away from Maggie’s house. “It smells really good in here.”

“I brought dinner with me. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.”

“You look beautiful.”

She turns that bright smile on me, and I feel my breath catch. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, no woman has ever tied me up in knots like this one does.

I pull into a parking space and turn to Izzy. “Wait for me.”

“Okay.”

I hop out of the truck, retrieve the basket from the backseat, and then circle the hood to open the door for my date.

“This is a gorgeous spot,” she says as I help her down and lead her over the grass toward the cliffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s a place I come to when I need to clear my head,” I admit and set the basket on a picnic table. “Lucky for us the breeze isn’t too bad today.”

“I’ve noticed it gets pretty windy here,” she observes and sits on the bench across from me. “It’s because of the ocean.”

“It is, yes. And in the winter, it can cut right through you. But it’s a lovely day today, and I thought we could enjoy the fresh air—and your tacos.”

“Tacos?” She claps her hands and dances in her seat.

“That’s right, and I brought some extra cilantro for you.”

“You know, I do enjoy a man who pays attention.” She rests her chin in her hand and watches me unpack the basket with a soft smile on her lovely face. “It’s a trait that’s rarer than you’d expect.”