“In Maryland they can bloom through the middle of November, especially when the weather is as warm as it’s been lately. I’ve actually never been given flowers before. It feels wonderful,” she admitted.

He cocked his head, giving her his full attention, and said, “I haven’t given them, either, and it feels great for me, too.”

Oh Lord, she loved that.

He turned back to the fire, trying to get the kindling to light, and she told herself not to make too much out of his confession. “I love that you picked them from the very spot I mentioned. I’m surprised you remembered.”

The fire crackled to life, the flames reflecting in his eyes. He shoved the lighter in his pocket and said, “I’ve got a good memory for important things.”

He thought she was important! Maybe she was special to him after all.

She looked at the to-go cups and said, “Is one of these for me?”

“Mm-hm. The one on the left is water with lemon.”

Her favorite drink. “Oh gosh, you remembered everything,” she said.

“I hope so. I got you a club salad with extra avocado, honey mustard dressing, and a side of grilled Brussel sprouts. To be honest, I had to check our old texts to remember what kind of dressing you liked.”

Inside she was doing a little happy dance, and she felt comfortable enough to tease him. “You did? Maybe I should rethink this date after all.”

He laughed.

She held up the flowers he’d given her and said, “Would you be offended if I put these in my water?”

“Hold on a sec.” He jumped out of the truck and went around to the front, grabbed something from the cab, and climbed back in with a plastic cup that had WHISKEY AUTOMOTIVE printed on the side and a bottle of water. He poured the water into the cup and held it out. “It’s not fancy, but it’ll do.”

“It’s perfect.” She put the flowers in the cup, and they settled in on the blankets.

Quincy leaned over and touched the best-friend charm on her necklace, the brush of his fingers on her skin sending prickles of heat through her. “Who’s got the other half?”

“The one I’m always whispering with. Angela.”

“Lucky girl.” He held her gaze so long, the air between them sizzled. When she shifted her eyes away, he began taking the tops off the containers and said, “Hungry? This food isn’t going to eat itself.”

She was in awe of everything he’d done. Even the way he’d surprised her was special. “This looks amazing, Quincy. Thank you for going to all this trouble.”

“Thanks for joining me.” As they started eating, he said, “How long have you taught dance?”

“Officially, a little more than a year.”

“What do you mean, officially?”

“I did some teaching when I was growing up. I’ve danced at this studio since I was five, two days a week at first, like Kennedy. But I loved it so much, dancing was all I wanted to do. I’d make up songs about whatever we were learning in school and dance in the halls, and at home while I did my chores.”