TWENTY-FIVE

Zane strode down the road, replayed the chaotic discussion that led to Olivia agreeing to a date and tried to pinpoint the moment he'd worn her down. Not a positive way to view the situation, but what the hell? He was a work in progress.

A fact he was trying to get comfortable with each and every day.

He ran his hand down the front of his dress shirt and told himself he was more than ready to show Olivia that he was worth the gamble. No more wishy-washy bullshit. He was going all in. Damn the consequences.

He glanced down at Killer. "Be on your best behavior, little man. Don't annoy Bella and nip at her heels. We're showing those Bennett women that the men from the Hawker family are the gold standard." The little white dog barked out an agreement and trotted along like he was in the Westminster dog show. "Easy now. We're the supporting players, not the stars."

Olivia's house came into view, and he gripped the bouquet. "Show time." His phone pinged with an alert, and he checked it quickly. "Looks like supper was delivered. The stage is set."

He strode to Olivia's door and pressed the doorbell, telling himself success was within reach. The door swung open, and he was thankful his lungs were full of air. His girl was a freaking knockout. "There has never been a more beautiful woman in the history of the world." He pushed the flowers in her direction and was relieved when she took them. A nervous smile curved her full lips, and his gut settled just a little. Perhaps he wasn't the only one with a stomach full of nerves.

Killer trotted into the house, and they both let out a laugh simultaneously. "Believe it or not, we talked about manners before arriving."

"Bella and I are not offended by enthusiasm." She trailed her finger over the petal of one of the peonies. "It's one of our favorite things."

"That's good news all around because both the dog and I have a ton of it." He held out his hand. "You ready for our date?"

"Let me just grab my purse."

"You won't need it; we're not going far." A look of disappointment crossed her face, and he told himself it wouldn't remain there long. Once she saw what was in store, she'd likely have nothing but smiles and kind words.

At least, he hoped that's what happened.

"Okay, Zane." She set the flowers on the entry table and then took his hand. "You look handsome, by the way."

He led her across the yard. "How you say those words with a straight face, I'll never know."

"I see the whole you and not just a couple of scars on your cheek." She swung their hands. "I thought you were handsome from the moment we met, and that hasn't changed. A person's attractiveness is the sum of their heart, mind and soul, not individual bits and pieces."

"I think your kindness colors your perception, but I will not argue the point. The fact that you still have any goodwill to throw in my direction is a damn miracle, and I'm just gonna enjoy it."

"A wise choice."

The Ferris wheel came into view, and he heard Olivia let out a little gasp. "I hope you like the details, I added." He watched her eyes crawl over the fairy lights he'd threaded through the wheel, along with the ribbons he'd attached to the gondolas. Was her awestruck expression a good sign? "You ready for your first ride?"

"But don't you remember, I have a height thing."

"Not a problem, babe. I've got you covered."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent." He bent down and kissed her cheek. "You can trust me."

"I hope so," she muttered, following him to a pink gondola.

Zane opened the door with a flourish and helped Olivia in. He plucked two thermoses out of the picnic basket that sat on a large plaid blanket and then climbed into the gondola. "Once we've christened the ride properly, we can have supper."

"And how do you define christen, sir?"

He threw her a wink and closed the door behind him. "I guess that depends on how much you like what I'm about to say." He handed her the pink thermos. "Any kind gestures will be accepted with gratitude."

"Interesting," she said, taking the thermos.

He pulled his phone out and hit the playlist Linc had made. Music filled the yard, and he watched her move closer. "How are you doing?"

"Nervous."

He took her hand. "Liv, I would never put you in danger."

"I know."

"Do you?"

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Good, because here we go." He pushed the amusement ride icon on his phone and heard the engine stir to life. He uncapped her thermos and then did the same with his own. "Here's to making your dreams come true."

Olivia took a gulp and then smiled. "My favorite wine, how perfect."

"Figured having you as relaxed as possible was a good idea." The gondola rose slowly off the ground, and Olivia moved closer, digging her fingers into his. When they were about four feet in the air, it stopped gently.

"Is that it?" she asked, looking over the side of the carriage.

"Yep. I figured it was about all the thrill you could take. If need be, you can jump out and not risk injury."

She let out a strangled laugh. "Holy moly, is the speech you're about to give me going to be that bad?"

"I hope not."

"This is perhaps one of the best surprises I've ever had." She took a long drink and then looked across the yard. "I didn't think you had a romantic bone in your whole body."

"Seems I have quite a few." He kissed her head, feeling his heart do some sort of strange tango. "I knew this idea had a fifty-fifty chance of going sideways. I'm relieved you trusted me enough to give it a shot."

She peered over the side and sucked in a breath. "I kinda like it up here."

"Want to go a little higher?" He held up his phone with a wide smile.

"No thanks." She gave him a confident wink. "I may still need to jump out."

"Fair enough." He slid his arm over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Liv."

"For what?"

"Giving you mixed messages about my interest, vacillating between all in and running away." He traced her hand. "I'm talking to a therapist twice a week now and am committed to my mental health."

"That's the best news, Zane. You deserve all the good that comes your way. Forgiving yourself and evicting those bad old demons will make that possible."

"Thanks, babe." He let gratitude fill his chest, did as his therapist instructed, and simply sat with the good feeling. "Do you think giving me a second chance is possible somewhere down the road?"

"What exactly do you want a chance at?"

Hearing the uncertainty in her voice made his heart pinch. Didn't she realize that she was his one and shot at happiness? "Everything." He tightened his hold. "I want it all."

"Define all."

"I'd like to start with dating." A disgruntled sigh competed with the sound of the music. "I have a lot to learn about how to be in a relationship successfully. There is a ton of work to do, and I'm hoping," he looked down and told himself the tilt of her mouth was a good sign, "you'll be patient while I figure things out."

"I have some work to do too." She looked up. "You weren't wrong when you called me on my reluctance to go all in." Breathing slowly, she ran her finger over the thermos. "I have my own set of fears that need to be processed."

Peace flooded his system, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt it. If ever. "What say, we do the hard stuff together and give this thing a shot?"

Olivia took a gulp of wine and then another. "Well…I guess…"

He dipped his head. "Is that a yes to being my girlfriend or a strong maybe?"

She pushed her lips together. "It's a yes, Zane."

Seeing the love in her beautiful eyes made his once shriveled heart expand to twice its size. "I can't sing, write sonnets, or even cook you a decent meal, but I can fix things." He pressed a small kiss to her mouth. "I started with the Ferris wheel and hope to end with mending the crack I made in your heart."

"Your brother said you had a knack for taking things apart and making them better; maybe that's what you're about to do for me."

"I've fallen for you, Liv. And I want…I hope that someday I can have the privilege of holding a piece of your heart."

She looked up. "Silly man, you already do."

His heart tried to beat its way out of his chest, and he told himself he deserved happiness. "Good! And know that I plan on showing you every day that the fiercest part of me will always protect the softest part of you."

Pulling him close, she kissed him firmly. "And to think, I didn't even have to put a spell on you."

"Babe, you cast your magic the minute we met. There is no more you and me…only us."

"That's the best kind of news since I'm going to do my best to love you without a single string attached."

"It's you and me from here on out."

"And the dogs," she added before crawling into his lap.

"Of course." The gondola swayed with the weight shift, and he laughed when she scrabbled closer. "Don't worry, babe, I got you."

"You better," she squeaked.

"Trust me. I don't plan on ever letting go."

And he meant it. He was all in and planned to show her what that meant for the rest of their days.