Page 112 of His Surrender

Aubrey looks just as beautiful in a cream sweater, tucked into dark jeans, her hair falling over one shoulder in loose waves.

“You coordinated.”

Aubrey glances down at herself before looking at Liana. “I didn’t even notice.”

I lean over and kiss her quickly. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you.”

I scratch the back of my neck. “I’ve really mastered this rugged disguise.”

She presses her lips together to keep from smiling. “I was actually talking about the man underneath it.”

I grab the diaper bag, then press the button to open the elevator doors.

“Careful, Miss Cooper,” I warn as I lean closer.

“Why?” she asks.

“You keep saying things like that, and we’re never going to make our reservation.”

The restaurant sits tucked away on the Upper West Side, the kind of place that caters to celebrities, politicians, and old-money families who value privacy over publicity.

I’ve been coming here for years.

The staff never stares or makes a scene. Exactly the way I like it.

We’re led to a quiet corner table in the back. Liana is asleep in her stroller, which I push into the corner.

I pull out Aubrey’s chair. She looks over her shoulder.

“Thank you,” she says with a surprised pitch.

I take a seat next to her. “Was that a question?”

She blows out a breath. “No, I’m just not used to anyone pulling out a chair for me.”

My head tilts to the side. “Why not? I’m sure you’ve been on plenty of dates.”

I don’t particularly like the idea of her going on dates. But I also want the answer.

“Well, would I call them dates? I mean, I’ve gone out to dinner with guys. But on a college student’s budget. And they never pulled out my chair.”

Right, college. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about that or been in the position as a broke college student.

She makes it so easy to forget that she’s only twenty-two.

“Aubrey …” I shake my head. “A man shouldn’t wait until he can afford to treat a woman well before he starts acting like she deserves it.”

She looks down at the table, absent-mindedly tracing the edge of her napkin with one finger. “No one’s ever said something like that to me.”

Her confession is so quiet that I almost miss it.

“Then someone should’ve.”

The waiter comes over and takes our order.

Just as he is approaching with our food, Liana starts to move around in the stroller. She blinks her sleepy blue eyes open before stretching both arms over her head.