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I can’t completely make out the thoughts behind her eyes, but I catch a flash of excitement. She turns back to her food to try to hide her smile, but I catch it anyway.

“I don’t know. Anything?”

“Anything.”

“I’ve always wanted to try an escape room,” she says, already squirming in her seat. “Would you want to?”

I’ve never wanted anything more.

Four hours and three escapes later, Charli and I are setting yet another record for quickest escape in the company’s history.

She pumps her fist in the air, looking downright adorable. “We did it!” she squeals. “I mean, I knew we would, but I didn’t think it would be that fast. That was crazy.”

I’m chuckling as I hold the door open for her. “I don’t think the guy at the front desk knew what to do with us. Pretty sure he thought we cheated.”

“Pfft. I’m fantastic at puzzles. I don’t need to cheat.”

The memory of Charli solving the Rubik’s cube in ninety seconds flat hits me. “No, you do not. I was very impressed.”

She grins up at me, beaming with pride. “As you should be.”

I slide my hands into the pockets of my jeans, shaking my head with a smile. “Alright, Albert Einstein. Where to next? Did those puzzles work up an appetite yet?”

“How did you—” She shakes her head. “Never mind. I need to stop questioning your observation skills. Yes, I’m hungry. Are you?”

I shrug. “I could eat.” Looking at the street we’re coming up on, I add, “I’m trying to remember what’s around here that you might like.” Then I snap my fingers. “Wait. I know exactly where we can go.”

I usher her along quickly, eager to get to the restaurant now that I’ve thought of it. “I know I said I would make you a Mexican feast, but”—when we turn the corner, I gesture proudly at the building across the street—“Mi Vida can do it better than I ever could.”

I want to pump my fist in the air at the sight of her excitement. “Oh my God, I would kill for an enchilada right now,” she groans. “If this place is good, this might become my favorite Saturday ever.”

It’s already my favorite Saturday ever.

When we go in, we order at the counter before taking a seat at one of the old booths. While Charli sips happily on the bottled drink she grabbed, I settle in with my back against the wall and my legs stretched out along the booth.

I watch as she shifts her attention to the chips and guacamole in the center of the table. She silently offers me some, but I just shake my head and grab a chip plain.

“I can’t do guacamole,” I admit. “Nico shoved my face into a bowl when we were teenagers, and I swear, I can still feel the texture in my nose.”

Charli lets out a snort and takes another scoop from the bowl. “Why did he do that?”

A beat of hesitation. “Because I may or may not have shoved his face in the bowl first.”

Smiling, she shakes her head. “You’re a menace.” She takes another happy bite. “What were you like as a teenager? All those decades ago?”

“Watch it,” I growl. “Making me feel old is a good way to get spanked.”

Her gasp is audible, so I shoot her a wink and say, “Duly noted. Maybe I’ll give you that lesson tonight.”

Her cheeks pinken, and she waves me off, clearly flustered. “Lucas, focus. I asked you a question.”

I accept her subject change, though I make a mental note to include some spanking when I take her to bed tonight. I’m hard just thinking about it.

“What was I like as a teenager? Well, this probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but I was valedictorian and captain of the debate team.”

She rolls her eyes, though there’s a hint of fondness. “Shocking. What else?”

I pop another chip into my mouth. “Well, I was always playing some kind of sport, but I never gravitated toward any specifically. I just liked being active.”