17 HAYESI haven’t been this nervous for a date in—well, ever. Wining and dining have always come easy to me. That’s my sweet spot. But doing this with Maren? When the stakes are so much higher than they ever were before? It’s a whole new ball game. I want tonight to be different. Special. I want Maren to feel worshipped like she never has before, like no man has ever made her feel. That’s why tonight, I’ve got more than one trick up my sleeve. “So, where are we going again?” Maren’s brow furrows slightly, making the faintest little crease between her eyebrows. She’s sitting in the passenger seat, wearing the kind of low-cut emerald-green dress that makes me want to pull over and pull her onto my lap. But for now, I push those thoughts aside and stay focused on navigating us through rush

