Jack grinned. “Surprise!”
He pushed on the door, and to my surprise, it opened. He stepped inside and waited for me to follow him. There was a blonde woman behind the counter, whose face split into a massive grin. Jack took a deep breath. “Remmy, this is Lawson. Lawson, this is my dear friend and owner of Scottsdale’s finest bakery, Remmy.”
“Hello,” Remmy said to me. Her whole face smiled, if that were possible. Then she quickly looked at Jack. Something silent very briefly passed between them. “Right. I’ll be off. Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave.” She grabbed her bag and was gone with the jingle of the bell on the door. Jack locked the door behind her, and it was then I noticed the room. There was a small table set for two with a covered basket of baked goods in the centre, some bottles of some kind of drink, and a small white vase with a single flower.
He must have caught me looking at it. “It’s a native daisy,” Jack said quietly. “The botanical name is Helichrysum milliganii or Milligan’s everlasting daisy. It’s found here in Scottsdale. I thought it would be a nice touch.”
I was utterly speechless.
Jack swallowed hard. “I’m not strictly a fancy guy. I could take you to the best restaurants and order the most expensive wines, but you wanted a surprise. And I wanted to do something that shows you who I am. I’m just an ordinary guy, and this is my friend’s bakery. Remmy’s French, her husband, Nico, is Portuguese. Between them they make the best pies and pastries anywhere. And I thought this would be private.”
“This is perfect.” I looked at him and had to swallow past the lump in my throat. “And you’re not just an ordinary guy.”
His smile was pure relief. “You sure this is okay?”
I nodded. “Quite.”
He pulled out my seat and I was gifted with a waft of his aftershave as I sat down. “I will admit to being nervous when you pulled up in the street. I thought we might be going to the pub.”
Jack took his seat and gave me a soft smile. “Why were you nervous?”
I smoothed out the fabric on my thighs. “I’m not exactly the type of guy welcome at most small town pubs.”
“The guys here aren’t too bad. Like I said, I’ve never hidden the fact I’m gay, and no one’s ever said a thing to me.”
“Because you’re over six feet tall and built like a mountain. I, on the other hand, am not. And my fashion sense tends to offend the masculinity of some men.” I shrugged. “I also don’t find conversation about sport or lewd jokes about women terribly appealing.”
Jack fought a smile. “I do like football, though I prefer union, which isn’t too popular here. And I’m happy to say I’ve never heard lewd jokes from the guys here. Not that I frequent the pub too much.” He looked at my shirt and tie, then back to my eyes. “I happen to love your fashion sense. I never realised that I would find bow ties so appealing.”
I could feel my face heat at his words and was grateful he didn’t push it. He simply uncovered the basket between us to reveal a selection of what looked like pies and a folded note on top. “Dinner,” Jack said. “I asked Remmy what she’d serve to someone she was trying to impress. She said to leave it to her.” He took the folded note and opened it, smiling when he read it. He then handed it to me. It was a handwritten menu.
Lamb, mint, and honey pastry parcels made with fresh and local ingredients, served with baked vegetable cups. Suggest the local brewed apple cider to accompany. Desserts in the fridge. Enjoy!
“Wow.” It was so personal and so intimate, but relaxed. It couldn’t have been more perfect for me. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t this. If you wanted to impress, you’ve succeeded.”
Jack slid some portions of pastries onto my plate. “Remmy deserves the credit. I just had the idea and set up the table, she did the rest.” He poured me a glass of apple cider, then himself, and held his glass up. “Cheers.”
I clinked my glass to his. “To the most unique first date I’ve ever had.”
Jack grinned. “I’m glad.”
I sipped the cider and hummed my appreciation. “This is good.”
“It’s locally produced, not too far from here, actually.”
“You’re very proud of where you live, aren’t you?”
He nodded. “I love it here. Small towns aren’t for everyone, I get that. But I feel a part of the community here. I contribute and am rewarded with friends who make the most unique ever first dates happen.” He smiled. “I like the quiet life.”
“I can appreciate that. City living has its perks, but it is draining.”
“You’re from Melbourne?” he asked. I nodded. “So, tell me about you. What’s the Lawson Gale story?”
“There’s not much to tell,” I started.
“You’re a lepidopterist with an IQ to rival Einstein. Believe me, there’s a lot to tell.”
I took a forkful of pastry and meat and savoured the taste before talking again. “Wow, that is exceptionally good.” Then I answered his question. “I grew up in Melbourne, lived there all my life. Studied at Melbourne University. My parents weren’t too happy about my chosen career but accepted it as my decision.” I ate some more, this time of the vegetable cup. It was filled with sweet potato, eggplant, and artichoke, drizzled with feta and balsamic glaze. It was incredible. I got so side tracked eating, I forgot to keep talking.
Though Jack seemed happy to watch me eat. His eyes were trained on my mouth, his lips parted lasciviously. The look of desire on his face sent a bloom of heat through my chest. I wondered if he’d think it unbecoming of me if I stood up, stepped around the table, took his face in my hands, and kissed him.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jack
I put my fork down and took a mouthful of cider to douse the desire flaming in my belly. If Lawson moaned one more time when he ate or let the fork slide between his lips seductively like that again, I wasn’t sure my promise of being a gentleman would be upheld.
Jesus. He was so sexy, and what made him even hotter was that he seriously had no clue how sensual he was.
“I’m sorry,” he said, sipping his cider. “This is so good I keep forgetting to continue talking. Please tell Remmy I am duly impressed with her culinary skills.”
“I will.” I ate another mouthful and swallowed, trying to get my thoughts back on track. “Tell me about your family.”
I learned he had a brother and sister, both older than him. He was named after Henry Lawson; his brother, Paterson, and his sister, Mackellar, were also named after famous Australian poets. All three were gifted children. “Needless to say, our time at school wasn’t easy. Being the children with unusual names who preferred reading didn’t make for cohesive schooling. I’m very close with my brother and sister; we all speak often. Paterson studied nuclear medicine. Mackellar, interventional epidemiological research.”
“Wow.”