where he was stranded on a deserted island with the handsome hero, a pilot and military man with black hair and piercing gray eyes.
“You look happy.”
Fitz opened his eyes and smiled. “That’s because I am.”
“I’m glad.” Jack placed a plate covered with a silver dome in front of Fitz. “Don’t worry, a professional chef cooked this. No kitchen appliances were harmed in the making of this dinner.” He picked up the bottle on the table and popped the cork. “Champagne?”
“What kind of man do you take me for?” Fitz held up his glass and tapped the side of it.
Jack leaned down and pressed his lips to Fitz’s. “An incredible one.”
“Don’t forget pretty,” Fitz teased.
“Gorgeous.”
The way Jack said that one little word had Fitz feeling light-headed, and he hadn’t even had any champagne yet. Champagne poured, Jack sat across from Fitz, and they talked as they enjoyed the mouthwatering three-course dinner. The first bite of jerk-rubbed salmon had Fitz moaning.
“This is amazing.”
“You mentioned you love salmon, so I asked the chef to make you his best salmon dish.”
The warmth that spread through Fitz had nothing to do with the champagne and everything to do with the thoughtful, attentive man sitting across from him. Over a week ago they’d had a conversation about the guys cooking, where Fitz made a passing comment about how much he loved salmon while they’d been discussing Joker’s aversion to seafood. He hadn’t expected Jack to remember, but that was Jack.
In the time Fitz had known Jack, he’d come to realize Jack was a small-gestures kind of guy. He let Fitz know how much he cared in all the little things he did, whether it was stopping by the grocery store on his way home from work to buy Fitz his favorite ice cream or grabbing the one blanket out of dozens when Fitz had said he was cold because he knew that was the one Fitz liked most. Or the drool-worthy key lime pie with whipped cream and berries Jack had just placed in front of him because it was Fitz’s favorite. Fitz blinked back the tears threatening to pool in his eyes. If his granny were alive, bless her soul, she would have said, “Fitzy, you marry that man right now!”
“Can I ask a bold question?” Fitz asked as he tried his hardest not to lick the plate clean. My God, that had been the best key lime pie he had ever tasted.
“Always.” Jack stood and held out a hand, which Fitz took without hesitation. He followed Jack down the steps and past some palms to a clearing on the beach that revealed two beach chairs flanked by tiki torches. Fitz took a seat, waiting for Jack to sit beside him.
“If I hadn’t been the winning date, would you have still brought your date here?”
“Nope.”
The complete lack of hesitation sent a shiver through Fitz. Jack had picked this place especially for him.
“In fact, I’m the first to bring a date here.”
“Really?” That surprised Fitz. This place was incredible and made the perfect romantic getaway.
“This place is special, and not just because it’s beautiful. When we opened Four Kings Security, we had no idea how the whole private security thing would work out. We were still finding our footing with so many things, trying to adjust to our new norm. Mrs. Boutros, who I mentioned earlier, wasn’t just one of our first clients; she was the first life we saved as civilians. We felt useful again. It lit a fire in us we thought had been extinguished.”
“I’m so very happy to hear that, Jack. I can’t begin to imagine how hard it must have been for you all.” Fitz dropped his gaze to his fingers. “Everyone needs to feel useful.”
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”
Fitz jerked his head up. “Oh God no. I’m sorry. We’re on an amazing date on a private island, and I’m getting all maudlin on you.”
Jack reached over and covered Fitz’s hand with his. “This really amazing guy I know told me that talking about the darkness can sometimes bring a little light into it. I’ll always be here to listen.”
It took Fitz a few heartbeats before he came to a decision. His family was something he rarely talked about. He’d learned a long time ago to keep who he was to himself. Mostly because it had the habit of sending men running in the opposite direction, several believing Fitz was high-maintenance enough without adding his parents into the mix.
“Not a