Just One Wish (The Kingston Family 4.50)

“Thanks, Mom.” She glanced out the window and saw Axel pull into the parking lot.

Wanting to avoid her mother’s interrogation, she walked over and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Say hi to Glenn for me. I see Axel’s car. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before her mother could reply, Tara waved and rushed for the door.

She stepped outside at the same time Axel climbed out of his convertible. “No need to get out. I’m here and ready.”

“I can still open your door for you.” He grinned, looking sexy as ever in his jeans, a navy tee, and sunglasses tucked into the round collar of his shirt.

He stopped her before she could pass him and head to the passenger side, placing his hands on her waist. “Hello, Tara.” He dipped his head and kissed her lips.

A little happy sigh escaped. Dammit. “Hi, yourself,” she said as he lifted his mouth from hers.

With his hand on her back, he walked her around the back end of the car, opened the door, and helped her in, shutting the door.

He climbed into the driver seat and turned on the engine.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He placed an arm on her seat, turning her way. “Depends on you. Are you hungry?”

Her grumbling stomach answered for her. “Starving. I barely had time for lunch.”

“How’s pizza?”

“That sounds perfect.”

He nodded, and a few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of her favorite pizza place. They ordered quickly, and since the place wasn’t packed, the food came out fast.

She glanced at him, taking a sip of her soda. “I’m going to apologize ahead of time,” she said, picking up a slice, taking a bite, and moaning at the cheesy flavor. She chewed, swallowed, and repeated, until she’d nearly finished the one slice in record time.

She wasn’t even embarrassed.

It wasn’t until she finished, drank some more, and looked up that she noticed him watching her, a huge smile on his handsome face.

“You weren’t kidding about being starving. I think you need to make time for food. It’s not good for you to be that hungry.”

She nodded. “I know, but sometimes there are emergencies, and the day just gets away from me. Did you guys work in the studio today?” she asked as she took another slice.

This time he picked up a piece for himself. “We’ve been working on music since I joined the band.” He took a bite, taking the time to chew and swallow. “The guys had songs ready, and I had to learn those and give my two cents because … that’s me. Then we wrote together, used some, tossed more… Today we finished the final song for the album.” He followed that up with another bite.

“He says so easily.” She studied him, proud of all he’d accomplished. “You’re amazing, Axel. You’ve really achieved your dreams.”

“Not all of them,” he said, meeting her gaze and holding hers captive so she was unable to look away.

His expression was serious, his lips in a set line, obviously attempting to impart a serious tone to their night.

She didn’t want that kind of date. “What are we doing after pizza?” she asked, breaking the spell he’d woven over her.

He blinked and refocused, shaking his head before he replied. “It’s a surprise but I promise it’s right up your alley.”

She wondered what he had in mind.

“If you want to find out, finish eating so we can get going,” he said, his easy grin back on his face.

A little while later, she was beyond full, the kind of full where she’d eaten faster than she’d digested and now regretted the last slice. He paid, signed autographs for a group of teenage girls who’d walked in, and they headed outside.

“Come on. Let’s walk,” he said, clasping her hand in his.

They strode along the sidewalk, talking about her day and Lucky, the dog who’d eaten chocolate, until Axel stopped in front of the pet store at the end of the row of stores where the pizza place was located.

“We’re here.” He looked through the window that had puppies playing in shredded paper, bouncing around each other.

“Why?” Confused, she turned to stare him and not the adorable dogs who were no doubt from a puppy mill and whose poor mother would still be there, suffering.

“I want to get a dog.”

She blinked. There was so much wrong with that statement she didn’t know where to begin. “I don’t… A dog? You’re never home.”

He frowned. “Give me some credit for thinking things through. I can bring the dog to Dash’s when we’re working so he or she isn’t alone. I spoke to Brent, our assistant, and he’s more than happy to watch out for him when we’re locked in the studio.”

She nodded, acknowledging he’d thought some things through. “And when you’re on tour?”

He winced at that question. “Cassidy and Sasha said they could take over. Or I could hire a pet sitter or live-in house sitter to help out, too.” He shrugged. “I love animals, Tara. You know that from when were together last. Ask Xander how much time I spend at his place just so I can hang out with Bella.”