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spoken since they’d left the house. His mind reeled. With his mom being out the country and never showing up for anything else in his life since he became an adult it was the last thing he expected as well.
    “ I’m sorry about that.”
    “ Did you think we wouldn’t run into each other for an entire year?” Her words hurled at him.
    It was the first time he’d seen her upset, and it was kind of cute. Even a bit of a turn on. Her brown bottom lip poked out giving him a flash of pink. His large hands gripped the steering wheel and his foot pressed down on the gas pedal. The car accelerated. He needed to get to their destination and out of the close confines of the vehicle.
    She adjusted to the right of him, giving him a good view of her lips. Lips that he recalled yearning for him only a few days prior. His rod stiffened in response. He wanted to reach down and adjust his package for comfort but doing so would bring attention to his current state.
    He shrugged. “That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen her so, yeah.”
    “ Oh.” Her arms uncrossed and fell down to her lap. “I can’t imagine not seeing my mom for that long.” He noticed the change in her tone.
    “ Speaking of. Your parents weren’t there. Do you plan on telling them?”
    “ How do you know I haven’t?”
    He waited until he brought the car to a stop in a parking space before looking at her. “Have you?”
    She avoided eye contact and glanced out the window. “A park?”
    “ Yes, fresh air in the great outdoors. Now, answer the question.”
    “ No, I haven’t.” She paused. “My last relationship wasn’t the best and I’m not ready to drop another bombshell on them.”
    There was a hint of hurt in her words. Christian hadn’t bothered to think past his own needs. How long had she been with this mystery man? When did it end? And was she over him? The questioned swirled in his head but went no further. Doing so would invite her to probe deeper into his past. A past he wasn’t ready to unload on her.
    He wanted and needed her there with him now and that’s all that mattered. “Let’s get this day started.” He maneuvered out the car and to the trunk.
    Anna had not only made breakfast but lunch. He pulled out a dark brown picnic basket.
    The passenger side door closed and soft steps found their way to the back of the car. Egypt glanced up at him with a look of curiosity. “I didn’t take you for the strolling in the park hand in hand type of guy.”
    He let out a gentle laugh. “I didn’t factor in holding hands.” With one swift move he closed the trunk and grabbed her left hand. “Shall we.” He motioned to a path.
    Egypt smiled and complied.
    Christian took in a deep breath, inhaling the greenery of their surroundings. This was the first time he’d brought anyone along with him to his place of serenity. He led them down the path into a clearing, close enough to the pond but on the other side away from where the main traffic went.
    He walked a few feet into the grass and lay down the blanket. A smile threatened to burst free as Egypt stood patiently by. A picnic is something that never crossed his mind to do with a woman, but for her he wanted things to be different. As his wife he needed to know her inner makings. No one from the outside could know they are only pretending.
    The blanket in place, he patted a spot for her to sit while he placed the basket on top and began pulling out the contents.
    “ Anna has outdone herself.” Egypt glanced at the deli sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, and bottle of wine.
    He had to agree. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. I’ve never been on a picnic.”
    “ Really? What made you want one today?”
    “ You, my dear. I want you away from the workplace and the cameras. You’ll have enough of the spotlight in the weeks to come.”
    “ So I gathered. I was nearly blinded by the cameras flashing at our party. I’ll get used to it…eventually.” She let out a