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`` you do n't mean that , '' megan argued .
pesh cut his gaze over to her .
`` sure , i do .
i can adjust our reservations . ''
she could n't help staring at him in shock .
how was it possible he was so willing to change his plans simply because mason did n't want her to leave ?
she fought the urge to reach out and touch his shoulder to make sure he was real-he was far too good to be true at times .
`` is that okay with you ? ''
pesh asked her .
`` of course it 's all right with me .
i was worried about it not being okay with you . ''
`` i would n't have suggested it if i did n't mean it . ''
he reached out and ruffled mason 's hair .
`` all right , buddy , where do you want to go for lunch ? ''
`` cheese !
cheese ! ''
he cried , as he bobbed up and down .
megan groaned as pesh 's expression grew confused .
`` he wants to eat cheese ? ''
he asked .
`` no , he wants to go to chuck e. cheese-every parent 's worst nightmare . ''
pesh chuckled as he rose up from the floor .
`` all right then .
chuck e. cheese it is . ''
`` go get your shoes , '' megan instructed .
as mason raced back into the living room , megan stood up .
`` you really do n't have to do this . ''
`` honestly , i do n't mind .
we can go have lunch with mason , and then we can start our date .
i 'm sure he 'll be worn out and ready for a nap when we get back , right ? ''
`` yes , he will . ''
`` good .
then he wo n't have any reason to miss you if he 's asleep . ''
she smiled at his thoughtfulness .
`` thank you .
i really mean that . ''
`` you 're welcome . ''
he reached out and brushed her cheek .
when he started to lean in to kiss her , mason ran back into the foyer with his shoes .
pesh quickly jerked back .
to combat the awkwardness , megan busied herself with getting mason 's shoes on .
when she finished , mason bounded over to pesh and grabbed his hand .
`` go !
go ! ''
pesh laughed at mason 's enthusiasm .
he held his other hand out for megan .
she slid her hand into his and then they started to the car .
as megan walked through the doors of their local chuck e. cheese , she recoiled slightly at both the ear- splintering noise and the stomach-turning smells .
she also fought her embarrassment at the looks she and pesh were getting for their more formal outfits .
`` i think we 're a little overdressed , '' she said .
he held up his index finger and thumb before pinching them close together .
`` just a little bit . ''
tugging on pesh 's hand , mason dragged him over to the toddler area of games .
megan quickly dug in her purse for some money for tickets .
after she bought them , she went over to pesh .
`` i 'll go grab us some pizza . ''
she waved the tickets at him .
`` once these are gone , he 's done . ''
`` i do n't mind getting him more . ''
she shook her head .
`` trust me .
he 's done . ''
`` okay then , '' he replied good-naturedly .
megan felt completely at ease leaving pesh to watch mason .
she got them a couple of slices of mason 's favorite , pepperoni , along with some drinks and then made her way over to a table close to the toddler area .
when she caught pesh 's eye , she waved them over .
after several tense moments , he was finally able to convince mason to leave the play area to come and eat .
as mason bounced around in his seat , megan knew she would be doing good to get four bites of pizza down him before he was raring to go play again .
she also had a fear that she , pesh , or the both of them were going to be wearing tomato sauce before it was all said and done .
`` this place is very interesting , '' pesh remarked , as he gazed around .
megan laughed .
`` have you never had the pleasure ? ''
`` sadly no .
my brother , arjan 's , and his children live in florida , so i 've really never had a reason to come . ''
`` you 've dodged a bullet there .
that 's for sure . ''
he smiled before taking a bite of his pizza .
his expression turned so sour that megan could n't help giggling .
`` this is terrible , '' he muttered .
`` i should have warned you not to bother eating .
it only seems appetizing to small children who are hyped up on adrenaline . ''
he took a long swig from his coke and swished the liquid around like he was trying to rid himself of the taste .
when he caught mason looking at him , he put on a fake smile .
`` mmm , that 's good pizza .
you better eat yours before i do . ''
`` nice save , '' she murmured .
he winked at her as he threw his napkin on his plate .
she could n't believe when her heart fluttered at his gesture .
it was almost impossible to believe that she could be getting feelings for him in the middle of chuck e. cheese .
`` done .
go play , '' mason announced , bringing her out of her thoughts .
she shook her head .
`` i do n't think so .
you need to eat more . ''
mason scowled at her before grabbing another bite and shoveling it into his mouth .
he managed to clean his plate with a little coaxing from pesh .
then the two of them went back over to the play area .
as megan watched them , the small ache in her chest began to grow .
pesh was completely hands on , hoisting mason up where he could reach things and then catching him when he came off the slide .
he seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with mason .