Page 38 of Game Day

“I’ll take you anytime you like.”

Except during the season, he means, which is bearing down on us.

“I wanted to show it to you. You show me so many things that it would be like returning the favor.”

“You owe me nothing, Nova. You breathe and I’m grateful. Understand?”

I’m wearing pajamas, and the intensity of his expression makes me suddenly aware of the space between us. My nipples harden under the fabric, the tug between my thighs making me press my legs together. I inhale sharply as he bends closer, the space between us disappearing an inch at a time.

Clay whispers,"You've got toothpaste. Here."His thumb brushes the corner of my mouth.

"Dammit." I spin and rinse my mouth.

When I straighten, he's pinning my hips against the vanity."You’re cute like that."

"With toothpaste sticking to my face?" I ask wryly.

"Like everything."

My heart skips as my eyes meet his in the mirror.

This is what I want. Time with him.

"Clay, can we please?—”

A ringtone explodes from the next room.

"It's my parents."I want to tell him to ignore it, but heanswers. "Hi." Listens for a minute, then passes over the phone. “It’s for you.”

I frown as I take the phone from him.

His mother's voice streams out on speaker. "Nova, I wondered if we could meet today."

She’s making an effort.

My mind is telling me to say no, but with Clay’s eyes on me, I want to at least try.

"I have a dress fitting, but…"

"I'll join you."

That's how, an hour later, I'm on a sofa in the boutique, waiting for them to bring out my dress.My knees press together, my hands twisting. I'm not so much nervous about the dress as the woman at my side. Today she's dressed in a navy pantsuit as if she's about to walk into a board meeting.

"Clay said he has practice this morning," Sandy says while we wait.

I nod, smoothing down my sweaterdress. "Even a wedding can't stop the preseason.”

She sits daintily at my side, one ankle crossed over the other. “My dress was a cream sheath dress." Her eyes shine as she remembers. "I could barely sit in it because… well, let's just say the fabric was unforgiving."

"I bet it was beautiful."

Her lips soften.

I want Clay’s parents to like me, but especially Sandy. Not only because my mom isn’t here anymore and I want someone to smile at me with approval and admiration when I walk down the aisle, but because we both have a relationship with Clay and we both love him.

"Did you have a bachelorette party?" I ask.

"We didn't. Everything about our wedding moved quickly.”

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