Page 139 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I raise a brow. “Really?”

He nods, a small smile on his face.

What could he have gotten me?

He steps closer to me. “Come on, Zoey. I promise you’ll like it.” He suddenly looks a bit insecure. “I hope.”

He’s so cute when he gets like this.

He slides his hands into mine. “Zoey, please close your eyes. I want this to be a surprise.”

I nod, my heart beating in elation. This means so much to him. “Okay.” I shut my eyes.

He squeezes my hands and then I hear him shuffling around in his room.

“Hold out your palms, but don’t open your eyes yet,” he instructs.

I’m bursting with curiosity. Lifting my hands, I face my palms up, ready to accept whatever he’s giving me.

Something hard and slightly heavy is placed on my palms.

“Okay, you can open them now,” he says.

I peek one eye open and then the other. Before I check what’s in my hands, I notice the excitement on his face.

My eyes drop to my hands and I gape at the large box of chocolate.

“Wow,” I gasp. “This is awesome!” There are so many different varieties of chocolate it makes my head spin. “This is one of the best presents anyone has ever given me.”

He’s still smiling. “You like it?”

“I love it.”

After placing it on the nearby table, I fling my arms around him. “Thanks so much, Kade!”

He chuckles softly. “You told me you like chocolate, so…”

I back away and stare into his eyes. I want to kiss him, but I don’t want things to be weird between us. And anyway, my parents and aunt and uncle are downstairs.

“Want some of my awesome chocolate?” I ask him.

He waves his hand. “That’s okay. You don’t have to share with me. It’s your present.”

I take the box and gesture for him to join me on his bed. He drops down next to me as I unwrap it and choose a chocolate. Then I hand him the box.

“Thanks,” he says before taking one and biting into it.

I do as well and my eyes light up. “Yum! This is the most delicious chocolate I’ve ever tasted.”

“Really? Because there were a few to choose from, but the woman at the mall insisted this was the best.”

My smile drops as I examine the box. “This probably cost so much.”

He shrugs. “Was worth every penny.” His sweet smile melts my heart.

I bend forward and place my hands on either side of his face. “You, Kade Sanders, are such a wonderfully amazing person. I’m so glad I can call you my friend.”

He places his hands over mine and stares into my eyes. “You, Zoey Brooke Hastings, are the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met. And I’m so glad to call you my friend.”

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