Page 45 of Something Borrowed, Something You

Chapter 15

— Natalia —

I could barely concentrate on the game. Sex, not love. Those were the exact same words that Anna had said to me about having a relationship with Hunter. The two of them made it sound so simple. Maybe it was. Maybe I was making it out to be more difficult than it needed to be. After all, it’s what I’d have with Marcus if I slept with him. But could I keep things with Hunter only about sex? I was attracted to him, sure. Who wouldn’t be? Though it was more than just physical already. I actually liked him. He was funny, smart, outdoorsy. Not to mention he’d bonded with Izzy—a guy has to be something special to combat teenage revulsion. Could I go in with my eyes wide open and keep feelings from growing? My heart was barely stitched back together from my marriage. It couldn’t take another hit. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready for that risk again.

“You want something?” I heard Hunter say.

I turned to him with confusion written all over my face. “Hmm?”

“You didn’t hear one word I said, did you?”

“I heard you.”

“Yeah? What did I ask?”

“You asked if I wanted something.”

“Before that.”

“Oh.”

He smirked and leaned in. “Thinking about what I said earlier in the car, aren’t you?”

“I am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“How old are you? Because you sound like you’re seven.”

Hunter stood. “What do you want to eat? Because if you let me decide, I’m buying you a hot dog to watch you eat it.”

“I’m not hungry.” It wasn’t until my eyes followed Hunter down the bleachers that I even noticed the game had stopped. It was halftime, and I’d been dazed for most of the first part of the game.

Hunter returned with a brown box holding pretzels and two ridiculously large sodas. He handed one to me. “So, what did you decide?”

“I guess I’m having a pretzel since you bought it for me already.”

“I meant regarding my proposal you’ve been fantasizing about for the last half hour.”

“I wasn’t…” I thought better of protesting again, which would lead to another round of immature am not, are toos, and instead, I came clean. Rolling my eyes, I said, “I’ve been going over the pros and cons in my head.”

He set his pretzel down, dusted off his hands, and turned in his seat to give me his full attention. “Lay ’em on me.”

“What? No.”

“Why not?”

“Well, for starters, this isn’t the appropriate place for it.” I looked to my left and right. Although no one seemed to be paying attention, I’d certainly eavesdrop on this conversation if I heard it in the stands.

“Okay. Then where is?”

“Somewhere more private.”

“My place after the game today.”

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