Page 68 of The Perfect Putt

She laughs again. “We really should go. Missing our flight is a stressor you don’t need.”

“Kissing you is worth missing the whole weekend.” I drag my thumb across her full bottom lip. She sucks in a breath. “If Fitz and Jada weren’t waiting outside…” I trail off, implying my thoughts with a brush of my lips against hers.

She hums in agreement. The horn sounds again and I groan while Ellie laughs. I pick her up off the island and place her back on her feet, then grab her laptop with one hand and her hand in the other.

She brings our joined hands up to her lips, kissing the back of mine. “We’ll have plenty of time when you’ve won and we’re back home.”

Home. I know she means Coastal Cove, but standing here in her little cottage filled with more color than my house has ever seen has me thinking for the first time in my life that it might be nice to share a house. A life. I’m not ready to jump into anything, but the notion doesn’t scare me as much as before.

“I’m looking forward to it.” I squeeze her hand.

We walk outside and Fitz sticks his head out the window. “We’re going to be late.”

“No, we’re not,” I say as I open the passenger door for Ellie.

“You were making out, weren’t you?” Fitz asks. Ellie’s face turns bright red.

“Fitz, stop talking,” I say before I shut the door.

“I’m just saying, there will be plenty of time to make out once we’re in North Carolina,” Fitz continues after I get in the car. “Or even on the plane after we’ve checked in.”

“Jada, do me a favor and duct tape your husband’s mouth shut before I make him walk to the airport.”

I back out of the driveway and start on the road out of Ellie’s neighborhood.

“I’d make it there faster walking than with you two. Maybe we should duct tape your mouth shut so you aren’t tempted to slow us down anymore.”

“I think I’ve changed my mind. You can fire him,” Ellie chimes in. “I’m sure we can find you another caddy before the tournament starts.”

“Hey!” Fitz protests.

“Please don’t fire him,” Jada says. “I don’t think anyone else would put up with him.”

I burst into laughter.

“I can’t believe this. My own wife is against me,” Fitz laments.

“I’m just telling the truth,” Jada says through a laugh that turns into a squeal. In the rearview mirror I spy Fitz leaned over tickling her. I shake my head at them, a smile on my lips.

Ellie rests her hand on the console between us. I take it in mine and kiss hers the same way she did in her house. She gives me a smile full of love and warmth. Everything feels lighter. With my friends laughing in the backseat, and the woman I love beside me, I feel at peace and ready to go reclaim my title.

Chapter thirty-three

Ellie Hart

Day one of the U.S. Open

Golf is much more intense than I ever thought it could be. Anticipation isn’t just in the air; it’s a living, breathing thing hovering over everyone. This morning I rode with Miles to the course, and the entire drive was silent. He gripped my hand tight with his eyes trained out the window. Fitz didn’t crack any jokes or make conversation. Even our driver seemed to know the weight of today, remaining quiet except to let us know we’d arrived.

As soon as we got out of the car, Miles pulled me in for a brief but impassioned kiss. He murmured that he loved me against my lips. I told him the same, and wished him luck. His stoic demeanor slipped for just long enough to say I don’t need luck, Red, I have skill. Then he winked at me and in a flash he and Fitz were gone to check in. I haven’t spoken to him since.

Now we’re on the tenth hole, and Miles is two under par. He’s playing well. Every stroke has been confident. His focus is unwavering. My attraction toward him only increases seeing him in his element like this. The golf pants he’s wearing help, too. I feel like football and baseball uniforms get all the love. Golf pants are vastly underrated. And then there’s the way he lifts his hat every now and again to push back his hair…yeah, I’m a lucky woman.

I can’t show him how he makes me feel though, because I can’t even go near him. The only one allowed to walk next to him is Fitz. I try to stay as close as possible, because getting lost in the crowd is a terrible feeling. It happened to me on the third hole, and I had to fight my way back to the front through a crowd of fans that weren’t too happy with me. Seeing Miles make birdie was worth wading through a sea of muttered insults though.

Since that moment, I’ve worked to keep ahead of every crowd in between holes. My legs are already aching and there are eight holes left. It feels like I’ve walked the entirety of Coastal Cove twice over, maybe even three times. Between the hills that are more like mountains, and the vigorous pace I have to set to stay ahead, I’m going to be exhausted by the end of the day and I’m not even playing.

The pain doesn’t outweigh the pride I feel for Miles being mine though. Because that’s what he whispered to me last night outside of my hotel room. I’m yours, Red, and you’re mine. I’ve carried his words like a banner all day today. And though I can’t touch him or talk to him, we have our moments where I meet his eyes across the green and see his words echoing within his gaze.

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