Page 143 of Close Knit

“How’d it go?” he whispers, his breath tickling my hair. “How do you feel?”

“Probably as good as you’re going to feel when you win your big game tomorrow.”

“Good.” His arms tighten around me. “Daph, I—” He falters, his heart thumping like crazy against his chest. I what? I’m happy to be here? I forgot something in my apartment and had to come back and get it? “I’m super proud of you, and, uh…” His face scrunches up. “I do have to get back soon. I’m so sorry. Coach didn’t love that I’m not riding with the team to the match.If he finds out I broke curfew, I might end up on the bench again.”

He risked that much for me? A shaky smile spreads across my face at the realization. “How long do I have you for?”

He glances at the clock on the television. “Thirty minutes.”

My heart does a little flip-flop, a mix of gratitude and longing. “Well, what should we do?”

“Can we just lie down together? I missed sleeping next to you last night.”

“Not a second to waste, then,” I whisper.

We shuffle to the bedroom and collapse onto the bed in a heap, Cameron pulling me into his arms. I nestle against his chest, feeling the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat. My exhaustion melts away as he holds me, his presence a balm for my frazzled soul. We lie there in blissful silence, the world outside fading into oblivion, leaving just the two of us in this cocoon of cozy intimacy.

I trace little doodles on his chest, my fingers moving in sync with his breaths. “You really drove all the way here just to see me for a minute?”

He tilts my chin up, his eyes locking onto mine with that heart-melting gaze of his. “No distance is too far for a glimpse of you,” he replies, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead.

We fall into a comfortable silence, our bodies entwined. For thirty precious minutes, it’s just us. No worries, no obligations, just the simple joy of being together.

My heart takes flight, and I’m pretty sure I’m unequivocally, undeniably, up-in-the-air in love with Cameron Hastings.

Chapter 41

Cameron

March8

Lyndhurst FC Blaze to Victory: Oakwood United Win Marks Tenth Straight!

Cameron

Stopped by the complex. Forgot Jung’s gift.

See you soon.

Duck

Okay! xo

Hurry though, or you’ll miss the flash mob dance Bea and I just choreographed.

Cameron

And miss you shaking that pretty ass around?

Wouldn’t dare.

Duck

Especially since I wore the low-back sweater dress that didn’t block properly.

Dangerously short.

Cameron

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