Page 26 of Play On

The fact that this emotion jumps to the top, the fact that my brain and my heart are both in alignment on it, tells me I do regret what I did. Despite the fact that I know I could disappoint him, despite the fact that I could get hurt, despite the fact that we could go on one date, and it could be a disaster—I know what I want.

I want another chance.

I’m desperate to see something in Noah’s expression that will give me hope. Hope that he’s willing to grant me another chance.

“What is wrong with you, Violet?” Aimee asks.

I have to do something.

Before I have time to even think, I get up from the table. “Aimee, I know those guys. I’ll be right back.”

I’m shaking as I make my way across the bar to them. Camden lifts a brow as I draw closer, but Noah remains expressionless.

I don’t know what happens, but everything within me shifts.

Because I’m going to do everything in my power for another chance with Noah.

“Hey,” I say, approaching them with a smile. “Imagine running into you guys here.”

Camden flashes me a warm smile. “Hello, Violet. I should have figured we might run into you since you’re in London to work with Bella. How are you?”

“I’m good,” I answer. I shift my attention to Noah, and then I see what I hoped to see in his beautiful brown eyes.

Want.

It’s so palpable in his expression, I feel my knees nearly go weak. I’m about to speak to him when Kieran extends his hand to me.

“I’m Kieran Doring,” he says cheerfully, flashing me a smile.

I shake his hand. He’s tall, with blond hair and light-blue eyes. No ink. I can say objectively he’s attractive, but not my type.

As in not Noah.

“Kieran joined Stonebridge United this summer,” Camden explains. “We stole him away from Liverpool. So we thought we’d do a little bonding tonight.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say, smiling warmly at him. I’m about to turn back to Noah, but Kieran addresses me before I can.

“Who is your friend?” he asks, nodding and looking over my shoulder. “Is she single? She’sgorgeous.”

Hmm. I wonder if Kieran could be her type.

But maybe he doesn’t have to be her type. Maybe Aimee just wants a hook-up. That’s not the Aimee I knew at uni, but I’m just in the process of getting to know who she is now. She might want to hook up with a Premier League player, who knows?

“If you would like to join us, I’d be happy to introduce you,” I offer.

“No. We—” Noah begins.

“Yes, we can,” Kieran says, interrupting him and flashing me an endearing smile. “Thank you.”

Kieran heads off in the direction of our table, and Camden grins at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he behaves with your friend,” he assures me. Then he follows them to the table.

And now I’m left alone with Noah.

He stares down at me, his gaze questioning, but no words tumble past those beautiful full lips of his. The shouts of laughter, the rattle of ice in a cocktail shaker, the sounds of music fill the space between us in this bar instead of conversation.

Nothing is being said.

But everything is being said at the very same moment when I look at him.

---