Page 104 of End Game

“Doesn’t matter. It didn’t feel right, not being able to just talk to you.” He tugs me a little closer. “Did you miss me?”

Old me would’ve said no. Old me would’ve played this off and tried to change the subject.

But if he’s willing to change, then I should be too.

“Yes,” I admit. “The minute I ran out on you, I regretted it.”

His gaze lingers on my face, dropping to my lips. “I need to do this right.”

“Do what right?”

“You.” He laughs when I poke at his side with my free hand. “I mean you and me. Us.”

A little thrill shoots through me at his using the wordus. “How are you going to do this right?”

“I need to treat you like a woman I’m interested in versus my roommate whose bedroom is conveniently located across the hall from mine.” He’s grinning, and the sight of it steals my breath.

My thoughts.

“I mean, thatispretty convenient.” I lean into him, pressing my cheek against the solid rock that is his shoulder. I remain there, savoring the simple joy of feeling connected to him, and he releases his grip on my hand, shifting his arm so it slides around my shoulders.

“Want to go on a date tomorrow night?”

“A date?”

He grabs hold of my hand again, sliding his fingers between mine. The seemingly innocent touch sets off a fresh wave of tingles sweeping over my skin, my breath catching when he slides his thumb back and forth along the side of my hand. “Yeah. I’ll take you to dinner. Maybe catch a movie?”

“That sounds—normal.”

Nico chuckles. “Normal?”

I’m nodding, even with my head still pressed to his shoulder. “Like something a regular couple would do.”

“What do you say?”

“I’d love to go to dinner and a movie with you.” I pull away from his arm so I can smile up at him, and he leans down, brushing my mouth with his in the gentlest of kisses.

“Thanks for giving me another chance,” he murmurs, pressing his forehead against mine. “I’m going to do my best not to fuck it up.”

I can’t help myself—I start to laugh. “That instills a lot of confidence in me.”

He chuckles too. “I’m going to prove to you that I can do this. I’ll be the best boyfriend you’ve ever met.”

I pull away slightly, wanting to make sure I heard him right. “Are you serious? You’re saying the wordboyfriendnow?”

His expression solemn, he nods. “Guess I didn’t make my intentions clear enough. I’m in this to win your heart, Everleigh Olmstead.”

I blink at him, my breaths coming faster. And when he leans in and delivers a heart-stopping kiss to my lips, I almost admit ...

He’s already won it.

Chapter Thirty-Four

NICO

November

Saturday. Game day at home. The stadium is packed. Not an empty seat in sight. The sky is a bright blue, the sun blazing over us, soothed by the gentle breeze carrying over from the nearby ocean.

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