Page 26 of Touchdown

Luke squeezes my hands over the table. “I’d never get tired of you, Cody. I want you, baggage and all.”

“I want you too,” I mumble, squeezing his hands back.

“Good. Now that we’re on the same page, let’s eat! I’m starving.”

Grateful for the change to a lighter subject, I pick up the menu.

I don’t know what the future will hold, but I have a good feeling about tonight.

9

Luke

Isigh happily as I relax back into Cody’s chest. It’s ridiculous, how happy I am. I’ve been in love before, but this is different. I click with Cody in a way I never have with anyone else. It makes me question whether what I was feeling before for others was even love in the first place.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

I hesitate. It’s been five weeks, but neither Cody nor I have used the L-word yet. I haven’t wanted to scare him off by saying it too soon.

I hesitate for too long, because Cody sits up straighter and pulls me around to look at him. “Luke? What’s wrong?”

I smile at him. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just really happy.”

“Then why do you look like a kid who has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar?”

“I just…”

“You just what?”

I’m terrified of spooking Cody. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t afford to lose him.

Distraction tactics—I lean forward to kiss Cody, something he’s never been able to resist before, but this time, he puts hishands firmly on my shoulders, holding me at bay. “Nuh-uh. You’re going to tell me what’s wrong first. Then, I’ll kiss you.”

I can’t. He’s going to freak out and then where will I be?

“Luke? Seriously, babe, you’re hyperventilating. Just spit it out, won’t you?”

“I love you!” I blurt out.

Cody frowns at me. “I know. I love you too.”

I gape at him. “You… you know?”

“Luke, you do remember, don’t you?”

“Remember what?”

Cody chuckles. “Apparently not, then. Well, do you remember our date two weeks ago, when we went to that bar?”

“Don’t remind me,” I groan, wondering why Cody would bring up that embarrassing incident now. “I haven’t gotten that drunk since I was in college.”

“What do you remember from that night?”

“I remember having a great time, at first. We were dancing, and you were feeling me up on the dance floor. Then I started to feel ill, and… I’m not sure after that.”

“Well, let me fill you in. After you finished throwing up in the bathroom, I got you home. You threw up in my bathroom for a while and then I got you into bed. We cuddled and… and then you told me you loved me.”

“I did? I don’t remember that!”

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