Page 7 of Deck His Balls

“You’re unusually quiet,” Joel says, bumping my shoulder with his. The casual contact sends sparks shooting through me. “Don’t tell me you’re actually developing a thing for me.”

The teasing note in his voice makes me laugh despite myself. “Don’t be a jerk,” I tease. “And you wish.”

“There’s that smile I like.” His words come out soft, almost reverent.

Heat crawls up my neck. “Tell me something about yourself that nobody else knows.”

“I’m an open book.”

“Pssh.” I wave off his claim. “Right. Because I totally knew the cocky Joel Mitchell had a soft spot for kids.”

Joel looks away, jaw tightening. The fluorescent lights catch the hints of gold in his dark eyes, and my fingers itch to trace the strong line of his profile.

“Come on,” I press. “Humor me.”

“Alright.” He stops walking, turning to face me. His expression turns serious in a way that makes my stomach flip. “But you have to return the favor.”

“Deal.”

Joel takes a deep breath. “Every night for the past year and a half, I’ve had this recurring dream. I’m in a relationship with this amazing woman. She’s fierce on the court but has the biggest heart off it. The way she moves, like she owns every room she walks into… it takes my breath away.”

My pulse quickens as his description continues.

“She’s got this laugh that makes everything else fade away,” he says, his voice dropping lower. “And when she’s focused on something, whether it’s a charity project or a basketball game, she gets this little crease between her eyebrows that I want to smooth away with my thumb.”

Recognition dawns slowly, then all at once. He’s describing me. The realization sends heat flooding through my body.

“But every time I go to kiss her,” Joel continues, his eyes never leaving mine, “I wake up.”

A laugh bubbles up, more from nerves than humor. “You’re messing with me.”

“I’m not.” The intensity in his gaze steals my breath.

“Fine.” My voice comes out shakier than intended. “Who’s the lucky lady of your dreams?”

Joel steps closer, and suddenly the hospital corridor feels too small. Too warm. His cologne wraps around me, a subtle scent that makes me want to lean in closer.

“You really haven’t figured it out?” The rough edge in his voice sends shivers down my spine. “It’s you, Tricia. It’s always been you.”

The world narrows to just us, and I become hyper-aware of the warmth radiating from his body. His gaze drops to my lips. My knees go weak as Joel leans in, one hand coming up to cup my face. I sway forward, drawn by a gravity I can’t fight anymore.

“Joel! Tricia!” Brandon’s excited shout shatters the moment. “It’s a girl!”

We spring apart like guilty teenagers. My heart pounds so hard I worry Joel can hear it. My lips tingle with the phantom sensation of a kiss that almost was.

“Coming!” I call back, voice unnaturally high.

“Wait.” Joel catches my hand before I can move. “You still owe me your secret, and a date.”

“I…” The words stick in my throat. How do I tell him I’ve been having similar dreams? That I wake up reaching for him most nights?

“Have coffee with me,” he says. “Tomorrow morning? You can share your secret then. And maybe Italian for dinner tomorrow night?”

I lower her eyes even as a smirk covers my lips. “I realize that your single date has somehow doubled. But, there is a slight flaw in your devious plan.”

He meets my smirk with one of his own. “And what’s that, Coach?”

“I only drink coffee from my specialty machine at home.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “The beans have to be ground fresh and everything.”

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