Page 76 of The Playbook

“Yeah… I’ll probably just stay out all night… Uh huh… It’s fine, Dad. I promise… OK… Love you too. Tell Mom I love her. Bye.” She hung up and grinned at me. “Lead the way to the food.”

I took her hand and hauled her to my Jeep where I unlocked it and helped her inside, making sure to buckle her in.

“I can do that myself,” she said.

I pecked her on the lips. “I know, but I like taking care of you.”

“Weirdo,” she said with a little laugh as I closed the door.

Moments later, we were cruising down the road, her hand in mine.

“Where are we going?”

“My place.”

“Your place?”

“Yes. My parents aren’t home this weekend. Again. It’s working in my favor, really.” I shot her a grin that made her roll her eyes.

“Your parents are never home. Are you sure you even have parents?”

I let out a laugh. “I definitely have them. My dad’s youngest brother bought a boat. Like a big fucking boat. They’re going sailing all weekend. Mom wasn’t game until she found out she’d have a place to sleep on it.”

“So, like a yacht?”

“Yeah.” I smiled at her. “Like a yacht. He’s a stockbroker. Dabbles in investment realty like my dad. He’s doing really well.”

“Sounds like it,” she said, turning her attention to the passing scenery.

I watched her out of the corner of my eye every now and then, wondering what the hell was going through that pretty little head of hers as she fidgeted with a loose string on her jeans with her free hand.

We pulled into my driveway a moment later. I rushed around to her side to open her door, but she was already stepping out when I got there.

I closed the door and took her hand, hauling her straight into my house.

“So I’m staying all night?”

“Unless you think you can outrun me,” I said, leading her to the kitchen.

I released her hand and rummaged through the cabinets, looking for something to eat. When I didn’t find anything, I turned back to her. “Want pizza? Or I can cook something.”

“Pizza sounds good.”

I grabbed the phone and called in a large, only cheese pie and an order of breadsticks.

“You remembered,” she said softly as I hung up.

I quirked my lips up at her. “Of course, I did.” I reached out and brought her into my arms, gazing down at her, still finding it hard to believe she was mine and this was happening.

When the playbook started, I hadn’t really even noticed her.But now?I had a hard time figuring out how I didn’t see her. She was beautiful. And not just on the outside. Her personality. Her humor. Her soul. All of it. Beautiful perfection.

“Are you sure your parents aren’t coming home?”

I released her and dug my phone out of my pocket. Quickly, I tapped to bring up our family locator and showed her my parents’ dot fixed on Lake Michigan, hours away.

She breathed out and offered me a weak smile.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

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