Page 82 of Lawson

“On just how much better you can get on your crossover start,” I say. “Your explosion could use a little work,” I tease, and he laughs.

“Good thing I have an expert coach at my disposal,” he says.

I playfully smack his chest. “I'm in high demand,” I say. “You'll have to make an appointment.”

He kisses me again with an expert insight that almost makes me forget what we're talking about entirely. He pulls back, nothing but love and mischief in his eyes. “I'll meet you on the ice.”

EPILOGUE

NASH

“Oh,yes you do, Reese’s Pieces,” I say. “I've just been trying to figure out what it is you have against me,” I say before taking a quick drink. The bar is packed with my teammates and adoring fans ready to ring in the New Year, but I can’t take my eyes off Reese.

I haven’t been able to since the first day she fired that sharp tongue at me.

“Oh, would you look at that, Lawson's calling me over to him. Bye,” Blakely says, not at all subtle as she bolts from the table.

“You know,” I continue, leaning over the table to make sure she’s listening. “People usually get to know me before they decide to hate me.”

Reese’s lips part, and I can’t help but focus on them. She has that irresistible, natural pouty lip look that’s my kryptonite, and they’re painted a light pink tonight to match her dress.

“I don’t hate you,” she says.

I smile wider at that. “Then why do you love to give me a hard time every time I see you?”

A small grin shapes her mouth, and it makes my heart beat a little faster. “Why do you?”

“I just rise to the occasion,” I say, shrugging. “I think if you gave me a chance, you might actually want to be civil around me.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Why do you care how I act around you, Stokehill? I’m not one of them,” she says, motioning to the group of women that have been following me around since I got here.

“I care because we run in the same circles,” I explain, even though it’s only half true. I care because I haven’t been able to get her out of my head for the last couple months and it’s driving me nuts. “Maybe it’s time we call a truce and behave nicely toward each other.”

Her eyebrows raise. “Nash Stokehill wants to make a friend?” she teases, pushing away from the table. “It is New Year’s Eve,” she continues, looking down at me. “I suppose anything is possible on a night like tonight.”

I swallow hard. Jesus, she’s beautiful. Her long, dark hair is half up, half cascading down her back, and her pink dress hugs her curvy body in all the right places.

“Anything?” I ask, following her across the bar like a freaking dog on a lead.

She glances over her shoulder, confusion flashing in her light-green eyes. “Sure,” she says, moving through the crowd and heading to the back corner where the owner set up a massive snack spread for the night. “Why are you following me?”

“It’s almost midnight,” I say.

“And?” She plucks a strawberry off of a platter, biting off the tip before chasing a few stray drops of juice with her tongue.

Fuck, I want that tongue in my mouth.

I’ve wanted her since the moment she first snapped at me and ignited a delightful little word war between us any time we’re together. I’m no stranger to the fine line between hate and passion. I know it can be electric, but she doesn’t look at me like she hates me. She looks at me with a need I recognize.

“Shouldn’t you hurry and grab someone you’re interested in kissing to ring in the New Year?”

I lean a little closer as she drops the strawberry stem in a nearby trash can. “I’m looking at who I’m interested in.”

Her eyes flare wide, then she laughs.

I furrow my brow.

“You’re joking,” she says.

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