Page 96 of My Best Years

“Nah,” I shake my head. “When I wasn't in class or studying, I worked odd jobs. I pretty much worked full-time throughout my undergraduate years to save up for law school. But I did play on an intramural team for a few seasons since it’s more flexible. When you’re on an intramural team, it’s not a big deal if you miss a game. It’s just for fun, you know?”

Her eyes dart between mine as she slowly blinks. My heart sinks when her smile falls.

“Yeah…” she murmurs while looking down at her lap. “I just remember how hard you worked in high school. How badly you wanted to be a collegiate tennis player. I’m glad you still play, but I just hate that your dreams were taken from you.”

Her silver eyes find mine when I slip my fingers beneath her chin until she’s looking directly at me. She watches me intently as I shake my head.

“You think tennis was my dream?” I ask softly. “When I was a teenager, if someone would have asked me what mydream was, I would have told them it was you, Birdie. You were everything I ever wanted.”

I watch her throat bob as she swallows.

“How would you have known that?” she breathes. “You were just a teenager, Cal.”

“You’re right,” I nod. “I wasn’t sure of much, but I knew with my whole damn chest that I wanted a future with you. My dream has always been you, Birdie. Don’t get me wrong, I love tennis. But even in high school, when I looked twenty years into the future, I didn’t see my life revolving around tennis. I saw a life with you.”

Birdie’s eyes brim with affection as the air between us falls silent. My breath hitches when she reaches up and glides her thumb along my stubbled cheek.

“That’s sweet of you to say, Cal,” she smiles half-heartedly. “But what crushes me is that you could have had both. You could have had meandtennis. And your father ripped both away from you.”

I reach for her hand and slide my fingers through hers.

“I’m not disappointed with how my life turned out.” I place a kiss to her knuckles. “After I graduated high school, I was determined to take back the years of abuse from my father. And once I began my career as a child neglect and abuse lawyer, I didn’t feel like a victim anymore. I wake up every day and have the chance to make a difference in a young person’s life. Even though tennis didn’t work out for me, it all ended up being worth it. I couldn't ask for a more fulfilling career.”

Birdie’s rose-colored lips turn up in a sweet smile as she nods her head.

“You’re right,” she rasps. “I truly believe that every person has a calling. You’re doing exactly what you’re meant to do. Those kids are lucky to have you as their advocate.”

Those kids are lucky to have you as their advocate.

She has no idea what that sentence means to me. The kids I work with are my life’s purpose.

“Thanks, baby,” I reply while brushing my thumb along the back of her hand. “That means a lot.”

We’re locked in an intimate stare as the sun disappears behind the horizon, turning the sky a dark blue. The neon lights decorating the ferris wheel come alive, dancing off Birdie’s ivory skin. I lift my hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear before cupping her jaw.

“Have I told you how pretty you look tonight?”

A cute smile curls her lips.

“A couple of times.”

“Well, that’s not enough,” I retort. “Because you’re fucking stunning, Birdie. You take my breath away.”

Her cheeks turn bright pink as she chews on her bottom lip.God, those fucking lips. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how they felt against mine.

I can’t wait any longer.

“I’m going to kiss you, Birdie Wren.”

I barely recognize my guttural tone. It’s low and desperate, full of desire.

Birdie surprises me by sliding her hands up my jaw and scooting so close that she’s practically on top of me.

“Not if I kiss you first,” she replies breathlessly.

Just as we reach the top of the ferris wheel, she crushes her lips to mine.

I instantly reach for Birdie, wrapping an arm around her waist and tangling my free hand in her hair. Our lips part at the same time as I tilt her head back, needing deeper access. She moans against my mouth as I rub my tongue against hers, tasting every bit of her.

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