Page 37 of Charming Crosschecks

He held up his hands, a laugh escaping his lips. “I was talking about coming back to your place tomorrow to pick you up so we could come get your car—but you literally invited me to sleep over and?—”

“Whoa,” she cut him off, holding up a hand like a traffic cop. “Slow your roll, Romeo.” Her tone was sharp, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement. “Yes, I invited you over—to talk and cuddle. But we already established we’re not sleeping together. I wouldn’t kick you out if it got late and you were tired. I’d toss you a blanket and pillow, giving you the couch. If I can’t trust you twenty feet away from me behind a locked door, then we have massive problems in our new relationship.”

His expression softened instantly, his hand reaching for hers again. “You can trust me,” he said with quiet conviction, his voice like a vow. “And for the record, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

Her eyes narrowed, her lips twitching in a mix of incredulity and amusement. “You sure know how to scare off a girl.”

“I’m not trying to scare you off,” he said, his voice steady but gentle. “I just want to make sure we’re both looking for the same thing.”

Her gaze softened, the teasing edge falling away. “A relationship,” she said simply.

“Exactly.” His tone was firm now, his sincerity unmistakable. “I’m not looking for a romp, a one-night stand, or some casual fling. I’m looking for forever.”

His words hung in the air between them, weighty and profound, yet somehow comforting. Molly’s heart thudded heavily in her chest, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she smiled—small, tentative, but real—because for the first time in a long time, forever didn’t sound so impossible.

“Good,” she whispered, meeting his eyes. “Me too.”

As they arrived at her apartment, Molly felt a thrill rush through her—a mix of nervous energy and a growing excitement that lit her up from the inside. There was something in Gerry’s gaze, an intensity that spoke of unspoken desires and unacknowledged feelings. The quiet between them wasn’t uncomfortable but charged, as if the air was heavy with words neither dared to say. Both were lost in their thoughts, each acutely aware of how monumental this moment was. They were crossing a threshold, stepping toward a relationship they hadn’t even realized they craved until now.

Molly’s mind raced. Could this really be happening? She’d never imagined her carefully suppressed work crush on Gerry would evolve into something this profound, this deeply moving. It was terrifying, exhilarating. She stole another glance at him. His strong profile softened by the dim hallway light, and her chest tightened.

She was falling for him.

The realization came like a whisper, but it carried the weight of certainty. As absurd as it seemed, her imagination began to run wild. She saw them sharing laughter over late-night talks, exchanging shy smiles across holiday dinner tables, building a life together filled with warmth and connection. He made her feel seen, special—like she belonged somewhere, like her soul was truly at home.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended, as she opened the door and stepped inside.

“Are you really asking, or is this a loaded question?” Gerry teased, his chuckle breaking the tension.

“I’m asking,” she said, smirking at the memory of their playful debates at work. “I think I could go for a grilled cheese. I’ve got a fresh loaf of sourdough and…”

“Yup,” he interrupted with a laugh, grinning at her. “I like food, and I’m pretty easy to please—as long as you’re not going to start talking about calories and fat and…”

“Gerry,” she cut in softly, her gaze steady. “Just keep up with the exercises, and I’m done nagging. When we’re away from work, I want us to relax, to be a couple instead of coworkers. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel bad.”

He blinked, taken aback, then smiled gently. “It’s in the past, right? So, how about some company in the kitchen? I like being around you, and I like being real with each other.”

Her heart did a little flip at his words. “I’d love some company,” she said, slipping off her shoes and trying not to feel self-conscious about her tiny apartment. It was cozy, with a killer view, but it suddenly felt even smaller with him in it. “This is it. My home away from the arena.”

“It’s nice,” he said, looking around. His tone was genuine, though his brows rose slightly. “You don’t have a lot of furniture.”

“I don’t have a lot of apartment,” she countered with a laugh. “It makes it easy to move, you know?”

“You’re not planning on moving again, are you?” he asked, his voice light, but his words carried a weight that made her pause.

“Only if I need to look for another job. That’s how I ended up here.”

“Then you’re not moving again,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Unless I get traded, and then we’ll make it a dual proposition.”

Her stomach dropped. “I’m not sure it works like that. Wait—are you possibly getting traded?”

“There’s a rumor floating around the forums, the locker room, and the sports channels,” he admitted, his tone casual. “The big three are looking for some fresh meat—from Dallas.”

Her reaction was immediate, slamming the skillet onto the stove a little too loudly. “You’re kidding,” she said, eyes wide with disbelief. “Seriously?”

“It happens,” he said with a shrug. “Athletes move. Money, contracts, personalities—it’s part of the business. But don’t worry. My agent’s got me covered. Want me to grab the cheese?”

Her mouth opened, but no words came. Instead, she stared at him, and before she could protest, he leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose, his touch so tender it made her breath hitch.

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