Page 12 of Offside Rule

There was.

"Right. Nothing to run from. We're just two coworkers meeting for a drink after a hard game.” His smile widened even more, and damn him, he looked good doing it. “Unless … youarerunning because you know you like me.”

My lungs drew in a deep breath as I tried not to let it show on my face that he was right.

I pulled my arm from his hold, shaking my head. "You are so cocky," I laughed. "Do you think that just because you’re a young, good-looking football player that I'm automatically into you? Have you considered even for a second that you're not my type?”

It was a poor attempt at taking the upper hand, but I was floundering. Who on this goddamn planet wouldn’t be attracted to Xavier? And not just because he wastheXavier Kevalle, but because he looked straight out of a magazine, and was charming too.

And I hated him for it.

No, I didn’t.

A smile that perfectly mirrored the grin of a child unwrapping Christmas gifts rested on his lips. He bumped his shoulder into mine. “You think I’m good-looking?”

Steps sounded in the distance, and I backed away, not wanting to be caught in an inappropriate position with him. I decided to leave when he didn't say anything else, but just as I was turning around, he spoke.

"I think the problem is that I'm exactly your type," he said with a confident smile. "If I'm not your type, then why not meet me tonight? Like friends." He winked, and my mouth almost hit the floor. "Central Park, 8 p.m. I'll see you there, fire girl," Xavier said just before walking away.

EIGHT

XAVIER

Later that night, I found myself in Central Park, my eyes wandering over the mass of people. It was stupid of me not to have asked for her number. It wasn’t like I didn’t know how busy it was going to be, and that it was going to be a challenge to find her. I sighed, but avoided ruffling my hair so I wouldn’t mess it up.

How I was so sure she was going to show up was beyond me. But deep down, I knew.

I continued walking, looking for red hair among the crowd. I occasionally smiled down at a few kids who bumped into me, but besides that, my attention was solely focused on finding her.

“Looking for someone?” a familiar voice rang behind me. I turned around in surprise, finding Fire Girl behind me with a grin on her face. She was wearing a floral dress and had her hair tied up into a bun, two strands touching her cheeks.

I couldn’t help but see the difference between the woman on the football field and the woman standing in front of me. Out there, she had looked put together, with no sign of creases on her uniform and no hint of a facial expression. Here, she was a spring flower that just bloomed and mesmerized everyone with her beauty.

My blood immediately heated at the sight of her. Never in my life had I met a woman as attractive and easy-going as she was. As much as a part of me was positive she would show up, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise.

I smiled. “Nah, I think I got what I need.”

“Do you now?” she raised a brow and started walking away.

I frowned. “Where are you going?”

Fire Girl glanced at me over her shoulder, smiling as her dress swirled around her knees. “Getting some ice cream.”

Something was different about her.

I caught up quickly, but with an absolutely contagious laugh, she started running. This woman was likely older than me, but somehow I doubted it by the way she was acting. Christ, I didn’t even know her age—or even her name—yet I was chasing her through a park.

I couldn’t help but grin, and in record time, I found myself running next to her. She was still smiling before a grimace covered her beautiful face, and she slowed down.

Concern swept its way under my skin, and I stopped abruptly. “What happened?”

Fire Girl looked at me from the corner of her eye, massaging her knee. “It’s just … my knee.”

“Old injury?” I asked.

She nodded, biting her lip. “Yeah. The recovery was hard enough, but it seems it will haunt me my whole life.” A flash of sadness passed over her features, but it left so quickly I thought I’d imagined it.

“Let’s get you some ice, fire girl,” I suggested. She was ready to leave on her own, so without really thinking it through, I snuck one arm under her knees and the other behind her back.

---