Page 31 of Endgame

She has the biggest heart. It’s one of the things I admire most about her.

“Ever think I could be exactly what she needs?”

She’s as shocked by my words as I am.

“This isn’t some random woman, Cal. She’s my best friend. Besides, you never ask permission for things, so why now?”

She’s not wrong.

I make a point to be intentional with my actions. I don’t act without fully thinking through the repercussions. I’m clearly fighting against my own willpower because I can’t find myself to care.

“I’m not asking permission, Navy. I’m kindly giving you a heads up. I’m shooting my shot. This is me giving you asmall window to make a note of the courtesy I’m giving you before swooping in and stealing your girl.” My boldness shocks her. If she wasn’t leaning against a wall, I’m sure her feet would have failed her by now.

I don’t give her a chance to respond before kissing her quickly on the cheek and moving my feet at the same rate as my heartbeat, heading to claim what’s soon to bemine.

13

DAKOTA

It’s embarrassingthe number of times my eyes have searched for him.

I caught Callaway stealing Navy away from Luke and haven’t seen them since. Blondie is long gone, setting sights on a college girl. It’s for the best. He was getting handsy in a desperate sort of way, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. Unfortunately for me, his fingers didn’t make it where I needed him to go.

Deciding to take a dance break now that I’m solo, I pivot towards the least crowded bar with my sights set on the top-shelf vodka I know will quench my thirst and numb the loneliness.

I barely make it an inch before strong hands land softly on my waist.

My first thought is that, unfortunately, Blondie has returned.

Looking down at the hands caressing my hips, I realize I couldn’t be more mistaken. Tattooed forearms with veins I’d like to run my tongue over are the culprit of my unevenbreaths and goosebumps spreading like wildfire across my skin.

Shut it down, Dakota. He’s not an option tonight.

But his heavenly cedar smell is back with vengeance, and I realize it’s pointless to try to avoid him.

I’m only so strong.

“Angel.” One simple word and my body lights on fire. I need to think this through before I do something stupid.

“Callaway. Finally change out of your tight baseball pants to make it to Ladies’ Night?” I’m baiting him, and he knows it.

I can feel his soft laugh heating the left side of my neck. My body is a slave to this man. I give him access and sink farther back into his steady movements.

I need to find a way out of here. He can’t know his effect on me.

Except I don’t think I want to leave.

It takes him a second to speak up. “I decided to get out and let loose a little. It looks like we had the same idea. What are the chances of that?”

If I wasn’t seeking friction at the moment, I might have a snarky response. It’s too bad a verbal battle is the last thing I want right now.Needright now.

I respond with the first thing that comes to mind. “I needed this.” My breathing is coming out in heavy pants. “It feels good to have control.”

“It looks good on you.”Huh?

“What does?” I’m in such a haze of bliss I’m not sure which way is up.

His hands have a tight grip on my hips, causing my mind to draw a blank.

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