Page 40 of Not By the Playbook

We’re panting and slippery with sweat. Logan brushes a damp lock out of my face.

“I love you.”

He said it. He actually said those three words. You know how people say if you pinch yourself, it doesn’t hurt? They lied. But who cares?

I bring a shaking hand to the nape of his neck. “I love you, too.”

We lie there, he plays with my hair, then he faces me and props himself up on one elbow. A frown comes over his face. “Your job…?”

I grimace.Oh, yeah. That.

“I’ll talk to Jenna—” Logan says, but I bring a finger to his lips. The last thing I want is more interference.

“No, don’t. She’ll do what’s right, as will I.” I snort. “Ishould have done the right thing from the start. Shouldn’t have faked anything.”

“I’m done with faking,” Logan vows.

“No more faking,” I agree and pull him back down into my arms.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

LOGAN

It's beensix months since Rebecca decided to leave McCann. Jenna immediately set Becs up with a meeting at another company, after warning her not to pull any more shenanigans. Becs promised and went on to ace the interviews all the way to a career development position at a boutique advertising firm. She even negotiated more money.

Right on cue, Rebecca breezes through the door of the apartment.

“Hi, boyfriend.” She comes over and gives me a peck on the cheek. I catch her by the hips. A little smooch like that just won’t do. I go in for more, and she moans. When I draw back, hair has gotten into her eyes and I stroke it back behind her ear.

“Hi, girlfriend.” I can’t help but grin.

She gives me a slow, sweet smile back as if she still can’t believe we are together. She drags her hands down my sides proprietarily, and hooks her thumbs through my belt hoops. I obey her unspoken demand and kiss her again.

“Good day?” I ask.

“Uh-huh.” Her eyes bright, impish. “Better still because I get to come home to you.”

Rebecca moved in a couple of months after we turned our fake relationship into a real one.

“What about you?” She tilts her head to the side.

“Good.” I bend to nuzzle her neck and breathe in the familiar scent of her perfume before straightening. “But you could make it better.” I accompany my suggestion with a wink.

Her laugh makes my heart clench. I hoist her onto the counter, and snake my hands under her pencil skirt, run them up her thighs.

The football season wrapped up a couple of months ago, and the team is now readying for the next one. It will be my last, but I’m already in talks with ESPN for a sports commentator job. My relationship with Jenna has grown too, we’ve been spending more time together and haven’t maimed or murdered each other yet. She approves of my post-football plan—not that I need her to—and gives Becs all the credit.

My sister is also aware of the ring box stashed in my gym bag. It’s quick, but I don’t care. I’m popping the question as soon as Becs gives me a sign that she’s ready. We didn’t start off as a conventional couple, why look to the playbook now?

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