Page 76 of Playoff

“The Christmas market in Strasbourg.”

He’s thoughtful for a few seconds. “Okay, I think that’s fair. What’s next on your bucket list now that this is checked off?”

“Paris.” I grin.

“Still your number one destination for your honeymoon?”

“Yup.”

He laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Oh, for the love of everything holy… why does he say shit like that?

Like we may get married someday.

Like we’re going to find a way to make this work.

Even though we’re sneaking around.

Even though he’s probably not staying in L.A.

Even though we’re fucked if hedoesstay.

That just makes me sad, though, so I lean against him and stare out at the magical view that’s coming to an end.

This is absolutely my number one date ever.

I still love Greece and Strasbourg, but those were vacations. I’ve never been on a date like this, and it makes me ridiculously happy.

“Tonight,” I whisper, “you can do anything you want to me.”

His eyes turn to liquid fire.

“Don’t I already?”

“Maybe, but tonight you get carte blanche.”

“Baby, I don’t need carte blanche—I only want to do things that make you feel good.”

“Everything we do together feels good.”

“That’s why I don’t need anything more.”

I am one thousand percent falling in love with him all over again.

Maybe I never stopped.

Maybe memories of what we had is what’s kept me from letting anyone get that close. I probably fooled myself by saying I’m busy, cautious, haven’t met the right guy. And all of those things could be true. But the bigger truth is that no one else has ever been Blake. Even as hurt and angry as I’ve been over the years, I’ve also never forgotten the good times. How it feels whenhe touches me. What it’s like when we’re just hanging out, when it’s carefree and comfortable and… real.

That’s what it boils down to.

Sometimes romance is all fantasy.

Blake is the only guy I’ve ever been with who can combine the fantasy with reality. There have definitely been hard times—really bad ones—but the good seems to make up for them.

Tonight is no exception.

This is a night I’ll never forget.

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