Page 266 of By His Play

Kieran: Never.

Effie: You’re distracting me.

Kieran: My number one goal in life always.

Kieran: I’m hard thinking about what you did this morning.

A wave of heat flows through me.

Effie: Cold shower before hitting the gym then?

Kieran: Won’t help. I just need you.

Effie: Later.

Kieran: It’s too long

Effie: I’ll remind you of that when you’re at an away game.

Kieran: No need. You’ll be coming with me.

All the air rushes out of my lungs.

Effie: Kieran…

Kieran: Not being without you ever again.

A knock on my door forces me to stop replying, and as soon as I call out, Henry pokes his head inside.

He gives me a double take, and I can only assume it’s because of the smile on my face.

“Do you have a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

Effie: Gotta go. See you later. Love you x

63

KIERAN

Despite being busy all day, it’s fucking dragged.

I was still sitting out the front of the KC Foundation office when I pulled my cell out to message her.

The elevator doors had barely closed on her, and I already missed her.

As much as I love being back here, I’m mourning our time in St. Louis where it was just us with no other commitments or distractions.

Before sending her a message, I opened the ones I’d received from Brax both last night and this morning.

Brax: Smug motherfucker

Brax: Do don’t anything I wouldn’t do.

Brax: Are you still alive?

Brax: Kieran, you need to let her go to work…

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