Page 75 of The Long Game

Concern coats his face.

“I think there should be a Beagle named Daisy, too. The kids will probably be into sports, and I work too much. Duane would be lonely without a friend.”

He laughs and nods.

“We wouldn’t want Duane to be lonely.”

“No, we wouldn’t.” I say, our eyes locking.

Tucker gently brushes his finger around the back of my neck. He’s going to pull me in for a kiss and I already know I’m going to let him.

“Lexi…” Tucker says softly.

“Yes?” I say, almost breathless.

“Dessert anyone?” my mom calls as she walks through the double doors of my dad’s office with two plates of cobbler and a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Tucker let’s go of me instantly and we both act like a couple of kids that almost got caught making out. I guess being in your parents’ house will have that effect on you. I laugh to myself.

The smell of cinnamon and sweet peaches makes my mouth water. So does the idea of kissing Tucker. But my mother’s cobbler can’t be denied… and neither can my feelings for the man sitting next to me.

“You two making any progress?” she asks.

“Yeah, I think we’re at a good stopping point.” I look over at Tucker to confirm.

He nods.

“We’ll come out and eat with you and Tom,” Tucker says as he takes both plates from my mom and follows her out.

An hour later, I yawn at the island, our plates licked clean.

“I better get going. I have a long day tomorrow,” I say.

“I’ll walk you out,” Tucker offers.

“Night sweetie,” my mom says.

“I’ll see you in the office, Lex,” my dad informs.

Tucker walks me to my car. The cold December air swirls around us.

Tucker opens my door, and I climb in to start it. He shuts it as I roll down the window.

“Are you headed back tomorrow?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’m going to hit the gym with Desh in the morning and then get lunch with my sister before I head out of town.”

“You and Luca have an away game this week, right?”

“Yeah, Dallas.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back next week. Same time.”

“Ok. I should have a better detail layout by then. My team got the measurements of the house last week and should have it on the CAD system before the end of the week.”

“Sounds good. Text me when you get home so I know your safe.”

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