Page 118 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

When we’re back in the elevator, she leans into my side, her arms wrapping loosely around my waist. The faint scent of her shampoo lingers, and I resist the urge to rest my chin on top ofher head. Instead, I keep my arm around her shoulders, holding her close.

“What about Gio?” I ask after a moment, my voice low in the quiet hum of the elevator. I might not love her dog—okay, fine, he’s kind of a menace—but I don’t want the poor little bastard stuck alone overnight.

She tilts her head up to look at me, a soft smile on her lips.

“He was out with the dog walker tonight—but thanks for asking. I’ll relay the message.”

“Thanks. I need all the help I can get.”

She grins, leaning up to press a quick kiss to my jawline. “It’s because you’re not handing over the treats fast enough. He’s a slut for snacks.”

22

austin

“What was the first thing going through your mind when I was shit talking you at Five Alarm that night you were sitting at the bar?”

I ask him from out of the dark, holding his hand in mine.

It’s pitch black, and we’ve been laying here in silence since we climbed into his bed, enjoying the kind of comfortable that settles in when you’ve said everything—but still want to be near each other.

I love this solitude.

And his sheets.

And his bed.

“I loved your sassy mouth,” he says softly. “And I thought you were so freaking gorgeous.”

I furrow my brow. “You thought I was gorgeous while I wasinsultingyou?”

He is so strange, ha ha.

“Absolutely. You were fearless. A little terrifying, actually.”

“Terrifying?” I tease, nudging his ankle with my toe.

“Pretty, confident women are always a little intimidating, don’t you think?”

I smile into the blanket. “You’re so sweet.”

“Thanks.” He pauses. “You were exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for.”

I melt into the mattress. “Without prying, I really have to ask what all that nonsense was between you and Nova—the love at first sight stuff.”

Gio squeezes my hand. “I thought we agreed we were going to blame the wine for her blurting that out.”

“Don’t deflect. I want to know.”

“Fine. It wasn’t about you specifically.”

“I wasn’t thinking it was.”But that has me wondering…

“It wasn’t about you specifically tonight. But I’ve been thinking about it more since you came into my life.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t really believe in that kind of thing before. Love at first sight. Soulmates. All that Hallmark love stuff.”

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