Page 26 of The Lucky One

I turn to Bridget. “We’ve already got love, so maybe we can mix it up with some luck or mischief? Keep life interesting.”

There’s a beat where I wonder if she might actually hit me.

Her eyes widen and I know I’ve hit the point of no return. Her eyes are practically screaming:are you insane?

I just want to fully board this rollercoaster and see what happens. Sure, I want to know what life looks like beyond football but I also need to get out of my own head and so does she. Her need to know everything that comes next needs some shaking up.

She needs a Titanic moment where she experiences what freedom feels like, arms outstretched and wind in her air.

I scoot a little closer and lean into her, speaking quietly so Holden can’t hear. “Come on, Goldilocks. Live a little. This was your suggestion. Or are you scared?”

She narrows her eyes at me, but I know she’s not going to call me out in front of all these people. That would give people a less than stellar impression of her.

“I’m not scared.”

“Then, share a tart with me. Trust me and jump.”

She takes a deep breath, and I know I’ve got her. “You’re ridiculous,” she says on an exhale.

“Ridiculously charming.” I flash a smile at her and reach for the tart.

She crosses her arms with a huff, but she doesn’t look away. “We’re tempting fate, Weston.”

“I think he’s already got that covered,” Holden replies, offloading the rest of the food onto the table.

I tear off a piece of the flaky pastry, enamoured by the scent of cinnamon and apples. This could turn out to be nothing, but it could also turn out to be something. I came here looking for what my future holds, so how hard am I trying if I don’t go all in on something like this?

Sure, magic exists. But so does free will, and nothing is going to happen without the choices I make. The choiceswemake.

I extend a piece to Bridget.

All three of us are quiet as her eyes flick to the tart, to mine, then back to the tart. I’m not backing down on my challenge for her to step outside her comfort zone, and there’s no way she’s missing that.

As much as I want to see Bridget stop trying so hard to control everything in her life, and give in to the possibilities that areoutof her control, I think she needs to see that more.

“It’s like celebrating an anniversary. We had apple pie the first time we met, remember?” I wink.

With a sigh, she plucks the tart out of my fingers. “If this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”

“I’d expect nothing less, Spitfire.”

I meet Sebastian’s eyes from across the room and he raises his coffee in our direction. He doesn’t seem that scary.

With a flourish, I drop the tart into my mouth.

When in Rome.

nine

BRIDGET

MARCH11

I only thought I loved Enchanted Hollow during the day.

But tonight it’s a whole new experience.

The hustle and bustle of people pressing against each other as they shop the wares offered and sample the food and drink strewn all over the streets of the square. Different bands rotate across the stage they’ve temporarily erected and the town is aglow with golden hour light. Someone wove lights through the trees lining the sidewalks and they switched on a little early, rotating between warm white and green lighting. They’ll be extra magical when the sun finally dips below the horizon. Warm sugar and spices float in the air, mingling with laughter and chatter.

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