Page 28 of Trapped and Tackled

Talon Miller grins and my heart skips a damn beat.

“Hey there, Sunny Leni,” he calls out, leaning against the edge of the swimming pool like he’s relaxing on a sofa.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I say, drawing closer.

I sit on the ledge, the pool water lapping at my toes.

Talon smirks. “I’m hardly fancy.” He says it jokingly, but I note the seriousness in his eyes.

He’s laid-back, casual, and familiar. Charismatic and fun.

And yet, his tone speaks to a regret. Or, worse, an apology.

“Fancy is overrated.” I shrug, my thoughts still caught up on Grandpa McIntyre.

He cocks his head, looking up at me. “Is it?” he murmurs, before reaching for my hand.

Before I can sort out the meaning behind his words, he tugs me forward and I half fall, half jump into the pool.

“Talon!” I snort, shaking water from my eyes and smacking his shoulder.

“You need to warm up, Leni?”

“Warm up?” I sputter. “For what?”

“You ready to race?”

“You?” I laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t stand a chance, Miller.”

He grins, flexing his muscles obnoxiously. Deliciously. “Care to back up that claim?”

I grip the side of the wall, curiosity piqued. “What are you suggesting?”

“A friendly wager.” His eyes glisten.

“How friendly?” Mine narrow.

And oh, do his spark. “If I win, you let me take you out tomorrow night.”

My heart rate doubles at his words.

Is this another friend date? To prepare for our weekend together?

Or…is this different? More.

My legs kick the water beneath me. Hope rises in my chest and I suck in a breath to temper it.

Talon quirks an eyebrow…waiting.

I clear my throat. “And when I win?—”

He laughs at my word choice and tugs on the end of my ponytail. “I’ll let you pick the restaurant.” He passes me my swim cap. “Get ready, Sunny Leni. We race in ten.”

“What?” I shake my head.

“Nine,” Talon begins to count.

Rushing, I pull on my swim cap and snap my goggles into place.

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