Page 22 of The Strike Zone

If I could use one word to describe the expression he was currently wearing, it would bedetermined.

“Do you want to go for a drink with me sometime?”

I blinked, my brain slowly trying to catch up. “What?”

“A drink. Tonight? After the game. Or anytime. Soon. This week. Tomorrow.”

“With me?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “You.”

I swallowed hard, a poor attempt to moisten my dry mouth, wishing I hadn’t finished my coffee already.

Parker sat back again, and this time he stayed there, arms crossed and eyebrow raised as he watched me with amusement spread over his face.

“You okay there, Scout?”

I closed my mouth and nodded. I didn’t dare speak.

What was happening?Howwas this happening?Now?

Goddamn.

“Well, while you’re thinking about your answer, I want you to know that I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. I should have told you last year, except I blew it and then you started dating.” His jaw clenched briefly. “But rumor has it you’re single again, and I’m not about to waste this season doing nothing about it. So, what do you say? Wanna go for a drink with me?”

Did I want to go for a drink with Parker King?

Man, why couldn’t he have asked me like eight months ago? Before Shit Head.

Or even a few days ago, before I’d decided I was going to make better relationship choices, and dating athletes was a bad idea.

And concentrate on work.

Crap, yes,work.Work including the new role I’d been asked to apply for.

“Um, wow…um.”

Jeez, wanna sayumone more time, Scout?

Parker picked up his shake and waited. It was unnerving.

“I…” My shoulders dropped with a resigned sigh. “Parker, I’m flattered, I really am. I?—”

Narrowed green eyes pinned mine. “Tell me you’re not getting back together with Rangers’ Douche. Please,pleasetell me you’re not.”

“Who?”

“The guy you were dating. Rangers Douche.” He frowned. “Didn’t he work for the Rangers?”

“How did you—” I started, then remembered I was friends with the second biggest gossip at the Lions, who in turn was friends with the biggest. Did everyone here know that I’d been cheated on? God, how humiliating. “Never mind, I guess Pablo told you.”

His head tilted as he peered at me, and he nodded slowly. “Sure. Let’s go with Pablo. Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Are you dating Rangers Douche again?”

“No. I’m not.”

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