Page 19 of The First Play

“I what?”

Holding my breath, I study his expression, my chest expanding when he threads his fingers between mine.

“You’re like no other girl I’ve ever met before.” He swallows, then looks up at me with this sweet vulnerability. “Are you free tomorrow night?”

“I don’t know, but if I’ve got anything going on, I’m canceling it.”

He grins. “You sure?”

“Yes. One hundred percent positive.”

I love that smile he gets after I compliment him. He seems to appreciate my desperation. If that’s what it is? Or maybe it’s just shameless flirting? Obvious crushing?

Whatever, I can tell he likes it, so I lean forward, then have to clamp my teeth against a giddy giggle when he asks, “Pick you up at four?”

“Four? I thought you were gonna say seven or something.”

“Well…” He tips his head, looking playful and adorable at the same time. “I figure we need to go do some fun stuff, and then there’s dinner and maybe a movie. And you’ve gotta have dessert, right? We really need to start at four… or maybe even three?”

I bite my lip, unable to contain my smile. “I like your thinking, Mr. Quarterback.”

He winks at me, and my insides melt into a puddle of goo.

It makes it really hard to reply, but somehow I manage to whisper, “Pick me up at three, then.” Leaning forward, I brush my lips across his cheek, and before my legs stop working, I get out of the car and do my best to walk to the house looking even mildly cool.

But I’m more like a newborn giraffe, my body wanting to skip and twirl while trying to walk like a model on a catwalk… with the world’s wobbliest legs.

I must look like the biggest dork! I’m too afraid to look back in case he’s laughing at me or changing his mind about the date.

But when I get to my front door, I can’t help myself.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see his car still parked against the curb.

Zander watched me the entire way, and I can tell by the smile on his face that he really liked what he saw.

Holy shit!

Zander Donohue likes me!

CHAPTER 8

ZANDER

The porch light gave me the perfect shot of Sienna just before she disappeared into the house. My heart is still thumping like it only just started working for the first time tonight.

Unbelievable.

That girl is… something else.

A smile tugs at my lips, and they stay that way the entire drive home. Which is like two minutes, because she seriously only lives around the corner from me.

Yes!

I’ve just had the best night of my life with the sweetest, sexiest, prettiest girl I’ve ever met.

Listening to her talk about her travels, watching how animated her face was… even in the dim light of the car, I could see the sparkle in her blue eyes.

She’s so beautiful. And it seems to be on the inside as much as the outside. She’s funny and knows so much about the world. I love how bright her voice is and the way she laughed at my comments, then did that snort thing and held her nose.

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