Page 20 of Their Greatest Strength

Keeping my chin high, I ask, “I’m just supposed to believe that?”

“I’d like it if you did, but I don’t expect you to. I’m just a random guy.”

“That’s not a very convincing sentiment.”

“Do you want me to stand here and convince you?”

“No.”

“Then let’s spend our time doing something else. If I were to ask to drive you home, would you let me?”

“No. But, as a thank you for the shoes, you can walk with me.”

“Deal.”

My eyebrows jump in disbelief. “You don’t want to think about that for a minute? I could have us walking for three hours.”

“That’s three hours I’ll have to convince you to say yes to my proposal. I wouldn’t turn that down.”

“What proposal?”

He winks before finding a spot at my side again and tilting his head down to look at me. “We’ll talk on the way.”

7

JAMIE

I still don’t knowher name.

And it’s not like that’s the only thing I don’t know. It’s just one of many questions I have. Where does she live, why did she walk instead of drive when it’s hot enough that my thighs are probably burning in the sun, and who was she buying those shoes for?

With a glance down at her feet, I confirm that there’s no chance she’s a men’s size eight. They’re incredibly small, and considering the flopping sole at the back of her old sneaker, I can’t see her choosing a pair of cleats for a replacement.

Whoever she was getting them for is lucky. I don’t say this because I’m the face of the shoes, but they’re pretty great. They’re the ones I wear on the field for every practice and game.

I move to her left side when we reach the street and stay close enough that our arms continuously brush. Every touch sends sparks through my limb as I search her face for any sign that she feels the same thing, but I’m met with a wall of cool nothingness.

If anything, her lack of visible reaction only makes me want to step up my game and draw one out of her.

“Are you going to tell me about this proposal yet, or are we going to be walking in silence the entire time?” she asks stiffly.

“I was waiting for you to make the first move, Bandit.”

“My name is not Bandit,” she reminds me sternly.

“Tell me what it is, then.”

“What do you plan on doing once you have it?”

I steady her with a hand to her back when a guy on a bike rips up beside us, nearly crashing into her. With a glare at his back, I say, “Nothing you don’t want me to.”

Despite shrugging out of my hold, she flicks a look up at me. “Blakely.”

“Blakely,” I repeat, rolling it around in my mouth, tasting it. “I like it.”

“Oh, thank God. I was worried you wouldn’t and I’d have to change it,” she deadpans.

I choke on a laugh, staring down at her with interest I don’t bother hiding. The tip of her nose is red, and for a second, I swear I can make out the slightest curve of her lips before they’re flat again.

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