Page 38 of The Forever Play

“When did you read about me?” he asks again, hisdeep, husky voice sending tendrils of pleasure down my spine.

I stiffen my back, trying to counter it. “In the Nolan USports Digest.” I shrug and make the mistake of glancing at him.

His lips are curling up at the corners, like he’s stoked that I checked him out.

With a little scowl, I add, “I didn’t finish the whole article, but I skimmed to the end and saw your answer about coffee.”

“Right.”

His disappointment gives me a spike of satisfaction until I start feeling bad and have to mutter, “So, Taylor Swift, huh? Nice choice.”

“You still addicted to her music?”

I can hear the smile in his voice and have to glance up at him again. Dammit. I’ve always loved his grin.

Biting my lips together, I nod, hoping I’m not blushing. “Yep. She’s still the best.”

“She is.”

I snort at his agreement. “But it’s not like you’re going to admit that to anyone, right?”

“I’ll admit it to you.” He shrugs. “And only you.”

My heart trills, and my stupid body can’t help but turn to face him. My mind is being overstuffed with all the times we used to listen to Taylor together. She filled his car and so many spaces we spent time together. She was the soundtrack to our love story, and I’ve tortured myself with her music over and over again.

And now he’s standing right in front of me, gazing down at my face like he’s feeling all the same things.

“Remember City of Rocks National Reserve?” he whispers, and I suddenly realize I can’t do this.

I can’t walk down memory lane.

I can’t be here with this man who I loved so freaking much.

This man who will always own the biggest piece of my heart.

CHAPTER 14

ZANDER

I can sense the shift within her, like she’s about to turn and bolt back across the road. I reach for her hand, desperate to stop her retreat.

She tenses at my touch, and I squeeze her delicate fingers before letting go and practically begging, “Please, don’t go. It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to.”

“Order for Sienna!” a lady calls.

She jolts and walks to the window, thanking the woman with a forced smile. I eye her carefully as she sips her iced tea and wonder if I’m going to be chasing this gorgeous blonde down the street when she sprints away from me yet again.

But she stays.

My heart pounds, my muscles coiled tight, ready to spring into action.

But she stays.

So I take a breath and reach for my coffee when my name is called.

Sipping the strong brew, I step up on the curb and beckon Sienna with a tip of my head. “Do you want to walk back to your place or go through the park?”

She clears her throat and steps around me, heading for the park. I let her go, walking a few paces behind her. It’s impossible not to admire her figure. She’s still so hot and beautiful. The jeans she’s wearing hug her ass perfectly, and I can still feel the shape of it in my hands. I want to pull her close. It’d be the most natural thing in the world, to wrap my arm around her.

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