Page 119 of False Start

“You don’t mean that.” She frowned, hugging her chest tight, pink fluffy fabric pooling around her arms. “The football season is going to start soon, and you’ll want?—”

I cut her off. “I’ll want you there, cheering me on and keeping me humble.”

I ducked my head, resting my forehead against hers.

She scoffed, letting her arms drop. “That’s an impossible job.”

“For anyone else.” I gave her my best lopsided grin. “But you? You have a gift. And I’d be stupid to let you walk away or pretend I only wanted to be around as a friend.”

“You were desperate for my friendship once,” she huffed, shaking her head. “Absolutely convinced that friendship with me would be the best thing ever.”

I rubbed her shoulders. “That’s only because I didn’t know how much better being your boyfriend would be. It’s not even a contest.”

“My boyfriend?” Her voice wavered. “That wasn’t the deal, Trent. We were a one-time thing.”

“We were more than a one-time thing.”

“Alright, a two-week thing.”

“Not long enough.” I cleared my throat, forcing out the words I’d practiced. “Five days, two weeks, it’s not enough. I don’t want to go back to the way things were before I met you. I want to be with you. Today. Tomorrow. Hell, forever if you’ll let me.”

She exhaled but didn’t pull away. “That’s a lot.”

“It is,” I admitted. “So, let me start with something easy. Will you go on a date with me?”

“A date?”

“An actual date. Not a rally or a hotel room. Not hanging out in your apartment. Dinner and a movie. A show and a drink.”

Her fingers skimmed my coat. “What if I have something else in mind?”

“Anything you want.” I cupped her cheek in my palm, running the pad of my thumb across her skin. “Skydiving, naked rock sliding, a trip to the baked bean museum. All of the above. As long as you’re with me.”

She pressed her fingertips against my chest, gripping my white button-down shirt. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I might have sort of missed you,” she admitted, eyes fluttering up to mine. “A little.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her grip tightened, eyes wandering to the ceiling. “Because you’re a handsome football player, and I was some girl you were sleeping with during the off-season. Because I thought you’d move on and it would be easier if I called it off first.”

“You’re not some girl, Kitten. My girl, definitely, but not some girl.” I dipped my head. “And I have every intention of keeping you mine.”

She sucked in a breath before launching herself into my arms. Her body fit against mine and in an overcrowded restaurant with half the press in Norwalk sitting outside, waiting for the night rush to come in. I kissed my girl. My rally partner. My girlfriend. My Kitten.

EPILOGUE

TRENT

“Another beer?” Derek slowly rose from the sofa, gripping the armrest and gritting his teeth.

I shook my head and checked my watch. “Nope. I’ve got a hot date tonight.”

He bit back a smile. “I can’t believe you’re dating my best friend.”

“Hey now,” I goaded. “I’m your best friend, too.”

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