Page 5 of Headed for Home

Hysterical laughter nearly bends me in half. This must be a joke. “Pass.”

“What can I do to change your mind?”

“Nothing,” I quip. “I’m not interested.”

“That’s a shame. We could recreate that scene you were reading, my beauty.”

I huff at the familiar term of endearment. “Not funny.”

“C’mon,” he urges. “Let me be your Dixon.”

My amusement fades. “You’re serious?”

His smile is a slow upward stretch, like a gambler about to win the jackpot. “I’ll help you unwind. Personally. Intimately. Carnally.”

Neglected arousal attempts to cloud my better judgment and I almost agree. Resolve straightens my spine in the next instant. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

His eyes dance with humor. “You’re totally thinking about it.”

“I’m not.” But I most definitely am. Most in my position would do the same.

Drake’s expression turns almost sheepish. “Will you at least give me your number? I’ll behave moving forward. For the most part. Promise.” He releases a weighty exhale. “In all honesty, I’m not sure what came over me. There’s just something about you that struck me deep, but I’ve clearly overstepped. Can I get another chance?”

For a blissful moment, I imagine doing just that. He’d call. We’d flirt. A passionate fling would kick off from there. It would be unforgettable and satisfying—but ultimately temporary.

That reminder bursts my bubble. Reality replaces wishful thinking. I’m not the type to do casual. Hell, I can’t even fathom a quick bang to scratch an itch. My responsibilities are complicated and demanding.

A drawn-out sigh escapes me. “Unfortunately, my availability is very limited.”

“Lucky for you, I’m wide open and very flexible.”

I roll my lips between my teeth to trap a giggle. “It’s probably best to appreciate this moment we were given and go our separate ways. We’re obviously in the market for different things. I enjoyed bumping into you, though.”

Drake chuckles. “Is that your attempt at letting me down gently?”

“Sure?”

“I do like to go down, but there’s nothing gentle about my methods. More like thorough and complex.” The determined charmer winks. “You’ll learn that about me as we get to know each other better.”

“But—”

He shakes his head to cut me off. “Just let it happen. What’s meant to be will find a way, right?”

“If you say so.”

“I do,” he rasps.

“Um, okay. Until then, I guess.” There’s not much else to say. I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s not the sort to surrender willingly.

As if to prove my point, Drake steps into my space until he’s towering over me—but then smirks, those delicious dimples on full display. I feel my resolve crumbling in real time. “Same time tomorrow, beauty?”

The pen in my grip taps out an agitated beat to match the restless energy inside of me. I can’t stop picturing wild red hair, freckled cheeks, green eyes, and a blinding smile. The girl from my past has become the endgame I’ve been hoping to find. Sappy as fuck and I couldn’t care less. Seeing Cassidy again after all these years feels like destiny. And it’s about damn time.

Garrett and Ridge give me shit for picking the worst women to date. Those two can kick rocks, even if they’re right. The guys I consider my best friends—not to mention business partners—are blissfully attached while I remain the last singleton standing. But I’m about to hit a home run and be out of this slump for good. I’ll be relentless now that I know Cassidy is in Knox Creek. How I didn’t notice her around town sooner remains a mystery.

Maybe the delay was for our benefit somehow. That’s what I’m telling myself to avoid traveling down the road of missed opportunities. What matters is that we’ve been reunited and she’s still Cassidy Brooks. It’s a miracle she’s never beenmarried. Not sure how that’s possible, but I have every intention of claiming her as mine. Once and for all.

Cassidy isn’t planning to make that task easy for me if the past three days are any indication. If only I could casually bump into her again. That would save me the trouble of looking like a stalker. Or she might be flattered by unconventional methods of seeking her out.

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