Page 85 of Fumbling for Perfection

“Some people have to work in the morning.” She shakes her head at her.

“We all do, cupcake. Three margaritas in almost two hours and a boat load of cheese and carbs to soak it all up isn’t going to throw a wrench in your Monday routine.” She reaches across the table and nudges the margarita our waitress delivers closer to Riley. “Drink up buttercup.”

“Speaking of.” Jackson blots his mouth with his napkin and sets it on his plate. “The car service turns into a pumpkin in an hour. I told our driver we’d be ready to go by now.”

He and Taylor stand and drop a stack of bills on the table.

“I can cover dinner.” I reach for the pile of cash and Jackson swats my hand away. “You earned your free meal tonight, brother. Next one’s on you though.”

“Why did you order me a drink if you knew we were leaving soon?” Riley takes a sip from her margarita and starts to stand.

Kendall pushes her shoulder until she’s seated again. “We don’t all have to go. Walker, you haven’t been drinking. Can you take Riley home?”

“Fabulous idea.” Jackson claps his hands. “Now you have time to finish your beverage and even wash it down with another basket of chips.”

Riley crosses her arms and scowls at Jackson and then Kendall. “Really?”

She’s not impressed with their matchmaking, but I sure the fuck am. “It’s not a problem, Riley. As soon as you’re ready, I can take you home.”

I’d much rather stay another hour or five, then take her back to my place, but I’ll follow her lead. As long as she’s not shutting me out, there’s a chance we can be together again.

“I had a great time today. We’ll have to do this again.” Rowan hugs Riley, then me, as do the others.

When Riley and I are alone again, I hide my smile behind my glass of water. Tonight was the first time since I met this well-established group of friends that I felt like I belonged. I wasn’t the outsider to inside jokes. I wasn’t an observer of conversations. I was part of the group, if not the center of it.

“Is this awkward, or does me asking if it’s awkward make it awkward?” Riley draws her finger through the condensation on her glass.

“Define awkward.” I rest my elbow on the table and cup my chin in my palm.

“Hell. It’s me. I’m awkward.” She picks up her glass and takes a healthy gulp of her margarita.

And then I realize thatI’mthe problem here. I all but accosted her on the yacht at Jackson and Taylor’s wedding and promised to hunt her down. Okay, maybe I didn’t come across as a lion seeking its prey, but by her obvious nerves, that’s how I made her feel.

I’m no good at this cat mouse game. The little time I spend with a woman is to scratch a mutual itch. I’m not a player, and not a man whore, but women know the deal. Before I met Riley, it had been at least two seasons since I took a woman on a date. If I have a need, I go out with my teammates. There’s always plenty of willing and able beautiful women who’d love to have a one-night stand with an NFL player.

Hell, that’s what I thought was happening with Riley, until I spent four seconds with her and realized she was different. She was special.

Then I called her a money chasing slut.Way to go, Walker.Jackson’s lack of advice isn’t helpful either. She doesn’t want to be chased, she wants to be cared for. I have to let her know I’m interested without making her feel I’m only after one thing. I remind myself it was her idea to bring her friends—ourfriends, my brother and his husband—to watch me play.

Settling back in my seat, I offer her a gentle smile. “We can go anytime you’re ready, Riley. For the record, I don’t think you or the situation is awkward. I’d like to call us friends, at least.”

“I’m sorry, Walker.” She lowers her chin to her chest.

“For what?”

She looks up at me with those gorgeous chocolate eyes and I watch as a line forms between her brows. “I’m not really sure.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes, then I push my chair back and offer her my hand. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure you’re going to push yourself to be at work early.”

She stares at my hand for a moment, and when I think she’s going to refuse it, she takes it and stands. She surprises me again when she doesn’t let go and holds on to me as I lead us out of the restaurant.

When we’re on the road heading back into the city, she finally speaks. “I’d like us to be friends.”

“I’d like that too. Especially since you’re so close with Jackson.”

“Even if you weren’t his brother, I’d still...I’d still want us to be friends.”

Not lovers. Not in a relationship. Not soulmates. Friends. Just friends.

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