Page 67 of Trip Me Up

“She is? What a coincidence. You like kids, too. As I recall, you had a plan to fill that farmhouse with—”

“No, Gabi, we’re not talking about that now.”

“I’m just saying, maybe you’ve got more in common with Sam than you thought.”

I stood and paced around the bench. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You like her.”

Bilbo barked once. I froze and looked at him. Bilbo thumped his tail. “Of course I like her.”

Bilbo barked again.

“No, you like-like her. You have visions of taking her to the farm. Showing her your secret cove. A big wedding in the meadow. Popping out posh little blue-eyed babies.”

“That’s ridiculous.” How the hell had she guessed? “Shh, Bilbo.” He stopped barking, gave his rear end a quick glance over his shoulder, and spun in a circle, chasing his tail. He needed space to run, not walks on a leash.

“You haven’t slept with her, have you? You know how you get when sex is involved. There’s meeting the family and trips to the farm and talk about forever—”

“No.” Then, under my breath, “Not exactly.”

She gave a dramatic gasp. “What the fuck does ‘not exactly’ mean? Was there an orgasm?”

“There may have been.” How did she always drag my secrets out of me?

“Then it was sex. Watch out, Niall. The princess has secrets. Don’t get emotionally invested until you know what they are.”

“Everyone has secrets.” Sam’s dyslexia wasn’t my secret to share.

“I know you like her. But she’s going to shred your heart when she leaves.” I knew what she was thinking, even though she’d never say it. That I was sensitive to people leaving me. Because of what my asshole of a father had done.

But Sam wasn’t like him. “I’ll be careful.”

“Liar. Guard that soft heart of yours, Niall.”

That was why we’d stayed friends after we’d broken up. The fussing. “You guard it. You had it last.”

Gabi snorted. “Please. If you’d wanted me, you’d have followed me to the city. Don’t try to get me off track. This is important.”

“What is?”

“Niall.” She stretched out my name like I was a child or a very naughty puppy. “You’re both nominated for the Tower Prize. That makes you rivals.”

“No!”

“No? What, is one of you going to withdraw from the contest?”

“Of course not. This is great for both of us.” But…should we? What would happen if one of us won? That would mean the other lost. Would the loser be bitter about it? Would I? Should I withdraw to save myself the pain?

“Niall. Do. Not. Withdraw.”

“I won’t. Probably. Being nominated is an honor. It’s huge for our careers. I’m sure Sam and I will be fine, whoever wins.” In fact, when I got back to the hotel, I’d practice my I’m-so-thrilled-you-won smile in front of the mirror.

“This is me rolling my eyes, Niall.”

Bilbo sat up and barked. I patted his head.

“I need to take Bilbo back.”

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