Page 26 of Play Like a Girl

Penny

I exitedthe plane then walked through the tunnel and immediately spotted Kenny, looking sexier than he should in khakis and a Waves polo shirt. Skirting the crowd, I ran over to him and jumped into his arms as I reached him and placed my mouth on his. I reminded myself to keep the kiss PG-rated in deference to our public location.

He ended the kiss and stepped back, putting his arm around my waist as we started to walk through the concourse.

“How was your flight?”

“It was good. I managed to sleep most of the way so I feel surprisingly refreshed.”

“Well, you look beautiful as always.”

I smiled up at him, feeling the blush his words caused spread across my cheeks. He says things like that to me all the time, even when I don’t look my best. Like now. Even though I slept on the plane, I’m sure I have dark circles under my eyes. Plus, wearing my old leggings and oversized T-shirt with my hair pulled into a messy bun, I’m no supermodel. Except in his eyes.

I could have waited to fly home until this morning but opted to take the redeye last night after my final game in Nevada. Not myfinalfinal game, just the last one of the season. And since I’m not playing in the fall league, I’ll be in Myrtle Beach with Kenny for six glorious months.

Which is a good thing because we have a wedding to plan. His mom and dad are pushing for a big society thing, but we’re leaning toward something more casual and intimate.

“So did Nadia announce anything?” he asked.

“No, she hasn’t decided yet. She said they’ll leave it up to fate. If she gets pregnant, she’ll retire. If she doesn’t, she’ll play another year.”

We followed the signs to baggage claim and made our way to the carousel for my flight.

“I guess that’s a sound plan,” he said while we waited. “And what about you? Are you happy with your decision?”

I mentioned the possibility of retiring to Kenny shortly after he proposed. He said he’d support whatever I decide, but he thinks I should continue playing for a couple more years.

After he walked out on his father and flew to see me in Florida, we didn’t know what was going to happen. But, despite the fact that his father has been dangling the Waves in front of Kenny like a prize he needs to jump through hoops to win, Mr. Hanover is super traditional and really wants his son to take over the team when he retires. Kenny’s mom also helped her husband see the light as far as her son’s schedule is concerned.

So for the past four months, we haven’t been apart for more than ten days at a stretch. We’ve spent a fortune on airfare, but it’s been worth it. Kenny even managed to come to the Olympics to watch Team USA snag a gold medal. It was extra special having him there.

Kenny leaned against the wall and pulled me to him, my back to his front, and wrapped his arms around me.

“Did you want to do something tonight?”

“Nothing special. Maybe order takeout and just relax.”

“I didn’t know if you made plans with Dale and Karen since it’s an off day.”

The conveyor belt started and soon all shapes, sizes, and colors of luggage appeared. I spotted mine coming through the opening and straightened. Dale released his hold on me and we both walked over to retrieve my five bags, which hold all my worldly possessions. Well, except for the stuff I have stashed at Dale and Kenny’s houses. Which reminds me…

“We’re going to Dale’s tomorrow after the game. Karen got some boxes so I can clean out my room and bring everything to your place.”

We worked together to round up all my bags, Kenny handling the bulk of the load, and

headed toward the exit.

“Ourplace.”

“What?”

“You always call it my place. It’s ours.”

“Ours,” I said, mimicking the way he’d enunciated the last word.

He smiled down at me as we walked through the sliding glass doors and out to the parking lot. His car was parked in the second row and he popped the trunk as we approached then tossed two suitcases and the smaller duffle inside. After slamming the trunk, he put the remaining two bags in back seat.

He opened the passenger door and waited until I was seated and buckled to close it. I watched him walk around the front of the car, my mouth watering at the sight of him. It watered even more when he got behind the wheel and his sexy scent filled the interior of the car.

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