Page 49 of The Way We Win

Her face lights, and her entire demeanor changes. I think about Liv dancing with Garrett and the way they grind their hips. Hell, even Zane touches Rachel like she’s made of the finest porcelain.

“Yeah, we’ve got a big night tomorrow,” I finish. “I’m going to curl up with my book and get some sleep.”

“A left-handed read?” Her eyes slant up at me, and my eyebrow arches.

“Perhaps.”

“I’m digging the look here, Allie.” Logan nods at my messy updo and glasses. “It’s cute.”

“Hmm…” I lean into Dylan’s ear and softly repeat. “Cute?”

“Logan, puppies are cute.” His wife fusses. “Allie’s a sexy librarian.”

“I’ll leave that for Jack to say.” He wraps his arms around Dylan, smiling at me with a teasing grin. “You know I prefer women who try to kill me.”

She playfully slaps her husband’s muscled forearms. “I didn’t try to kill you! You did that all on your own.”

“Set the record straight, Allie.” Logan nods at me. “You were here. She left that ghost pepper out knowing I’d think it was salsa.”

“I most certainly did not!”

“I gotta go.” I wave a hand over my head. “See y’all tomorrow at the game.”

Logan says something about being a wimp as I leave, but I don’t pay attention to him. They’ll be arguing about the first day they met for the rest of their lives.

Driving home, I sing along to the old Chicks song “Cowboy Take Me Away” at the top of my lungs. I don’t have a polished, pageant-girl voice like Raven, but alone in my car, I’m Adele.

Walking up to the house, I disarm the security system and go into the empty house alone. My shoulders fall, and I have a moment.

I don’t particularly like being alone, and with Austin leaving in a year, it’s feeling closer than ever. I see myself ending up with one of Miss Gina’s kittens, surrounded by nothing but romance novels.

As much as I love my spicy book boyfriends, they don’t put their arms around me when I’m cold at night or tug my ponytail to kiss the top of my head.

My mind drifts to Jack, and I think about him standing on the field this afternoon, only casting me one fiery glance. I think about him on the beach kissing me.Can he really wait so long?

I walk over to the window, leaning my head against the curtain and looking out into the dark. My heart stops when I see him there, again. Only, tonight he’s not hiding in the shadows. He looks both ways before jogging across the street and walking right up to my front door.

The security code is entered, and I open the door before he even has a chance to knock.

“You’re here.” My voice is breathless, and I blink up at him.

“I drove up to the restaurant, but your car wasn’t there.” His low voice floods my veins with heat.

“Dylan said you weren’t going to be there tonight.”

“Is it okay if I come in?”

“Yes…” I jump back, holding the door for him to enter.

He walks into my living room, filling the entire space with his presence. I close the door and press my back against it gazing at him standing there, looking back at me.

The ever-present cap isn’t on his head. He’s dressed in another light gray T-shirt and loose, faded jeans. Boat shoes are on his feet, and it almost looks like he left his house in a hurry.

“You were looking for me?” I could only dream he might be.

Lifting his hand, he rubs his fingers over his chin. “I was thinking about Austin. Tomorrow’s going to be a big night for him.”

My heart squeezes, and my lips press into a smile. “You were worried about my son?”

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