Page 66 of Still The One

‘Exactly how many first-place track girls get autographed helmets from the Famous 15 every show?’

I take the helmet from her and slide it onto her head, patting it right on top. ‘Only one so far, and you look adorable,’ I say. ‘Absolutely photo-worthy. Where’s your phone?’

She pulls it from her pocket, taps the camera button, reversing the screen to see herself. ‘I look like Gazoo fromThe Flintstones,’ she says. ‘Why is it wet?’

‘I was just wearing it.’

‘Ew,’ she groans, but it’s mixed with a giggle.

I take her phone, slinging my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, and taking a selfie of us. While she struggles to remove the helmet, I quickly text the photo to myself so I’ve got her number.

Her phone plays a short bubbly melody and she glances at the screen, helmet in one hand, phone in the other, biting back half a grin. ‘Well look at that, I’m officially off-duty.’

‘Already?’ I ask, glancing at the Apple watch on my left wrist.

‘Time flies when you’re wearing booty shorts – thank God,’ she giggles.

‘Can I be ballsy?’ I ask.

‘You can, if you’re cool with how I receive it.’

My smile grows. ‘How can I see you again?’

She smirks, glancing at her phone. ‘Well, considering you violated my privacy and texted yourself from my phone, maybe you can use that number?’

I drop my head like I’m ashamed I did that, but far from it. If I didn’t already have her number, I’d be on my knees right now asking for it – in a matter of minutes this woman has commanded my attention and I don’t hate it at all.

‘Caught,’ I say with a chuckle. ‘How about this? Tell me you feel no connection between us and I’ll delete the whole thing from my phone and pretend this day never happened.’

She purses her lips playfully, backing away from me. ‘Don’t tell me you just fell in love with me?’

Nervous laughter leaves my lips. ‘Love? Hmmm… that’s a biiiig word, Jellybean.’

Her cheeks actually flush as she pats her hair to make sure nothing is out of place after wearing my helmet. She tucks the stray hairs behind one ear. ‘You’re cute, Gummy Worm.’

‘Oh, yeah? Must I remind you that you said “sexy”, earlier?’

‘Did I?’ she asks, cocking her head like she’s already forgotten. This girl is adorable with the splatter of freckles across her nose that is now scrunched as she pretends not to flirt with me.

‘You did…’

She laughs to herself. ‘Pretty sure those were Google’s words. But on that note, I suppose you have my permission to text since you have my number. Wouldn’t want it to go to waste.’

The smile spreads across my face.

‘Good luck, Foster. I hope you’re as good at flirting as you are at riding.’ With that, she spins on a toe and heads toward the parking lot. She glances back once, flashing a smile that sends a spark of electricity through the distance between us – at least for me.

I have a feeling this girl is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. This is going to be fun.

24

EVE CASSIDY

‘Any telling dreams for you last night?’ I ask as I drive down the freeway toward our destination. I don’t know why Gen thinks a night at the club will make me like her more, but I don’t want her going alone.

Foster gives me one single nod, his eyes darting in my direction. ‘Relived the day we met.’

‘Really?’ I ask, surprised that my latest was our wedding but his is the day we met. ‘Do you still consider that a good day?’

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