Page 34 of A Game of Ruck
And I think he does.
God help me, I think hereallymight.
Even Jasmine, my little cousin and forever background add-on in every family photo, came up to me when the rest weren’t looking and admitted shereads my magazine.
She even bookmarked one of the articles on body image and PCOS.
Like what?
Sure, she said it in a whisper like she was passing me state secrets, but still.It meant something.
For once, I wasn’t just the cousin they had to invite out of obligation.I wasn’t invisible.I was seen.
But more than anything—it’sLucawho’s changed the way I see myself.
With him, I don’t feel like the odd girl out or the chubby cousin tagging along.
I feelwanted.
Like I’m this stunning, irresistible thing he can’t get enough of.
Like the way I carry my curves, and my sarcasm makes him hungry.
And the worst part?
I like it.
Alot.
I keep having to remind myself this isn’t real.
That Luca Warden—the smoldering-eyed, abs-for-days, starting forward for the Carolina freaking Rovers—isn’t actually mine.
That this is temporary.A favor.
A performance.
But then he touches me like I’m precious.He feeds me strawberries like I’m royalty.And I’m kind of having a hard time believing I ever cared what Lisa and the rest of them thought about me in the first place.
Still, reality has a way of creeping back in at the worst possible moments.
Like now, when thezipperon this slinky emerald-green dress refuses to cooperate.
“Ugh,seriously?”
I grunt, twisting at an angle that would make a chiropractor weep.
The damn thing’s snagged halfway up my back and refusing to budge, no matter how many creative curses I throw at it.
Because of course it sticks.
Because the universe is petty and I’m already thirty minutes behind schedule, sweating like a sinner in church in front of a full-length mirror while this gown tries its absolute best toassassinateme.
I groan and drop my arms in surrender.
“Death by designer dress.That’s how it ends,” I mutter.“Lisa will be thrilled.”
I’m just about to grab my phone to textemergency helpto the manager of the hotel when there’s a knock at the bedroom door.
