Page 88 of Home Field Advantage
Leaning in slowly, her breath catches. My stomach swirls with anticipation as her eyes flutter closed, and that does it. I press my lips to hers, keeping both hands on the sides of her face.
The world around me explodes.
But not even the fantasy of kissing Poppy prepared me for this.
It’s not fireworks or sparklers in the night. This is a kiss that sits on the edge of the fault line, splitting me wide open, shaking the world around me.
Her lips are soft and sweet. The tiniest sound coming out of her tells me she’s waited just as long for this moment. Almost like a relief that it’s finally happening.
I want more.
I want everything she’s willing to give me.
I let my hands slide into her hair at the same time her fingers grip at my shirt, pulling me closer, keeping me there like she’s afraid I’ll pull away.
Not a chance in hell.
For the first time in my life, I know what it feels like to kiss someone and know it’s right.
Her body melts into mine, and I deepen the kiss as my tongue grazes her bottom lip, urging her to open up for me. And she does. It takes everything in me not to lift her, wrap her legs around my waist, and pin her to the back of her front door.
This isn’t a curiosity between us.
This is inevitable.
She pulls back, breaking the kiss apart and barely breathing. I press my forehead to hers, and she stares at me with those dark emerald eyes.
She’s looking at me like I just changed her entire world.
But I think she just changed mine.
CHAPTER 22
THIS NEW COMPANY YOU’VE BEEN KEEPING MUST BE RUBBING OFF ON YOU.
Poppy
“Would you believe me if I told you I’mstillsore from playing baseball two nights ago?” Lily says, stretching her arms over her head.
“I believe it.” Blair laughs. “I’ve never seen you play as hard as you did. Nan had to keep reminding you that it wasn’t a real game, nor was it professional baseball. But you refused to listen.”
“I’m a very competitive person.”
“Like previously stated, it’s not even a real game.”
I can’t help but laugh with them, even though I wasn’t there. It’s very on brand for Lily to treat it as if it were a professional game. It feels good to hang out with Lily and Blair for a chill night in. It’s been so long that I can’t even remember when it was just the three of us. Tonight, Blair invited us over for dinner, where she was making Griffin’s signature dish—chicken parm.
“I think it’s cute that you’re all getting together for baseball nights at the barnyard now,” I say.
“Cute would be you coming.” Lily nudges my arm at my side.
“We do invite you every week,” Blair adds.
“You know that sports in any capacity aren’t my thing.”
Lily scoffs. “And you think they’re mine? I don’t have an athletic bone in my body, but it’s really nice to get out and have fun with everyone. You know, it’s not even a real game, or as bad as you think. Even Dallas takes it easy on us, being a professional baseball star and all.”
Turning my head away from both of them, I try to stuff down the tingling feeling in my stomach at them bringing up my neighbor. My very hot neighbor. My older neighbor, who kissed me a few days ago and tipped my world off its axis.
