Page 68 of Wildcat
I reach out and cup his cheek. It’s rough with a day or two’s worth of stubble. “Don’t be.”
I make the first move this time. That dimple on the left side of his mouth appears as my lips drop to his. Somehow he’s warm, even though I’m wearing his sweatshirt. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him. I might have started the kiss, but he takes over.
And I give in. Not just to his kiss, but to him.
This is happening.
We spendthe rest of the day at Ash’s house. He and Tyler come back from fishing, and the four of us sit outside, enjoying the sunshine that finally came out. We play bags (which Ash and Leo insist on calling corn hole), and as the afternoon fades into evening, we get ready to head back.
I walk down to the lake one more time to capture the late sun over the lake. Leo comes with me, but stands off to the side while I snap a dozen or more photos. I glance back to find him watching me.
“I’m almost done. I promise. I just need to get one more shot.”
“No rush.” His smile is easy, stance relaxed and unhurried.
I bring up my camera and take the photo before he realizes what I’m doing.
“Are my eyes closed? Am I holding my mouth weird? Sometimes I pull my bottom lip behind my teeth. Not a great look in photos.” He walks toward me.
“See for yourself?” I hold it out for him to look.
“I’ll be damned.” He clears his throat. “I’m going to need a copy of that.”
“You’re serious?” I ask through laughter when he doesn’t break a smile.
“Hell yeah, I’m serious. It’s a one in a million shot.”
“You just needed the right photographer.” I smash my cheek to his and extend the camera out in front of him, taking one more of the two of us just for me.
23
READY FOR ROUND TWO?
SCARLETT
Saturday night Jadeand I are working a promotion at Wild’s, the bar next to the arena. I thought it would be quiet in here until after the game, but it seems that anyone who didn’t get tickets to see the Wildcats play St. Louis came here to watch instead.
I’m standing behind our promotion table while Jade makes rounds around the bar. She’s so much better at this than me.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say when she comes back with her tray empty.
“Only for another hour. I have to get to Whittaker for my shift at the bar.”
A group of girls approach our table, and I fill shots for them. One good thing about it being so busy in here is that people don’t stay and chat, which means I can catch up with Jade.
“How much longer until you’re done?”
“I told Mike I’d cover any weekend shifts until he finds someone else.”
There’s cheering at the bar, and I look up to see the Wildcats scored. The guys on the ice gather around Jack.
“I wish you could stay and hang out.” Leo and some of his teammates are coming here after the game. I’m giddy with anticipation. “He invited me to stay at his house tonight, so we could spend more time together before he leaves for Arizona tomorrow afternoon.”
Jade grins. “When are you tellingCoachMiller?”
I elbow her. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to make a mess of things for nothing.”
“You want to make sure you like him first?” she asks. “That makes sense.”
