Page 36 of Wild Pucker

Sam winks at me before walking up to the ball. He looks to the net, backs up and takes his shot. I hold my breath and watch the keeper move in the same direction as the ball, his hand just barely touches it, but it's not enough, and the ball trickles into the back of the net.

"Winner!" Joe booms over the microphone, urging the crowd to cheer as he waves his hands up in the air. "Samuel, my man, what shall you claim as your prize?" Sam looks at me and smiles. And even though I wish he'd spark even a few butterflies or make my heart stutter, he doesn't.

"Hmm," he says as if thinking hard. "What do you think?" Sam waves to the fans, who cheer even louder. "What should Ms. Valentine have to forfeit?"

I know what's coming even before the chant from the stands begins. Instead of excitement, hesitation and reluctance build in my gut. I glance quickly at Holly, who is wielding her iPhone like an executioner running the guillotine. I hope she runs out of battery.

"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" echoes through the stadium as Sam saunters over to me. I smile because it is expected of me, but I'm kind of annoyed. I can't turn him down in front of this crowd. He won fair and square, but it pisses me off that my choice has been taken away. Kisses are supposed to be organic and exciting, not forced, especially first kisses.

I place my hands on Sam's shoulders, lean on my tippy-toes and kiss his cheek. The crowd boos.

"Come on now. I think we can do better than that," Joe laughs.

"You don't have to, Lily." Sam sounds so disappointed that all the annoyance and anger I feel deflates. He's my friend and he means well. Sam is the quintessential nice guy, and I'm supposed to give him a real chance.

I think back to our almost kiss at Luke and Holly's wedding. I wanted to kiss him then. I was curious, and I suppose a part of me still is. How can I make an educated, fair decision if I don't give Sam a chance? So I tip forward again, slipping my arms around his neck, placing my mouth on his.

The kiss is warm and soft. I feel him smile against me and hear the roar of the fans around us. His lips travel over mine, teasing, testing, tasting, and a pleasant hum of awareness slowly starts to buzz through me. It's not the raging inferno that sizzles between Chase and me, but it's something.

He pulls away before the kiss can go any further, and I blink up at him with cautious curiosity.

The rest of the date goes by in a flash. We eat popcorn and cheer when Toronto scores. We laugh and talk, and I genuinely enjoy myself. When our driver pulls up to my apartment, Sam walks me to the front of the building, but he doesn't try to kiss me again. We say goodnight, and as the car drives away, I feel even more confused than ever.

11

Cougar Warning

Chase

Iwon't watch it.

I refuse to watch Lily's date with Sam, but that doesn't stop Luke from telling me I need to up my game. It also doesn't stop him from mentioning that she not only kissed Sam, but she enjoyed herself.

The thought of Lily kissing someone else makes me seethe. I want to stomp my foot like a two-year-old and throw a temper tantrum. This entire situation is shit. Sam gets to spend more time with Lily than I do because they work together, for crying out loud. Technically speaking, I work with Lily too, but I don't share an office space with her. Even though everyone insists they remain professional at work, it still doesn't sit well with me. I mean, if what Lily and I got up to in her office is any indication of professionalism at work, then I'm fucked.

My date needs to be better.

Now that the team is back in Toronto for our last preseason games, I need to focus all my energy on Lily. I'm only playing in one of the team's final warmup matches. Veteran players usually sit out during the preseason so the coaching staff can watch the youngsters battle for the final roster spots. I plan to use my extra time to woo Lily, starting tonight. Our date isn't until tomorrow, but I know she'll be in the wives-and-girlfriend box watching the game. And it just so happens, so will I.

But first I have to plan my dad with Lily. I flip through a few brochures that Holly and Avery left for me. We're planning our date this afternoon, and it's a little last minute because the team's been away for three road games.

Our date needs to be awesome, something better than a stupid soccer game. Sam should know Lily's sport of choice is hockey. We get three dates each, so I have to make sure I create the better ones. One of mine is close to Halloween, so I already told Holly and Avery I plan to dress up and take Lily to a haunted house. But that doesn't help me choose what to do tomorrow. The only perk to this entire shenanigan is that no matter what I pick, we'll be accommodated because none of the sponsoring businesses want to miss out on an advertising opportunity.

"Chase," Avery says, breezing into the office, Holly following behind her. "Glad you could make it."

"As if I had a choice," I mutter. She and Holly take a seat behind their desks, facing me. Holly looks at me expectantly, eyes darting to the brochures.

"So, what do you think? Where do you want to take Lily tomorrow?"

I look down at my options. Toronto has a host of tourist attractions. Museums, aquariums, a castle, themed restaurants, landmarks, and theatres. There is too much to choose from, and Lily would probably like them all. My advantage is that I've known her for most of my life. We have a history, and that should help me strategize. I have tons of ideas for future dates, but I'm hesitant to voice my plans for my first one.

"What's the game plan?” Avery asks expectantly.

I can't believe I am about to suggest this, but I need to show Lily how serious I am about this; she knows me as well as I know her. I need her to see that I'm in it to win it. I need to go out on a limb, be brave, and show off my proverbial balls. I need to be fearless.

"I was thinking of The CN Tower," I say in a strangled voice. Even the suggestion makes me sweat. "Maybe have dinner at 360 The Restaurant and do the Edge Walk with her."

"Excellent choice," Holly beams, but Avery looks at me with narrowed eyes.

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