Page 29 of Return Policy
“Please, stop.” I laugh, almost choking on a french fry. “You’re going to pull a face muscle.” His false grimace turns immediately back to a toothed smile. “So… are you excited for the game next week?”
“Honestly?” He cracks his knuckles, which I’ve already come to learn is one of his anxious habits. “I’m kind of nervous.”
“The great Elijah Anderson is afraid of a little football game?” He sticks his tongue out at me, and I’m suddenly wondering where else I’d like it to—
“Not scared,” he says, interrupting my self-sabotaging thoughts. “Nervous. Mark and my brother are coming.”
“That’s great,” I say cheerfully as he cracks another knuckle. “Isn’t it?”
“Yes, of course. They’ve just never seen me play. And I wanna make them proud, you know?”
“You will,” I assure him.
“Yeah, if I get off the bench,” he grumbles.
My phone buzzes against the table, and I check the caller ID.Mom. I roll my eyes, decline the call, and flip it over so I don’t have to see the screen anymore.
I gnaw on my lower lip. “What about your mom?”
“What about her?” Elijah asks with curious eyes.
“Is she coming to the game?”
“No, she can’t come.” He frowns, pushing his burger away. “She has a lot on her plate right now, and I totally understand. I just miss her… you know?”
Not really…
“I’m sorry, Honey Bee.” In a moment of weakness, I place my hand on his. He flips his upward, holding mine in his large, rough grasp.
“Thanks.” He smiles softly while his finger draws rings of fire in the center of my palm.
Sophia, pull that hand away, are you crazy? We are entering falling off the wagon territory.
A large hand claps Elijah on the shoulder, causing me to jump and yank mine away. “Hey, Anderson.”
“Hey,” Elijah says, looking up at him.
Are they printing offGQmodels at the Amazon warehouse or something? Becausewoof.
This is one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen.
Aside from…
“Is this the infamous woman who dropped our boy to his knees?” he asks as his soft green eyes scan over my body, sending a welcome shiver down my spine.
“Itis,” Elijah responds proudly.
“I’m Sophia.” I offer my hand. “Elijah’stutor.”
“Oh, trust me. I know exactly who you are.” He smirks at Elijah before taking my extended hand.Weird…“I’m Noah.” I find it hard to contain my flustered expression as I stare at a face that screamssit on me. Apparently, I’ve forgotten how to act around someone attractive.
“Don’t get any ideas, Sunflower. He’s adumb jocktoo.” Elijah folds his arms over his chest.
Busted.
“I’m not allowed to introduce myself to your friends without you assuming I want to sleep with them?” I ask, mirroring his position. His gaze flicks down momentarily, then slowly climbs back to mine. “Besides—I bet he knows what to do with his hands.” My lip quirks upwards, and Elijah’s jaw ticks.
“If any dumb jock’s hands are going to be on you, they’re gonna be mine,” he says firmly while pointing at his muscular chest, and a flood of heat rushes south.
