Page 39 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie
“Hmm,” I say, my mouth full. I swallow my food. “I’m suddenly hungry for yours.”
He shrugs and spears a piece of broccoli from my tray. “Yours is healthier anyway. I should be focusing on getting more protein instead of eating that breaded chicken with all that sugary sauce.”
“You’re killing my vibe over here.” I shove more chicken into my mouth, followed by fried rice.
He bumps his shoulder into mine. “I wouldn’t want to do that,” he rumbles in that deep voice of his.
A shiver chases down my spine. Now that I know how this guy can kiss, bury his hands in my hair, being only friends will be much harder.
Because a kiss like that stays with you forever. My eyes half close just remembering it.
“You really are in love.”
“What?” I screech a bit too forcefully.
His eyes twinkle. “With the chicken.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“You looked like you were having a moment with your food over there.”
“Sure.” Something like that.
Only, it’s not the food making me feel warm and gooey inside.
It’s him. The way his shoulder brushed mine. The way he smiled at me like I’m more than Nolan’s mom. But what if I’m the only one feeling this? What if that kiss meant more to me than it did to him?
He smiles again, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
Is it just me, or is his grumpiness fading?
TWELVE
LUCAS
After taking Anabelle home,my mind circles, like a dog chasing its tail. She says she wants to be friends, but I’m not sure I can handle that. Stealing my food should have annoyed me, but it amused me instead. And for the first time in a long time, I’ve been happy.
But I know it won’t last. Because good things disappear in my life. My dad? Gone. All my previous relationships? Ghosted. My dream career? Down the toilet. Why would this be any different?
When I went to bed that night, I tossed and turned. The woman tortured me all night. I should keep my distance, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t. It’s been two days, and I finally crack this morning after physical therapy.
Me:How about we go to that nice restaurant you were talking about?
Me:Only as friends, of course. You available tonight?
Anabelle:I’ll see if my mom can watch Nolan.
I refrain from pumping my fist into the air like my team scored.
Me:Great. I’ll pick you up for our non-date at six.
Hadley’s seems to be the place to take a woman in this town, and I haven’t been yet. True to my word, I pick her up on time.
When she opens the door, my breath is stolen from me.
She’s in a teal sleeveless dress with a full skirt that reminds me of something a 1960s housewife would vacuum the carpet in—in high heels, nonetheless, which she’s wearing. Her lips are bright pink again, and she’s wearing eyeliner.
Is it just me, or does she seem a bit dressy for a non-date? I shrug. Maybe she had an event earlier. Who says this is for me?
