“You okay?” Will asked, moving closer to her.
She looked up at him, feeling the sting of tears, the tightening in her chest. “Yeah. Lucky for you, I lost my heartafteryou and Lexi got together because the way I’m feeling right now? Not so sure I would have told her to go for it. This is terrifying.”
Will put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “But worth it. Even when it’s hard.”
Like she sensed him, she turned to see Nick come through the door. Her heart beat madly in her chest, knocking against her rib cage in a frantic rhythm.
It was like he didn’t see anyone else in the room, only her; he beelined toward her, his gaze locked and intense. Her heartbeat had reached an unhealthy rhythm. Then he was there, standing in front of her like nothing else existed.
Nick pulled her up to her toes crushing her body against his. As he lowered his mouth to hers, the look in his eyes softened, becoming so tender, Maisie felt like she was unraveling. “I love you, too,” he whispered right before kissing any and all thought right out of her brain.
Maisie kissed him back with a desperation and happiness she didn’t know could co-exist.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested on hers. “Can we just go? I have to catch an early flight and I really want to be alone with you.”
Her brain was still muddled when she looked around for Lexi and Will. She saw they’d found a tall table and both of them grinned in her direction. Lexi waved and mouthedbye.
Laughing, Maisie turned back to Nick. “Yes. Let’s go.”
They had to figure some things out but knowing he felt the same poured water on the fire of fear that consumed her earlier. As long as he wanted her back the way she wanted him, nothing else mattered.
MAISIE FELTNICK GETout of the bed. Through blurry eyes, she saw it was five in the morning. Right. He was headed back to California with the team. He’d filled her in last night, telling her that he’d share the news with his team and make an official announcement intwo days. Today, he was meeting with his publicist, the team owner, other coaches, and management. He had things to wrap up.
So he can come back to you.
Nick leaned over, planed his hands on either side of her. “Hey,” he whispered into the early morning quiet.
She reached up, touched his face. “Hey.”
“I’m leaving my truck and the keys. You should drive it instead of your ticking time bomb.”
Maisie arched her brows. “Don’t talk trash about Junie. I love her.”
“Your Jeep is on its way out, babe.”
With a sassy grin and a haughty tip of her head, she held his stare. “You’re on your way out. My Jeep is staying right here with me.”
He laughed and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly. “I’ll be back in a few days. You know that, right?”
Her gut cramped with the realization of how much she’d miss him.It’s just a few days.“Of course. Your truck is here,” she teased, hoping it would make it easier for him to go.
His expression turned serious. “I’m coming back because my heart is here. I love you. I’ll call you tonight when I’m at my place.”
Maisie pulled him closer. “I love you, Nick. I promise I’ll be here waiting when you get back. Even if I’m not with you in California, I’m here if you need anything. If you want me to shuffle some things around, I can.”
“I appreciate that. More than you know, but it’ll be okay.”
She wouldn’t cry. It was a few days. Max. “Go,” she whispered. “So you can come back and I can stop missing you.”
He nodded. “See you soon.”
Then he was gone and Maisie closed her eyes, a few tears sneaking out as his words replayed in her head. He loved her. He’d see her soon. When he came back, it would prove that happily ever after wasn’t only for romance books and fairytales.
Chapter Thirty-One
SPORTS NEWS
January 3
