Page 24 of Play For Keeps

Everly’s eyes widen, and I immediately realize what I’ve done. I’m such an idiot. I wish I could take it back, but it’s too late for that, so I do what feels like the next best thing. “Shit… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

She drops her gaze down to her hands then back to me, exhaling a long breath. “Jake, you just showed more interest in Birdie than her own dad ever has. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

Her honesty leaves me speechless. I stay silent, waiting like a tightly coiled spring to see if she’ll tell me anything more about her ex. But she doesn’t. He seems to be a topic Everly does not want to discuss, and probably for good reason. Based on what little I’ve heard so far, the guy sounds like a total asshole. I get the feeling there is a lot to that story, but I leave it, letting Everly set the pace. There probably isn’t a point in getting into any of it now anyways. Everly is keeping me securely in the friend zone, but I’m still hoping she’ll change her mind about that.

“Besides,” she goes on. “Birdie would think that was the best day ever.”

I smile, surprised at how happy it makes me to think that maybe I made a good impression on Birdie. “She’s a cute kid.” I trace the corner of my napkin with my finger. “And I really like hanging out with her mom.”

Everly swallows. “I like you, too.”

My body hums at her response, and the air in the diner suddenly feels charged with electricity. Everly usually has her guard up around me but for the first time it feels like she’s built up the courage to be vulnerable.

“Tell me more about you,” she says, just as our server returns with our orders.

I steal a pickle from her plate, grinning. “What do you wanna know?”

“Tell me about your family… where did you grow up? Do you have any siblings?”

I guess I should have seen the questions coming, but they hit me like a brick. My heart drops to my feet, like it always does when I’m asked about my family.

I clear my throat. “I grew up in Mayberry, not too far away. But I moved to Reed Point with my sister, Sierra, when I was 12. Just down on Haven Harbor.” I think about telling Everly more, but my throat tightens. I’m shit at sharing my feelings period, but talking about the night my parents died… I just don’t do it. I can’t.

“How about you?” I ask, shifting the conversation away from me.

“I grew up in Reed Point with my parents and my brother, Adam, then moved to Brookmont for college. My parents are your quintessential working-class couple, married for almost 40 years, still living in the same house I grew up in. Adam lives in California with his wife and two kids.”

“What brought him to California?”

“Love, I guess? He’s a pilot and met his wife on one of his layovers. She’s from San Diego and when things got serious, he moved there to be closer to her. They got married two years later and the rest is history,” she says, plucking a French fry from her plate. “His wife is the sweetest. She’s the best thing to happen to my brother. He was a bit of a serial dater before he met her. We see each other once or twice a year when they come for a visit, but it’s never enough. His daughters are close in age to Birdie, the three of them have the best time together. They always put on these elaborate dances, it’s so cute. Oh! Speaking of… my mom sent me a video tonight and I haven’t had a second yet to watch it.” She pulls her phone from her bag. “It’s of Birdie dancing tonight in her showcase.”

She pulls up the video, and I smile at the way her face brightens. “Tell me this isn’t the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen,” she says with her heart in her eyes.

I expect her to just turn the screen to me but instead, she stands and comes to sit beside me, holding her phone in front of us. I can smell the citrusy scent of her, feel the warmth of her skin. I have to force myself to focus on the screen.

She hits play on the video of Birdie in a dance class. The camera is zoomed in on her, and she’s beaming, dressed in pink from head to toe. I don’t have to look at Everly to know that she’s smiling.

“I may be biased, Ev, but she’s the best one in the room,” I say, watching Birdie twirl and jump.

“She loves it.”

“Was this tonight while you were at work?”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “First one I’ve ever missed.”

I steal a glance at Everly and see the sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry you missed her dance,” I say, placing my hand on her arm, touching her for the very first time tonight. Her skin is soft and warm, and it makes me want to keep my hand there for as long as I can.

She turns to face me, and we both freeze, her green eyes gazing back at me through long, dark lashes. My heart thunders inside of my chest like a freight train. Her eyes drop down to my hand on her arm, and I feel her tense, but I leave it there, squeezing ever so softly. My eyes drop down to her lips, watching them part just slightly, and I wonder what would happen if I kissed her. Would she kiss me back?

Everything in me wants to find out. My heart stutters. My pulse sprints. Another second and my lips could be on hers.

“How’s everything here? Can I get you two anything else?”

The waitress appears out of nowhere, and Everly pulls her arm into her side. She slides off the bench and stands, returning to her side of the booth.

“I think we’re fine for now, thanks,” I say, drawing in a breath, trying to regain my composure, but I’m drowning. Being that close to kissing Everly and missing the opportunity feels like the biggest let-down.

I’ve never been this nervous around a woman before. Would Everly have kissed me back? If I do make a move, will I scare her away? Or will she flat-out reject me? The not knowing and trying to play it cool is going to kill me.

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