Page 35 of Play For Keeps

“I let her chase it with a scoop of ice cream,” I chuckle. “Sorry about that.”

Everly laughs and then goes up on her toes and hugs me. For a second, I foolishly thought she was going to kiss me. Wishful thinking. I hold her body to mine for as long as I can until I have to let her go.

I know it sounds insane, but I’ve never been as happy as I am when I’m with Everly and her daughter. And if being Everly’s friend is the only way I get to be a part of their world, I’ll have to accept that. But I sure as hell am going to try soon for something more.

I like a challenge.

TWELVE

GET IT TOGETHER. IT’S JUST DINNER

Jake

“Then cancel your plans” Tucker says on the other end of the phone as I race around my room trying to find the right shirt to wear.

“I’m not cancelling my plans.”

He groans. “What’s more important than the Yankees?”

“I can give you a list.” I put him on speaker and throw my phone on my bed then take off my dark-blue T-shirt and toss it onto the growing pile of discarded shirts. What do you wear when you want to impress a girl? Everything I put on looks like I’m trying too hard, which I am, but she’s not supposed to know that. I pull a light-gray one on instead, shaking my head at how wound up I am about tonight.

Normally I’d be all over beers and a game at Tuck and Holden’s place. But tonight, I’m having dinner with Everly and Birdie. And I’m fucking excited about it. And nervous. “I gotta go. Have a beer for me tonight.”

“Hold up, Jakey,” Tuck gets in before I hang up the call. “What’s going on tonight? You gotta date with beach girl? Please tell me you finally found your balls.”

“Not exactly a date, but close enough. I’m having dinner at her house with her and her daughter.”

“Shit, man,” Tucker says. “That’s a big fucking deal. You ready to hang with her kid?”

“Birdie is cool, I like hanging out with them. It’s not a big deal,” I say, not sure if I’m trying to convince Tuck or myself.

“So, it doesn’t scare you… that she has a kid?”

It’s a fair question. Not long ago, it probably would have scared me. But after the night at the hospital and breakfast the next morning, I can confidently answer it without hesitation.

“Not for a second.”

I do realize that Everly having a kid makes things much more complicated. If things between us didn’t work out, we’d have to be very careful with Birdie’s feelings. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, Everly is still keeping me firmly in the friend’s zone. If she would just let me in, I think we’d have a shot at something good.

“All right then,” Tuck says. “I’m here for ya. Always will be.”

“Thanks, man. I gotta run,” I tell him, then end the call.

I swipe some molding clay through my hair and brush my teeth. After one last check in the mirror, I grab my keys from the hook by the door and head out to my truck. Ten minutes later, I’m standing outside of Everly’s door with a small bouquet of flowers and a stuffed cat for Birdie that I found in a bin of stuffed animals near the till at the flower shop. I’m about to knock on their door when the door flies open. Birdie greets me with a smile as wide as a four-lane highway, her left arm in her hot-pink cast.

“He’s here!”

“Birdie Marie. What have I told you about opening the door without me?” Everly appears in the hallway, wiping her hands on a tea towel. She smiles when she notices the flowers in my hand.

“These are for you. I hope you like daisies,” I say to Everly, handing her the bouquet before turning to Birdie. “And this is for you, the bravest patient I know.”

“A cat stuffy, Mommy! Jake brought me a cat stuffy!” Birdie says, holding the stuffed animal out for Everly to see. Then she pulls the cat into her chest and squeezes it. “Thank you, Jake. I love it.”

Everly’s eyes are on me. Weeks of seeing those light hazel eyes and nothing has changed… they still do crazy things to my pulse. A wave of heat creeps up my spine. I normally don’t really feel things, but Everly is proving to be the exception to that rule.

My eyes trail down Everly’s body as she walks towards the door, taking in her toned legs and slim waist. She’s wearing a short, floral-printed skirt with a cropped, fitted T-shirt that reveals the smooth skin of her abdomen. Her chest looks fucking perfect too. My cock twitches in my shorts.

“Come inside.” Birdie grabs my hand, pulling me inside as Everly smiles and closes the door behind us. I follow her to the kitchen, where she carefully places the stuffed cat I gave her on a stool.

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