Page 5 of Walkoff Wedding

I blanch, my nose wrinkling in distaste. “Absolutely not. You’ll have to drag my cold, dead body back into that place.”

His laugh echoes around us when he tosses his head back, exposing the strong column of his throat. “I like you, Addie with the Mary Janes. How come I’ve never seen you around before?”

Probably because guys like him don’t notice girls like me. The pitiful, invisible wallflowers who are exceptional at blending in and never being seen or heard. I’m self-aware enough to know that.

Instead of the truth, I shrug. “Not a party girl, remember? Outside of class, I don’t do much besides work. I’m the cliché quiet, studious loner girl. Maybe our paths have just never crossed.”

A brief pause hangs in the air before he speaks.

“I would’ve remembered a girl like you. Something tells me you’re not very easy to forget,” he murmurs, a reverent look shining in the depths of his blue eyes.

I can’t explain the strange sensation of familiarity that tugs in my gut as our gazes lock, but it feels like even though we’ve just met tonight… that I know him somehow. That sounds crazy, even to me, but still, the feeling remains.

“You’re ridiculously charming,” I laugh as I shake my head. “Has anyone ever told you that?”

He nods, grinning proudly. “Maybe once or twice. Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly beautiful?”

“Well, I me—” My words are cut off by my phone alarm sounding in the pocket of my cardigan.

Crap.

The clock has struck midnight, and my time is up.

I scramble off the ground as I fish the phone from my pocket, glancing down at the glowing screen showing the time.

Grant follows me to his feet, asking, “Where are you going?”

“Um, I have to go home. I’m so sorry. It was nice to meet you.” I fumble to shove my phone back into my pocket as I quickly walk toward the stairs. He follows behind, calling out my name, but I don’t slow my pace.

I spent the beginning of my night desperately wishing for midnight, and now, I find myself wishing for only a few more minutes with the stranger who made me smile. To hold on to this feeling for just a while longer. To pretend that this could be my life, even if only for a moment.

But I know that with midnight, reality comes rushing back. Girls like me don’t get guys like Grant. The charming, confident, carefree guy with the playful smile and bedroom eyes.

There’s no place for me in his world, and even if there was, my future is not my own. I don’t think it ever was.

“Addie, wait…” he calls from behind me on the top step of the deck. I glance over my shoulder at him when I make it to the back door, my fingers closing over the handle tightly. “I need to see you again. Give me your number, socials, anything. Please?”

I smile wistfully. “We’re all playing parts in lives that aren’t our own, Grant. Thank you… for tonight. Good night.”

With that, I quickly slide the door open and hurry back inside.

The clock struck midnight, and my carriage has officially turned back into a pumpkin.

chapter two

Grant

It’s a tale as old as time: Drunk people do dumb shit.

And drunk, horny college baseball players?

Yeah, well, we’re a whole different ball game, and that’s exactly why I’m currently back inside the party I never wanted to attend in the first place, trying to herd my teammates like a bunch of fucking cats.

It sounds exactly the way it’s going.

“For fuck’s sake, Guidry, will you stop trying to take your pants off,” I grunt as my fingers curl around the fabric at the back of his neck, yanking him toward me. “I sure as hell don’t want to see your pale ass, and I’m sure these ladies don’t want to either.”

Davis Guidry, our rookie pitcher, waggles his eyebrows suggestively to the group of girls who’ve gathered beside us and then blows them a kiss like they’re his personal fan club.

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