Page 64 of A Whole New Trick

I hit the side button to ignore the call. I have zero interest in talking to the man who’s done nothing but stir animosity within our family unit lately.

I retake Morgan’s hand.

“Who was that?” she asks.

“No one. Let’s go back to talking about how bad you wanted me to be your boyfriend.”

“Oh my gosh.” She stares up at the patio roof and shakes her head. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“You absolutely should have.” I squeeze her fingers. “It’s been torture being around you these past few weeks, wanting to kiss you but thinking you weren’t interested.”

She scoffs. “Sure.”

“I’m serious, Morgan. You're all I've thought about from the moment I saw you in that office. I hated how tense things were between us.”

Her expression softens. “I wish you would’ve said something.”

“What would I have said? I thought you gave me a fake number.”

“About that.” She frowns. “Why in the world would you think that?”

“What do you mean?”

She waves her free hand over me. “You’re Dane Larson. A stupidly attractive, rich athlete. Why would you think I’d give you a fake number?”

I smirk at the compliment. “Tell me more about how hot you think I am.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m serious. You’re a catch. I don’t understand why you thought I wouldn’t give you my real number.”

“You’re acting like you aren’t a catch, too,” I counter with a pointed look.

“I’m not a rich athlete.”

“No, but you’re an intelligent, driven, and sexy-as-hell woman,” I declare. “Any guy would be lucky to be noticed by you, let alone get your number.”

She tilts her head to the side. “But you didn’t think you were that guy?”

“I thought I was.” I remember our kiss on the dance floor. “But when I realized you gave me the wrong number, I assumed I was mistaken.”

Unhappiness flickers over her features. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“So am I.” I run my thumb over her knuckles. “But I’m glad we got a second chance at this. And it’s not a chance I plan to let slip through my fingers.”

“Me either.” She smiles.

I smile back.

My phone rings again.

I grumble a curse at the interruption, expecting it to be my dad. My lips press into a hard line when I see Eli’s name instead.

“Sorry,” I tell Morgan. “I need to take this.”

“No problem.” She waves for me to answer and picks up her water.

I accept the call. “Hey man, let me call you back. I’m out with Morgan.”

“Sorry, bro. I wouldn’t call if it weren’t important.”

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