Page 96 of Empty Net

I kiss her again. “What do you say we go on another date?”

She smiles up at me. “Yeah, I think I’d like that.”

“When you said another date, I thought you meant like grabbing dinner or something.”

“We are getting dinner.”

Lilah rolls her eyes at me. “And that requires a ferry ride?”

“Do you want the best pizza of your life, or do you want adequate pizza?”

She huffs, tugging her jacket tighter around her. “The best pizza of my life sounds nice, but I wish I had known so I could have grabbed a warmer jacket. I’m in a skirt, for goodness’ sake.”

“A verysexyskirt, if I do say so.” I slide my hand over her ass that’s covered by a tight silky black skirt, her deep blue long-sleeved shirt tucked into it. I sling my arm around her, pulling her to me as she shivers. “Better?”

“Much.” She snuggles in closer, and I press a kiss to her head. “I know this is so silly because I grew up here and taking the ferry is just part of everyday transportation for many people, but Iloveferry rides.” It’s cute the way her eyes light up as she says it.

“Yeah? How come?”

She lifts her shoulders. “Maybe it’s because my parents always used a car service to take us wherever we wanted, and they forbade us from using public transportation. Or maybe it’s just how beautiful the scenery is. I don’t know. I just love it.”

“It is really nice out here.”

“Have you ever been out here when they’ve stopped for the whales? It’s so cool.”

“Can’t say that I have. Now I feel robbed.”

“You should. It’s a lot cheaper than an actual whale scouting tour, that’s for sure.” I laugh, and she pokes at my stomach. “What? Why are you laughing at me?”

“Nothing. I just find it funny that you’re…well,you, and you’re complaining about the price of a boat tour.”

“That’s how the rich stay rich, baby. Save money where they can.”

“You sound like Lawson.”

“Ew. Don’t compare me to him.”

“He’s not that bad.” She gives me an offended look, and I laugh again. “All right. Fine. Hecanbe that bad.”

“Poor Rory.”

“Now you sound like my mom.”

“Does she know Lawson? Or any of your teammates?”

“No, but I talk to her enough that it feels like she knows them.” I exhale heavily, thinking of my conversation with her just this morning. “Speaking of my mother…”

Lilah peers up at me, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

“It’s not bad. I, uh, I actually told her about us.”

“You did? What did she say?”

“Well, as expected, she laughed.”

Lilah sighs, relieved. “Good. I think. She thinks we’re nuts, doesn’t she?”

“Very much so.”

---