Page 15 of The Way We Collide

“Nah.” She waves a hand. “I’ll stop at McDonald’s on the way out of town and grab a coffee and some breakfast.”

Damn, I hate that she’s leaving so soon. I can’t help thinking if things were different…

Clearing my throat and my mind, I motion to her dress looped over her arm and her silver heels hanging from her fingertip. “Is that all you brought?”

“And my phone.” She gestures to the thin terry-cloth slippers on her feet. “I think it’s okay if I keep these?”

“I’m pretty sure they throw them away once they’re used.” I hold the door, leaving theDo Not Disturbhanger out, so housekeeping doesn’t try and get in here while I’m gone.

We don’t say much on the drive to my family’s home, but it’s a comfortable silence. My mind filters through everything we talked about over the last twenty-four hours. I think I’ve told her more about myself than any woman in my life, but I decide not to read too much into it.

Raven’s easy to talk to, and we had an instant connection—probably because from the start, we knew it had an end date.

Still it feels like too soon we’re pulling up at the house, andwhen we stop in the driveway, I hustle around to hold the door for her.

“Such a gentleman.” She gives me a wink.

“Not always.” I give her my naughty grin, and her ears turn pink.Damn, I’ll miss doing that.

Once we’re inside, I wait as she goes to the stairs to collect her overnight bag. “I’ll change out of these clothes and leave them in the room for you. It’ll only take a minute.”

“Keep them. I like to think of you wearing my jersey.”

Her nose wrinkles, and she hesitates. “I don’t really watch football.”

“Maybe it’ll inspire you to start.”

Taking her bag from her hand, I walk with her out to the car. She changed out of the thin slippers and into a pair of Ugg ankle boots.

I hold the door of her car as she tosses her bag onto the passenger’s seat. When she turns and looks up at me with those big brown eyes, my stomach twists. My throat clogs, and I don’t say what I’m thinking.

We can’t keep in touch. We’re too far apart, and it’ll only make things awkward.

I remember when I was just starting to notice girls, my dad took me to the side and asked me how much I loved the game.

I said football was the only thing in the world, and he smiled that wise old smile, patting my shoulder. “As long as you feel that way, it’s best to keep things easy with the ladies. It’ll save you a lot of heartache.”

I live by that advice to this day.

“Well…” Raven pushes her hair off her shoulder, blinking up at me. “I had a really great time last night.”

“Me too.” I smile down at her pretty face. “If you’re ever in LA, and you’re looking for something to do…”

Her nose wrinkles. “If you’re ever in Atlanta and want to risk a second date…”

A wistful smile lifts my cheeks, and I nod. “I’d risk it for you.”

“Thanks, Hendrix.” She steps forward to give me a brief hug. “You’re really sweet.”

I huff a laugh. “Pretty sure I’ve never been accused of that.”

Stepping into her car, she grins. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Be careful out there chasing storms.”

She pulls the door closed, lowering the window. “Be careful out there getting hit in the head.”

That makes me groan. “It’s not all like that.”

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