Page 7 of One Night Collision

"Ehhh, but I'm also sure I'd like to see you again."

Her eyes dropped from mine, seeming to be focused on the buttons of my shirt. "I think I'd like that too," she whispered.

"Good. That's real good, Mags." I tilted her chin up. "Can I kiss you?"

She blew out a laugh. "You're one of the first men to ever actually ask if they can kiss me. Who are you?"

"I'm a lawyer."

Her laughter was so hard she bent at the waist slightly. "Yeah, I guess that does make sense. I promise I won't sue you, counselor."

"Glad to hear it." With those words, I dipped my head and leaned in, taking her lips in the kiss I've wanted all fucking night long.

"Get your head in the game, Damien," Cody grumbles as he throws the basketball at me, but I don't catch it. Instead, it bounces over toward the edge of the court. "What the fuck is going on with you, man?"

"Sorry, I'm tired. I went out last night."

Troy makes a noise in between his teeth. "With Maggie? Heard Lizzie talking about it this morning. Must've been a good date if she was talking about it first thing on the group chat in voice messages."

Good God almighty. These are married men. "What I want to know is why you're paying attention to it."

Cody laughs. "Because he's just like me. He's stuck listening to the goddamn group chat every morning and night. The ladies are so far up each others' asses..."

"They're sisters," I remind him.

"Nosy as fuck sisters," they both say at the same time.

"Just you wait, motherfucker." Cody wags his finger in front of my face. "You're gonna not be able to get away from the group chat either, and the only thing I'm gonna say is 'I love to see it.'" He palms the ball in between his hands. "Now can we check up, please? Some of us count on the weekly game to keep in shape."

"And some of us rely on our wives for that, but you do you, bro." Troy says those words under his breath.

God, I hope I don't end up like these two. Pussy-whipped and bitching just to hear myself talk. Then I look at them and realize how happy they look. Maybe I can only hope to be as lucky. But I guess we'll see.

Chapter

Six

Maggie

I can’t make myself get out of bed. I’ve tried, but I just can’t. The floral business requires a significant amount of prep work before opening each day; sleeping in is a luxury that I don’t get very often. But I am my own boss and I’ll trade lazy mornings for that any day of the week.

Stretching, I roll over and grab my phone from the nightstand.I am absolutely not checking to see if there’s a text from him.

Even as I tell myself that, I know it’s a lie. I’m so looking for a text. I’m pathetic. It’s not like I haven’t been on dates since my divorce. Not many, certainly. But a few. And none of them had been particularly exciting or prompted a second or third date. Maybe I just wasn’t ready. Or maybe there’s something special about Damien. That thought is wonderful and terrifying all at the same time.

I haven’t felt connected to or invested in a guy in so long. But that brings with it all the insecurities. What if he doesn’t like me? What if I’m way more into him than he is into me? What if I only like him because deep down I know he’s “my type” and is just an asshole that puts on a good show? Just like my ex.

“Get your shit together, Maggie,” I say, sitting up in the bed and reaching for my glasses. I put them on and then press my thumb to the sensor to open my phone. The little red circle with a number one on it is taunting me. Part of me wants to check to see if it’s him and another part of me doesn’t.

I’m annoying my own damn self at the moment. I tap the icon and the messages open up. And it’s him.

D: Dragging ass today, but it was worth it.

It’s simple. Funny in that dry, snarky way he has about him. I think about it for a minute, then swipe my response quickly.

M: Hope you’re not doing any super important lawyerly things for clients then. I’d hate for them to pay your exorbitant hourly rate for dragging-ass.

I get up and make my way to the kitchen. I need coffee. I flip the switch and listen to that beautiful sound. With the promise of much needed caffeine in my immediate future, I drop a bagel from Sally’s into the toaster. It’s my go-to breakfast because it’s easy but also because those are damned good bagels..

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