Page 35 of Falling for the Quarterback

“Thank you for your time and consideration, Professor,” I say, my eyes pleading with Lottie to understand why I’ve asked this of her, begging her to see that I’ve done this for us both.

It’s my Hail Mary pass.

Let’s hope it’s enough to score and win the game.

* * *

Two Weeks Later

The grade popped up in my email inbox earlier this morning before I left for the morning practice. I waited to open it up and read it now as I walk across campus toward the field house.

Lottie gave me a B+.

I choke out a laugh loud enough to garner questionable looks from a few students around me in the quad. Although, they’re the ones who should get the weird looks since they’re all dressed up as alien creatures.

That’s right. I nearly forgot that today is Halloween and the girls are throwing a Halloween party at our house.

It’ll be great to see EJ and Killer, who are both back in town for a long overdue weekend visit. They even have tickets to tomorrow’s Bears football game.

But it will be even better if I can convince Lottie to be my date to the party.

I veer course and turn in the other direction, toward Cameron Hall and Professor Butler’s classroom.

Class begins in about ten minutes, so I have to book it if I want to get to her before she starts her seminar. The one I was a student in until two weeks ago.

My heart rate has sped up as I enter the building, rush-climb the stairs, and take a sharp left down the corridor. The doors to the room are open and there’s a handful of students milling around, but I barely notice them. I have one goal in mind and she’s at the front.

Lottie is next to the podium speaking with a classmate who always had a ton of questions during every session. She doesn’t see my approach until I am standing behind the other woman, who is yammering on about the European markets and her trip to Greece.

Lottie’s eyes grow wide and her forehead creases when she notices me. I give her my most charming smile.

The girl turns her head to see I’m standing behind her and seems to take the hint when I give her that look that says,wrap it up, lady.

“Oh, excuse me, Hendy. I was just asking Professor Butler a question. She’s all yours.”

I snicker at this because she has no idea how close to the truth that is. Or will be, I hope. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

When the woman moves out of earshot, I step in close. It catches Lottie by surprise, and she wobbles backward, but I catch her by the shoulders. Her eyes drift in alarm past my shoulder to the other students, and I shake my head.

“Let them see this.”

And then I frame her face in my hands and seal my mouth over hers, tasting her warmth. The kiss is deep as my tongue makes a wet sweep inside. Sparks race through my blood with an electric excitement I haven’t felt in weeks.

The feeling is short-lived, though, when a loud wolf whistle from the crowd carries down to where we stand, interrupting our kiss. Lottie jerks back, a palm pressed against my chest, and a surprised gasp is expelled from the lips I just tasted.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

I tilt my head to the side. “It’s not obvious?”

She stammers a few words in gibberish, shaking her head.

Then I take her hand in mine, pulling her to my side before I wrap an arm around her waist and tug her into me.

Addressing the class, which is now full of curious stares and censoring glances, I make my plan a reality.

“Many of you know me,” I begin, and there’s some applause and shouts across the room. “You know me as the Bears’ QB. You know me as the guy on campus with a bad reputation when it comes to dating.” More long whistles and a lot of snickers.

I take Lottie’s hand and bring it to my heart, my hand covering hers.

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