Page 109 of Game Changer

I reach for her hand to squeeze it. “She wasn’t. She stumbled on some old social media posts about your broken engagement the day I told Percy to go to hell. When she saw how torn up I was yesterday, I told her about your last words to me.”

Her gaze wanders my face. I can tell she’s thinking about what she said. She finally nods. “I said that you’re both just as bad as TJ.”

Nodding, I step back to give her room to step away from the door. I have no idea which direction she wants to head. I’d guide her toward my apartment, but it’s not my call to make.

“TJ fucked my best friend,” she says. “She was supposed to be my maid of honor, but there was nothing honorable about either of them. They have a son now. Thaddeus the third.”

I’d ask how she feels about that, but it’s clear from the expression on her face. The roll of her eyes cements the fact that Thaddeus and the woman he cheated with are in her past.

“I was scared to feel anything for a man.” She glances at the sidewalk. “So I only had one-night stands. I didn’t have a lot, but when I needed to feel a man’s arms around me, I kept it casual.”

“I understand.”

As much as I hate the thought of her in bed with another man, I get the need she felt to engage in casual sex. It’s what I’ve been doing throughout my adult life.

“You scared me, Opal.”

She lets out a light laugh. It’s so quiet that I have to strain to hear it.

“You did,” I press.

“I scared you?” She taps the center of her chest. “How?”

“My life has always been predictable.” I glance to my left and spot an available taxi passing by. At another time, I’d flag it down, but it’s not my call to make. I want her to invite herself to my apartment or take me home to hers, but I won’t push for either.

“Your job seems very unpredictable,” she notes. “I can’t imagine that one day is ever a repeat of the one that came before it.”

“You’re right. My work is unpredictable,” I clarify. “My personal life was always predictable. I did what you did. I sought out women who I made sure understood that I only wanted one night.”

She squeezes her eyes shut as if she doesn’t want to conjure up a mental image of me naked with anyone else. I never intend for that to happen again, so she’s got nothing to worry about.

I lightly brush my hand over her shoulder. “Open your eyes.”

She does. “Was it enough for you? Were you satisfied with the one-night stands?”

“I was.” I nod. “Until you crashed into my life, and suddenly everything felt different. I was rocked off my axis. I thought about you constantly. You should have seen me the day I picked out that pill box for you.”

“You did that?” she questions. “Not one of the women you work with?”

“It was way too fucking important to hand off to anyone.” I laugh. “I took my time. Studied each one and ended up buying that one.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“So are the other ten I have wrapped at my place waiting for you to open.”

Her eyes widen as a smile glides over her lips. “You bought ten more?”

“Days after I saw how you reacted to that one,” I tell her. “I felt this profound sense of happiness knowing I’d given you something that lit up your face the way it did. Your smile is out of this world, Opal. It’s as if nothing else exists when you smile at me.”

She steps closer to where I’m standing. “When did you fall in love with me?”

“A lifetime ago.” I take a stuttered breath. “Maybe two lifetimes ago. It was always you for me. I didn’t know where to find you until you ran right into me in this exact spot.”

She glances at the ground before her eyes lock on mine. “It seems like the perfect spot to share our first forever kiss.”

I stare into her eyes, unsure if she said what I think she did. “Say that again.”

“Kiss me so we can have our first forever kiss right here in our spot.”

---