Page 106 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“Yay, you came! Eat lunch with us.”

I smiled down at her sweet face, and my heart let go of some of the hurt. “That sounds wonderful, and you can pick where we eat.”

Sophie called her to get into position.

“Coming!” She squeezed my hand and ran back onto the field.

I stared at her, then turned to Connor. “You don’t play fair.”

He grinned. “When it comes to you, I don’t give a fuck about playing fair.”

The game went by in a blur. Connor stayed close, and my mind raced from one thought to the next. During the game, Elodie went from running after the ball to dancing around and talking with the little girl from the other team who stood next to her.

Connor shook his head. “I don’t think she’s cut out for competitive sports.”

I watched her hug the opposing player. “Probably not.”

After the game, we walked over to Laurel and Sebastian.

Connor took hold of my elbow. “Isabella is coming to lunch with us. You guys are welcome.”

I blushed and looked up at the sky.

Laurel smiled. “Thanks for the offer, but the twins need to get home.” She turned to me. “I’ll see you at the house later. Or not.”

Before I could reply, Elodie came up and grabbed my other hand. “Bye, Coach!” She waved at Sebastian and we took off.

Connor looked down at her. “You seemed to enjoy yourself out there. Where do you want to eat lunch?”

“Just home.”

I stared at her, panicking a little. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat out? It’s your pick, and we could even do McDonalds.”

Elodie shook her head. “Nah. Let’s go home.”

Connor grinned. “Good choice, El. Home it is.”

My leg bounced and my thoughts churned on the drive to Connor’s house. We walked into his kitchen together, just likewe had a hundred times before. I was quiet as I tried to figure out the best way to extract myself after lunch.

Elodie ran to her room and changed out of her soccer clothes while I stood awkwardly in the kitchen with my arms folded.

Connor stuck his head in the fridge. “We have leftover chicken pasta, sandwich stuff, or a frozen mac and cheese casserole we can heat up. What sounds good?”

I shrugged. “I don’t care. I think Elodie would like the mac and cheese best.”

He nodded and stuck the casserole into the microwave. Then he leaned against the counter and watched me. “Are you and Titus talking again?”

“Barely. He’s still on my shitlist.”

Connor nodded. He pulled off the counter and walked toward me. I backed up quickly and hit the oven.

Smiling, he leaned into me. “Are you nervous?”

“No, of course not,” I lied. Hell yes, I was nervous.

“You’re lying. What do you need, sweet girl?” he asked softly in my ear.

Swallowing, I shifted nervously against him. “I need space. You’re smashing me.”

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