Page 45 of A Game Plan for Love

“Are you sad?” Nora asks, then adds more quietly, “Do you not like it?”

I crouch down to meet her eyes. They’re questioning and confused. “They’re happy tears,” I assure her. “I love it. Very much.”

“She spent all day yesterday working on it,” Addie says, standing behind her.

My throat dries at the sight of her—fucking stunning.

She’s wearing casual clothes today. A loose sage green linen top. Light wash jeans just tight enough that they curve her ass wonderfully. Her auburn hair is down in loose waves, and my fingers itch to run through the strands.

“It’s going right on my fridge when I get home,” I tell Nora.

Nora smiles widely and moves on to greet the rest of my friends.

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

Addie laughs as Nora begins to ask Deon about his favorite Disney movies.

“We ran into Nathalie at the grocery store yesterday. She invited us. I hope that’s okay.”

“Okay?” I step toward Addie until we’re sharing the same air. The rest of the world falls away. “This day just got so much better now that you and Nora are here.” I reach out to pull a piece of her hair. “I’ll take whatever time I can get with you.”

She blushes. “Are you flirting with me?”

“Is it working?”

“Maybe.”

Nora magically reappears at our side. “‘Maybe’ isn’t an answer,” she says. Exasperation slides over Addie’s face, and I bite my lip to prevent my laughter. “Can I meet Gordie? Deon said to ask you first because he’s a fluffy evil monster.”

I bark a laugh when Addie’s eyes bulge.

“Gordie is Deon’s cat. He loves everyone but Deon.” Addie looks to me like she’s handing off the decision-making to me. There’s something intimate about her deference, and my heart swells. “Be very, very gentle,” I say, “And listen to Nathalie.”

“Thank you!” Nora runs away and drags Deon and Nathalie into the house. Deon grumbles about his evilness the entire way and only stops when Nathalie swats him in the chest.

“She talks about you all the time,” Addie admits, her features softening. “She’s very fond of you.”

“And you?”

“What?”

“How do you feel?”

About me. About a potential us.

She gulps. “Fondness isn’t the only thing I feel when I look at you.”

I blink, and before I can dissect her words, she’s being pulled away by Sawyer and Maren. I start to follow, but Maren turns around and places a hand on my chest.

“Go away, Monroe. It’s girl time.”

“I’malwaysincluded in girl time,” I whine.

Addie cackles and looks over her shoulder as she’s dragged toward the chairs.

“That was before you brought a girl. Now you're banished. Go talk to your teammates.”

“I’ve brought women to things before,” I grumble, “and they’re boring.” I point at Henry and Jack, who are talking about landscaping.

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