Page 58 of The Golden Goalie

“BA....before Adam. That’s going to be my new timeline,” I say with a smirk. He doesn’t return my smile.

“I just want to help, Amber. I want to be involved in your life, as much or as little as you’ll let me.” I stare at him, unsure what to say. He smiles softly. “I can see I’ve shocked you, which is frankly surprising because I haven't been subtle when it comes to you.”

I wrinkle my nose. “You’re interested in me?” I can’t wrap my head around what he’s saying.

His smile grows. “Yeah.” He tweaks my nose. “Have been for a while.”

I stare at him, trying to take this all in. “No, you’re not.” It's his turn for his eyes to widen. “I’m a mess, Rico. I’m not warm and gushy and emotional like Bri.”

“You’ve been plenty emotional lately,” he counteracts, and I scowl at him.

“That’s just pregnancy hormones.”

“Is it?” he asks with a smile.

Feeling cranky, I glare at him. “Yes. I’m not an emotional person. At all.”

He looks like he’s barely refraining from laughing. “Okay. Non-emotional. Got it. Anything else?”

“I’m not a warm person. I’m argumentative and strong and independent.”

“Okay.”

“And I don’t wear dresses and skirts and tons of makeup or heels...ever.”

He nods. “Got it.”

“And I’m not a sweet person. I’m difficult to deal with and say things how they are. I’ll always tell the truth over lying, even if it hurts your feelings.”

He smirks again. “If you’re trying to scare me off, it’s not working. I already know those things about you.”

I wait a beat and then bring up the biggest thing. “And I’m pregnant, Rico.”

“Yeah. Caught that.” I stare at him, waiting for him to say more. “What?” he asks.

“Doesn’t that bother you?”

He runs his eyes over my face. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Amber.”

“I have another man’s baby in my belly.” I throw up my hands in exasperation because he’s just not getting it.

He steps close and snags one of my hands. “That’s not going to push me away. None of those things are. You’re going to have to try harder than that to push me away.”

“Why?” I whisper. He’s standing so close.

“Because I’ve waited a long time for you to notice me the way I notice you. And everything you just said about yourself—the things you said to push me away? Those are the things that draw me to you.” His eyes drop to my lips just for an instant, and my breath stalls in my chest. “Now, if you say you’re not interested, I’ll back off. But if not, you’re going to need to come to terms with this thing between us. I'm a patient man, Amber. I'll wait until you come around.”

I stare at him and take a small step backwards. The old me would be kissing him by now, but the old me is the one who got herself into trouble. “Okay,” I say instead, taking another step backwards and putting space between us. If he’s disappointed, it doesn’t show on his face.

He stares down at me. “I’m not Adam, Amber.” I flinch at the sound of my ex’s name. “I can’t say I will never hurt you because I will. But if we commit to a relationship, I will never leave you on your own. I take my commitments seriously.”

“Are you talking about marriage?” I swallow.

He’s quiet for a moment. “I’m talking about whatever you’ll give me.” I take a breath, trying to take all this in. He reaches up and touches my cheek with his rough thumb. “I’ll give you time to take it all in.” He bends down so we’re eye to eye. “Will you at least give me a chance? Will you let us see where this thing goes between us?”

“I don’t know. You seem pretty serious if you’re talking about marriage.” I rub my belly self-consciously.

“I am, but I’ll give you time to get used to the idea.”

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