Page 42 of Make the Play

I lift my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. No touching.”

“Two. No kissing. At all.”

I make ahmmsound, like I’m considering it. “What if a photo booth presents itself?”

Her nostrils flare.

“Fine. No kissing.”

“Three. This istemporary.If I want out, I’m out.”

That one stings, but I don’t let it show.

Instead, I nod once. “Deal.”

Her shoulders rise with a pained breath, and for a split second, I catch something in her expression. Hesitation, but maybe something else too. Like maybe she knows, just like I do, that this won’t be easy. Not because it’s the worst idea ever, but maybe because it’s the best.

Then, just as quickly, she shakes it off. “I’ll get in touch with John about the NDA in the morning.”

I grin, leaning a little closer, just to see if she’ll flinch.

“You’re really making this all professional and official, huh?”

She doesn’t blink. “Unlike you, I take my job seriously.”

God, I love pissing her off.

I tilt my head, studying her. “So that’s it? Just some rules and a handshake?”

“Yes.”

I let my grin stretch just enough to make her wary. “No contract-signing ceremony? No official initiation? No…” I pause, watching her closely. “Kiss to seal the deal?”

Zoe actually recoils. “Pardon?”

I shrug with casual indifference, even as something hot and reckless bubbles inside me. “Just seems like a missed opportunity.”

Her jaw clenches. “You’re out of your goddamn mind.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“Because”—I lean in and lower my voice—“if you had just agreed to date me for real, you’d be pressed up against that wall over there while I kiss you senseless.”

Her eyes widen for a beat, and I drink it in, humming thoughtfully as my gaze drops to her mouth. A flash of pink, the way her lips press into a tight, irritated line. Ishouldn’tpush it.

I push it.

“We might as well make sure it looks convincing,” I add smoothly. “Consider it optics.”

Zoe glares daggers, and her fingers tighten around her cue stick like she’s considering shoving it through my chest.

“Rule two. No fucking kissing, Walton.”

“Just interesting, that’s all.”

She sighs. “Interesting how?”

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