Page 15 of The Wingman

There’s something serious in the way he’s looking at me, like he’s worried I’m making a big mistake.

It doesn’t feel like a mistake, though. It feels like my only option. I can’t go back to who I was before, letting someone take the reins on my life. Even now—hanging out at the bar with everyone, talking and laughing and not worrying that we’re staying out too late for Kit, who liked to go to bed early—I’m starting to feel like myself again.

Hayden’s worried I’ll get my heart broken, I bet. If I were to fall for someone, I’d lose myself all over again. I just know it. I’m not like Hazel or Pippa, who both have a strong sense of self. I’m still figuring myself out.

“Absolutely,” I tell him. “The probability of me falling for someone is zero. I’m not looking for anything serious.” I smile to show him I’m totally fine. “So when do we start? Now?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Not here, with everyone watching. Let’s go out tomorrow, just you and me.”

“And you’ll show me how to hit on guys?”

He taps his tongue to his top lip, features tight. “Yep.”

Excitement and nerves flutter through me. “Tomorrow, it is.”

CHAPTER 7

DARCY

“We could haveit at the Filthy Flamingo.” Hayden holds the front door open for me when we get home later.

I walk inside the apartment and my shoulder brushes his chest; he takes a sudden step back away from me, and I frown.

The first couple of times, I thought I was imagining things. Hayden’s a touchy-feely guy. Countless times over the years, he’s thrown his arm around me. He gives piggyback rides and ruffles my hair and never hesitates to wrap me in a big, warm bear hug.

But since I moved in, he doesn’t touch me. No more hugs, no throwing his arm around me. Tonight at the bar, he moved his arm before I could accidentally brush against him. And now, he’s backing away to give me space.

“Darce?”

He acts like my skin is made of spiders or something.

“Hmm?” I kick my shoes off.

“Your birthday, which I haven’t forgotten about, even though you changed the subject earlier.”

I sigh, but I’m smiling.

“What’s the hesitation?” He takes my jacket and hangs it for me. “The league is giving us a week off between theseason and the playoffs this year. It’s a new thing Ward pushed for.”

My lips part in surprise. “Wow. That’s awesome.” Players are usually exhausted by the time the season is over, and they head into playoffs tired and injured, not playing their best.

“We could do the party then, a few days after your birthday, once the regular season is over. And I don’t know about you,” Hayden says over his shoulder, striding into the open kitchen, “but I love any excuse for a party.”

“I’m well aware.” I twist my mouth into a grin.

“I’ve been called a party animal.” He pulls his water bottle out of the fridge and drains half, the strong line of his throat bobbing.

Maybe a big birthday party is exactly what I need. It’ll be like a deadline. I’ll have everything figured out by then.

Urgency and excitement spark inside me.

“Fine, what the hell?” I shoot him an indulgent smile. “Let’s do it.”

My eyes flick to the patio door and a laugh threatens to bubble up. I hid something out there earlier and I’ve been waiting all day for Hayden to get home and stumble upon it.

“Is the patio door locked?” I ask, feigning innocence. “I always get nervous about that kind of stuff.”

He snorts. “We’re on the twentieth floor. You think someone’s going to scale the building?” He makes a sympathetic teasing noise. “I’ll keep you safe from intruders, Darce.”

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