Page 3 of Love or Leave

"Are you here for golf lessons?" the instructor asked, with a look of disbelief in his eye.

She’d worn black yoga pants and a hoodie since it was a chilly night and she knew they'd be outside for almost an hour.

Apparently, that wasn't the correct choice.

"Yes," Cara said.

He narrowed his eyes and made a show of looking around her. "Where are your clubs?"

Cara's heart stopped.

Shit. She didn't want to admit she didn't own clubs.

"Sorry, I forgot them," she said, getting ready to turn around a book it out of the place.

The instructor stopped, rolled his eyes, and dropped the clipboard by his hip. "This is an advanced lesson. Are you sure you belong here?"

Advanced?Sweet fucking hell.

Panic sweat trickled down her neck and she wondered if she should admit she'd never played golf before. She couldn't remember seeing anything about the lesson being advanced. Why had she signed up in the middle of the night?

"I-"

"She can borrow mine."

Cara twisted toward the deep voice beside her and found a handsome man who was radiating the sort of confidence thatonly comes from being comfortable with your surroundings. He threw a bright smile at her, then a wink.

"Thanks," she said, trying to hold back her smile from taking over her face.

"Just stick with me," he said.

She took in his built frame and his dark, warm complexion.

Don't mind if I do.

"Fine," the instructor barked, interrupting her salacious thoughts. "Don't forget them again."

Cara nodded, and once the instructor went back to his speech, she turned and gave a mock wince to her savior. His smile doubled, then he turned and focused all his attention on the instructor. She started feeling pretty damn good about this whole golf thing.

After several torturous minutes of listening to golf jargon she didn't understand, the instructor beckoned everyone to follow him out the back door to the driving range.

Cara followed her saviour with the golf clubs and stepped through the door after he held it open for her. "I'm Jalen, by the way."

"Cara."

He smiled again. "Great to meet you."

She fell into pace beside him as they walked down the turfed path toward the driving stalls, passing the occasional space heater that blasted her with warmth. "Thanks again for saving me back there."

"No problem."

She glanced around, and when she was sure no one would overhear, she leaned toward Jalen to confess that this was her first time playing. Unfortunately, he spoke before she could.

"You should keep your clubs in your trunk. That way you won't forget them," he said, looking at her with a soft grin. "That's what I do."

Cara forced herself to keep a straight face, even though she wanted to laugh. "Right. Good tip. Thanks."

He stopped at two empty tees, placed his clubs between them, and pulled out a pair of gloves and a club with a bulky end.

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