Page 28 of Crazy Love

“Is nutrition your passion?” His eyes dip down to my lips and I nearly fan my face because I’m suddenly so hot.

“It is.” I gulp. Talking about “passion” when he’s looking at my mouth this way is challenging. I try to sound professional when I add, “I love finding healthy and inventive ways to helpathletes perform at their highest peak. To me, the food goes hand in hand with your workouts and practices.”

He grins like he can see right through me.

“I can get behind that,” he says. “Tonight, though, can we order a whole cheesecake and pay for the consequences later?” He puts his hands together and pleads.

I laugh. “Pretend I’m not even here.”

“Impossible,” he says softly.

We stare at each other for a long beat, his eyes drinking me in like they did in the Bahamas. My cheeks burn.

The rest of the table asks me more about my plans for the team and the evening flies by. The cheesecake is divine.

“The team’s lucky to have you, Adeline,” Henley says, leaning back, appraising me. “God, I miss playing.”

“You were such an exceptional player,” I tell him. “I really hated to see you get hurt.”

“Thank you.” He waves me off like it’s no big deal, but it’s obvious the sport means everything to him.

“I hope to make sure you guys feel your best,” I say. “I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but fueling your bodies the right way can make a huge difference.”

Elle bumps her shoulder into mine. “And if they don’t listen, you can whip them into shape.”

“That’s the plan.”

Weston points at Penn. “This means you can’t live on gas station snacks anymore.”

Penn groans and looks at me, shaking his head. “Don’t listen to him.” To Weston, he says, “Dude! Don’t be telling my secrets to the lady!”

Laughter erupts around the table and I can’t help but grin.

Torturing Penn Hudson sounds like a lot of fun.

When dinner is over, he hangs around. “Can I drive you home?”

Part of me wonders if that’s all he’s asking, but we chat all the way to my house and when he pulls up to my condo, he turns to look at me and smiles.

“I’m glad you stayed,” he says.

“Me too.”

The air between us is much lighter than it’s been, and I’m really glad I didn’t miss out on a chance to hang out with him.

“I’ll see you on Monday,” he says.

I nod, trying not to be too disappointed.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Night, Adeline.”

“Night.”

I put my hand on the door and he hops out on his side. “Hold up,” he says, jogging around to open my door.

My heart thuds against my rib cage and I stare up at him when I place my feet on the ground.

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