Page 45 of Text Me Baby One More Time

Shepard:That’s because I didn’t like them.

Denver:Oh. Okay.

Denver:Did I do something wrong?

Shepard:Not at all, Den.

Denver:Then why do I get the sense you’re mad at me?

Shepard:I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at me.

Denver:Wanna talk about it?

Shepard:Not tonight. I’m tired. Maybe later?

Denver:Yeah. Sure. I’ll talk to you later, I guess.

Shepard:I’m glad you had fun at your party last night.

Denver:Are you though?

Denver:Shep?

Denver:Okay. Good night.

Ten

Shepard

Don’t kiss her.Don’t kiss her. Do not fucking kiss her.

It’s the same thing that’s been on repeat in my mind since yesterday in the dress shop.

It’s the same thing I’m repeating now as she stands before me in a royal purple dress looking like sex wrapped in satin.

I loathe dressing up and rubbing elbows with people. It’s stuffy and all they do is gloat about how much money they have in their pockets and who they know.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a cocky bastard when it comes to being a baseball god, but the rest of that shit? The money, the fame? I don’t give two fucks.

I love baseball. Ineedbaseball.

That’s where the line is.

But this punishment my PR team and agent are making me endure?

It’s almost worth it to see Denny in this dress.

I want to shove her back into her apartment and rip the overpriced garment from her body and make her scream my name…finally.

Instead, I hand over the bouquet of flowers I’ve brought for her.

“What’s this?” She stares down at them, surprised.

“Flowers, for you.”

“Well…well, thank you. I think.” She runs her fingertips over one of the petals. “Come on in. I’m almost ready.”

I follow her inside, closing the door behind me as she makes her way into her small kitchen.

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