Page 34 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

She gaped in exaggerated outrage. “I don’t know what you’re implying here! I’m one hundred percent in the game.”

“Yeah, yeah, just play,” Evan said, crouched to Hunter’s right.

On Daisy’s other side, Waylen snatched up the ball, starting the play, and Daisy took off down the yard. Hunter backpedaled, keeping his eyes on her as she darted left, then right. He had to admit, she was quick, even in those ridiculous boots. Waylen, playing quarterback for their team, launched the ball in a perfect spiral.

Hunter saw it coming. He leaped, his fingers just grazing the ball as it sailed over his head. And Daisy snatched it out of the air with ease, spinning around to face him with a triumphant grin.

“Ohh! Another one for the dream team!” she called out, spiking the ball as she squared up against Hunter, the top of her head barely reaching his chin. “What’s the matter, Barrett? Can’t keep up with the pros?”

“As a reminder, we’re all Barretts here!” Waylen called from the distance, but they ignored him.

“Just warming up,Decker,” Hunter said, his eyes narrowing on hers. She wanted a challenge? So be it.

They returned to the line of scrimmage, Hunter crouching low beside his dad, who said, “Let’s show them how it’s done, son.”

The play began. Daisy came charging.

Hunter grinned, grounding himself to dodge. Waited for her to get closer and then?—

He slipped.

His boots slid against the grass as he and Daisy collided.

Daisy’s arms wrapped around his waist as they tumbled to the ground. His arms enveloped her, his palm pressing her closer as they rolled through the grass and landed with a soft thud, Daisy half on top of him, their faces mere inches apart.

Daisy stared down at him, her eyes wide with shock, and for a moment, everything else faded away. All he could see was her. The pink tint to her cheeks, her breath in the cold fall air, every fleck of gold in her blue eyes…or were they green? His heart hammered in his chest, and he found himself unable to look away.

“Kiss her!” Jude’s voice shattered the moment, loud and teasing.

Hunter shot his brother a scowl as Daisy stiffened in his arms.

He quickly loosened his grip, sliding out from under her.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his dad elbow Jude sharply.

“What?” he protested.

Hunter sat up, brushing the grass from his shirt, avoiding Daisy’s gaze as he helped her to her feet. Her fingers were soft against his palm, and he quickly stepped back, putting a healthy dose of air between them. What on earth had happened to his brain during all that?

He reached to pull a twig from her hair and stopped himself. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said with a shaky laugh.

“Let’s take a time-out,” his dad cut in. “I’m gonna grab us some drinks.”

Thank goodness.

“I’ll give you a hand,” Hunter called out, leaving Daisy with his brothers as he caught up at the door.

The kitchen was warm in comparison to the brisk fall afternoon. Hunter’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting from the window, and he found his dad pulling a variety of drinks from the fridge.

“Jude’s going to get himself in trouble someday if he doesn’t watch what he says.”

His dad chuckled over his shoulder. “Something tells me Daisy can take as much as she doles out.”

Hunter felt a wry smile slide across his face. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

His dad straightened, setting a handful of glasses on the counter. “She’s amazing, Hunt. I’m happy for you.”

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