Page 122 of A Little Crush
“If you could paint your future any way you wanted and had full control of every scenario,” she clarifies. “What would you want?”
I shouldn’t be surprised at how quickly she turned the table. How quickly she shifted the attention from her potential plans to move back to Lockwood Heights to me andmypotential plans. Yet here we are, talking about me instead of focusing on her. She’s choosing to play off my decisions, my wants and needs, before revealing her own. It’s a cautious move, but considering our history, I understand why. Tugging her back into me, I ask, “And I have full control of this five year plan? Whatever I want? I can be selfish and not think about anyone else?”
She nods. “Pretty sure that’s the definition of selfish, but yes.”
“Smart-ass,” I mutter, giving her an extra squeeze. “Let’s see. Iris moves to the opposite side of the world and gives me full custody of Poppy.”
“Harsh, but understandable,” Rory concedes, her tone thick with mirth. “What else?”
“Poppy’s allowed on the bench and never cries during the games or practices.”
“Oo, you’re shooting for the stars, aren’t ya?” She sits up a little more, clearly intrigued. “Go on.”
“The Lions give me a billion-dollar raise, and I’m able to have anyone on the team any time I want.”
Her body shakes with amusement. “Obviously.”
“And…” My pulse jumps as I stare down at the most beautiful woman tucked against me.
Say it, asshole. Tell her what you really want.
“And you’re there, too. In Lockwood Heights. At the games. Right next to me on the bench.”
“Not in the stands?”
“Too far,” I argue.
She tucks her chin, somehow curling into me even more. “Oh?”
“Yeah.” My arms tighten around her. “I want you right by my side, Rore. Cheering me on and squeezing my ass to distract me from whatever’s happening on the ice.”
Her nose scrunches in the most adorable way possible as she tries hiding her smile. “That’s kind of difficult if I’m all the way in Harden Heights.”
“True.” I sigh. “But I told you it was a selfish pipe dream, not necessarily a realistic one.”
“I mean, the possibility of getting a billion-dollar bonus is a little on the slim side.”
“Unfortunately.” I smile. “What about you? Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“Hmm.” Her attention falls to the ground. “Let’s see. Am I allowed to piggyback off yours?”
“I’ll allow it.”
“I kind of like the idea of Iris being on a different continent.” She grimaces, but I don’t miss the levity in her expression. “I also love the idea of you having free access to Poppy whenever you want, although I kind of like the way her bottom lip wobbles when she’s about to cry, and how I’m one of the only people who knows how to soothe her, so I think I’ll keep the prickliness.”
“You sound like Uncle Mack when he describes Aunt Kate.”
Rory grins up at me. “True, but it definitely fits your baby girl, too.”
“It does,” I agree. A familiar ache resurges in my chest at the reminder of Poppy’s absence, but I breathe past it, trying to focus on the here and now. “So far, I’m only hearing things about other people. Where do you see your future?”
“Well.” She taps her thumb against the back of my hand. “Since we’re talking selfish pipe dreams, I want my OCD to be obsolete. That would be nice.”
Selfish? The woman doesn’t have a selfish bone in her body. She hides it well, though. The effect her OCD has on her. But I know it isn’t easy. Battling her obsessive thoughts day in and day out. I can only imagine how much easier her life would be if they were silenced and she could live without them. Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to take it away. To carry the burden myself. If only it was so easy.
I kiss the top of her head. “What else?”
“You really want to know?”
