Page 32 of Stick With Me
I wish it didn’t mean anything, that we could chalk it up to a margarita-fueled mistake, but I’d be lying to myself if I said that was the case. I’m not ready to face the feelings it stirred up, yet they buzz beneath my skin, no matter how hard I try to brush them away.
A shiver runs down my spine, and my belly clenches. It’s the same reaction I have every time I think about that night, and I’ve thought about ita lot. His lips on mine. The roughness of his stubbled jaw beneath my hands. Our tongues meeting, sending electric zings through my body.
It was a fluke.
Yep, a fluke.
I place my hand over my pounding heart and take a deep breath.
Maybe Natalie was on to something all along. Could there really be something more between Ryan and me? The thought of falling for him both thrills and terrifies me.
If I’m honest, it’s not the first time the possibility has crossed my mind… and it started long before All-Star Weekend. It’s not something I can entertain, though. Look what happened the last time I did. I need to focus on getting my life together. I can’t throw everything away, again, for another hockey player.
But he’s not just another hockey player, that little voice in my head argues.
My phone pings from where it sits on a moving box.
Ryan:
I arranged for one of the interns to meet you at our place with your key. I also left the contact info for some movers on the counter, in case you need help unpacking when the boxes get here. I have the place stocked… I think. Let me know if anything is missing. I’m bummed I’ll be away when you get in. Make yourself at home. We’ll celebrate when I’m back.
His rambling reassures me that I’m not the only nervous one.
Me:
Thank you. I’m sure everything will go smoothly. Don’t worry.
Ryan:
I just hate that I won’t be there.
Me:
It’ll be fine, I promise. You just focus on winning your away games, and I’ll see you when you’re home.
Ryan:
Yeah, okay. I can’t wait to come home to you.
Me:
I’ll be waiting with bells on.
Ryan:
Now there’s a visual I can get behind.
That’s what he said lol… get it?
Me:
Have we reached the point in our friendship where making sex jokes is appropriate?
Ryan:
Oh baby, we’ve been there.
I run my hands down my denim shorts, trying to dry my sweaty palms, unable to stop myself from overanalyzing his words. We’ve always been playful with each other, but afterthe kiss, our banter has a much different effect. I thought I got this physical response to him under control years ago, but apparently, one kiss was all it took to short-circuit my brain.
