Page 31 of Lucky
“I have every confidence in the world in Lucky,” Mila says.“Besides… he does have luck on his side.”
“She came to the game tonight.I invited her to Mario’s, but she declined,” I admit, hoping that didn’t sound pathetic.Because truly… it doesn’t bother me.
Much.
“When are you going out again?”Mila asks.
“Not sure,” I reply, grabbing a fry from the center basket.
“What are you waiting for?”She frowns.I seem to be getting that a lot tonight.“You know she’s dating other guys.You better get on that.”
Fuck… she’s right.Winnie canceled something tonight to come to the game and the weekend is here.I’m heading to Dallas tomorrow afternoon and she’ll be free to conduct her experiment while I can only hope to watch from TikTok.
“Getting on it,” I mutter as I dig into my back pocket for my phone.The screen glows as I type out a quick message:I’m craving pancakes.Any interest in grabbing some with me in the morning?
My thumb hovers a beat, then I hit send.
“What was the pitch?”Penn asks.
“Breakfast tomorrow,” I say, setting the phone face down.“It’s really the only time I’ve got before we fly out.”
Atlas nods, tapping his knuckles on the table.“Solid move.”
“If that date goes well, you better bring her around soon,” Mazzy says, eyebrow hiked in warning.“The girls will want to adopt her.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing,” Foster grumbles, sipping from his glass.
“It is,” Mila replies, elbowing him with a playful glare.“Welcoming committee has snacks and wine.”
“Don’t forget matching pajamas,” Mazzy adds with mock seriousness.“It’s practically a requirement.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.I didn’t expect this—any of it.Not the reaction from my friends.Not the way Winnie has gotten into my head.Not the scary possibility that maybe this isn’t just an experiment for her.
They keep talking, the banter rolling, and I sip at my beer, letting the friendship wash over me.This team—it’s everything I never knew I needed.It’s never been like this on other teams and I’m guessing it’s my biggest stroke of luck yet.
But that girl?That sharp, funny, beautiful woman with the hypercritical rabbit and the overthinking heart?
She might be something more.
My phone buzzes in my hand and I know it’s her before I even glance down.What time?
My mouth kicks up into a grin.Tomorrow just got better.
CHAPTER 11
Winnie
I’m right ontime and this almost never happens.Buttermilk threw up a carrot after overindulging and then I spent way too long debating what to wear before landing on a navy wrap dress with white sneakers and a denim jacket.Admittedly, I took a little longer with my hair, putting beach waves in it, and okay… more makeup than I normally wear at school but far less than a full beat.
Casual.Cute.Like I didn’t try too hard, even though I absolutely did.
I pull into the lot of the little diner Lucky picked—Griddle & Grind—and spot his blacked-out Tahoe.Of course he beat me here.He offered to pick me up, but after a few more texts last night, I knew his time today was limited since the team is flying to Dallas this afternoon, and I insisted I meet him here.
Inside, the place is the perfect mix of cozy and classic.Booths with cracked red vinyl seats, coffee pots clinking behind the counter, and the smell of bacon thick enough to bottle.I spot him right away, already seated in a booth at the back, nursing a coffee and scrolling through his phone.
He looks up the second I approach, his smile instant.Warm and easy, like we do this all the time.
“Hey,” he says, standing to greet me, eyes moving down my body and back up again.“You look beautiful.”
