Page 102 of The Secret We Keep
“Don’t give me that look,” he declares.
I look up. “What look?”
He waggles his fingers between my eyes. “That look.”
I frown.
“The one where you’re wondering how a man who does my job and works with blood and injury, can struggle to pick up dog shit.”
He reads me so well.
“No,” I fib, licking my lips and turning away from him. “But it is stupid—”
I’m swiftly dragged back to face him, and he steps closer, still holding my hand. “Calling me stupid, curly fries?” Heat radiates off his chest.
Pressing a hand flat to the solid wall of muscle to steady myself, I look up at him from beneath my lashes, taking in his beauty. “I think today’s going to be a good day for you, Paddy. I can feel it.”
Lord knows he deserves it.
Away from listening ears, Paddy lets out a sigh, lowering his head. “I hope so, curly fries. Working with my old man is good fun, but I need to get back to it.”
“I know you do,” I say gently, feeling his heartbeat accelerate under my fingers.
Paddy presses a soft kiss to my head.
I can’t stop myself leaning into it. Closing my eyes, I take in the smell of cars and something unplaceable and wild coming off him. It’s like cold air and clean metal. Precise and untouchable.
We stay like this until he’s pulling back like he always does. Not looking at me, he clears his throat. “I forgot to say, tonight I’d like you to come to the game.”
I manage to smile like nothing cracked inside me, but it definitely did. “I’m finally allowed to come watch you play?” I keep my tone breezy, a skill I’ve learned when talking to Paddy.
He nods, tucking his hands in his pockets.
“That’s another big step for you. Don’t run before you can walk, big shot.”
He tilts his head. “Big shot? The onlybigthing around here are your nipples.” His eyes flick down. “What a day to choose not to wear a bra.”
I look down and sure enough, you can see my nipples pushing through my jumper. “Stop looking at my boobs.” I swat his arm, biting my lip, cursing myself under my breath. I keep flirting with him, and him with me, but I feel like I’m setting myself up to get hurt.
He laughs, having to work hard not to look at my chest again. “It’s a semi-final match. Would be good to have some real fans cheering me on. Jake’s coming too.”
I like seeing his face light up the way it does. “You make it sound like you’re about to enter the Premier League.”
His shoulders raise. “We both know the Stoney Grange Gladiators have got what it takes.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing. Who on earth came up with that name? “I don’t, actually. I’ve never seen them play.”
“Well then, tonight’s your lucky night, curly fries.”
He winks just as Evie appears at the door. “Let’s go on the long route through the graveyard,” she declares.
Paddy gives her a nod before smiling down at me. “I’ll just grab my coat.”
Paddy: All booked?
Yep. Two weeks from today. Any chance we can squeeze in a few more lessons? I want to make sure my reverse parking is perfect
Paddy: You are perfect at it already
