Page 15 of Tempting the Player
“You looklike you stepped out of a fitness fashion advertisement.” Violet sits at the chair in front of my desk as she eats a cup of noodles during our lunch break.
Dahlia is standing in the doorway of my room with a putter in hand. She has a golf mat in the hallway and has been practicing nonstop. The next two months she has a bunch of really important tournaments, and she is ultra-focused.
We’re only missing Daisy. She and her boyfriend Jordan are in her room studying.Studying. Loudly.
I smile at my reflection in the mirror, turning side to side to check every angle. “But does it say, ‘I’m a serious runner but also interested in other physical pursuits with our clothes off?’”
My friends exchange a look and then burst out laughing. I wasn’t kidding, but okay, it’s a little funny.
“Please tell me that’s your opening line,” Vi says, laughing so hard she has tears in her dark brown eyes.
Dahlia shakes her head and lets out a small laugh. “I have to go. You look hot. Try not to pull a muscle.”
“Bye,” Vi and I call after her.
Moving to the bed, I flip open the shoebox and pull out the new sneakers.
“Those are cute,” my friend says.
“Thanks,” I say as I drop them to the floor and step into them. Companies have been sending me free stuff in hopes I’ll post about it on my newly exploding social media. Well not mine, Ivy’s.
I tie the shoelaces and then stand in front of the mirror again. I look like a runner. Maybe I should take it up for real. The outfits are cute.
“So, what is the plan exactly?” Vi asks.
“Wait for him to run by and then invite him to the party tomorrow night.”
“A party you invented this morning because you want an excuse to invite him over?”
“Not just for that reason. We’re overdue for a party anyway.”
“Fair enough.” She smirks, then does a slow sweep of my complete outfit. “And are you planning on actually running in that?”
“Why? Is something wrong with it?” I glance down at the gray running pants and matching sports bra.
“You look amazing, but one wrong bounce and your boobs are gonna fall out of that top.”
I jump in place. She’s not wrong. The fit is a little snug and the girls are fighting for freedom, but this shouldn’t take long.
“Well, then maybe this will go even faster than planned. He’ll be so distracted that he’ll immediately say yes.”
Vi laughs good-naturedly.
I glance at the time on my phone. “I better get out there. I don’t want to miss him.”
“Good luck,” she calls after me.
I force myself to walk slowly down the stairs, so I don’t mess up my hair. I pulled it back in a low ponytail, but I curled the ends.
The wind whips around me as I step out the front door. So much for my hair. I march in place to warm up my muscles and keep an eye out for Hendrick.
My teeth are chattering by the time he comes into sight, but a rush of adrenaline floods me with warmth. I begin to jog like I just stepped outside for a run, then I stop in the middle of the sidewalk where he won’t be able to avoid me. Looking straight ahead across the street, I pull one leg behind me to stretch my quad. I drop the stretch and stand tall when his footsteps on the pavement grow closer.
I smile, but say nothing as he slows down and then comes to a stop in front of me. I had a whole speech prepared but I can’t remember a single word as I take him in. Dark stubble along his jaw, red cheeks from the cold, T-shirt stretched along his muscular chest and arms. He pulls out one ear bud.
“Hey,” he says in a rush of air as he catches his breath.
“What are you doing?” I ask, then want to punch myself in the face. He’s running. Duh.
