Page 98 of Playbook
“You must be Paige.”
“One and only.” She lifts a hand in a wave as she studies me closely. She seems to take in every detail from the hand I have resting on London’s back to the way her friend glances between us.
I smile at her. She has this hard-ass exterior that reminds me of London. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m glad to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“Do you all have plans? Some of the guys were talking about going to a friend’s house to hang. Just a few people.”
London laughs. “I don’t believe that for a second.”
“Fewer than usual.” I glide my hand around her waist and pull her against me.
“I wish.” Alec looks genuinely apologetic as he speaks to me. “I promised some buddies I’d meet up with them.”
“I need to get home too,” Paige says. “I have to be in Chandler at seven tomorrow for an estate sale. Too bad. I’ll have to grill you another time.” One corner of her mouth lifts, but I have a feeling she means it.
“Absolutely. I’ll be ready.”
“What about you?” I ask London.
“I should probably go too. I need to work in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” I really hoped we’d get to spend the night together again.
“Yeah.”
Her friends step away, giving us a little privacy. I circle both arms around her, pulling her against me.
“We don’t have to go to the party. You could just come to my house.”
Her smile makes my pulse kick up a notch. “That is tempting, but I have a feeling I’ll sleep more at my house.”
She’s not wrong there. But I’m still disappointed.
“We could just sleep.”
A soft laugh leaves her lips. “It’s okay. Go have fun. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
Reluctantly, I let her free. “What am I supposed to do until then?”
She laughs again, louder this time, like she thinks I’m kidding.
“Did you let London know about tonight?” Archer asks the next day as we get dressed after practice.
Today was brutal. Coach tacked on a mandatory film review later.
“No, we didn’t have plans.”
Archer’s brows lift and he can’t hide the surprised look that crosses his face.
“What?” I ask, sitting down on the bench and putting on my shoes.
“Nothing.” He goes back to staring into his locker like he thinks I’m going to let it go.
“Just say whatever it is you want to say.” I stand and grab my wallet and keys, then shut my locker.
I wait while he grabs his stuff too and we head out together. He doesn’t say anything until we’re walking out the back door to the parking lot.
