Page 49 of Quarterback Sneak
“You don’t ever go for a run or a jog?”
She eyes me over the chicken. “Does it look like I have a runner’s body?” She puts up a hand. “Nope, don’t answer that. I’m happy with my curves.” My phone dings with a text. “Okay, send that to your man.”
“He’s not my man.” But I open my phone and download the picture she sent me. It’s just a picture of my feet in the new sneakers. They look so good, I can’t help but smile. Without overthinking it, I send the picture to Zane.
Me-these shoes are amazing! Thank you!
Me-you shouldn’t have done that
Me-Tessa and I looked them up. They’re like a three hundred dollar pair of shoes!
Me-that's insane!
He texts back.
Zane-do you like them?
I bite my lip as I text.
Me-I love them!
Zane-good
Me-thank you
I pause a minute and then commit.
Me-Seriously, that was way too much. You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve been so good to me.
Zane-I got the muffins and granola bars for the mornings you don’t get a chance to eat.
I wait a minute to text him.
Me-why are you doing all this?
My phone rings, startling me. I look down at it and panic. “It’s him.”
“Zane?” Tessa asks.
“Yes.”
“Answer it,” she urges, eyes wide.
“What do I say?”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. In all fairness, I have. By the time I psych myself up to answer, it ends. Tessa smacks her hand against her forehead.
“What do I do?” I ask.
“Oh my word. Call the man back. He just dropped like four hundred dollars on you. I think the least you can do is answer the phone.”
Feeling appropriately chastised, I call him back before I give myself a chance to overthink it. As soon as he picks up, I blurt out, “I’m sorry. I panicked,”
His low chuckle sends a shiver through me, and I meet Tessa’s wide eyes. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I’m quiet a beat because I don’t know what to say. “Was it too much?” he asks in a voice that’s way too sexy for me. “Quint said I was going to scare you away.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I ask the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Why did you do it?”
“I think that should be obvious by now, Evie.” I hold my breath in the silence. “I’m interested in you, Evie, probablyway more than you’re ready for right now.” My wide eyes meet Tessa’s because I can’t believe he just said all that.
