Page 58 of The Comeback

Charlotte

After I step outside the car, Weston wraps his arm around me and holds me close to his side. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

“Thank you.” I smile. “I don’t want you to forget about me while you’re gone.” The red dress hugs my curves as I take a step. At least the ones it covers. The fabric brushes the middle of my thighs.

“That could never happen.” He’s stiff against me, making my anxiety spike. I frown. His face is devoid of emotion, missing his usual happy-go-lucky expression.

My heart stumbles. “Is something wrong?”

He licks his lips and shakes his head. “No. Everything is fine.”

The smile he plasters on his face doesn’t reach his eyes, but he stops and encircles me with his arms around my waist. I rest my cheek on his chest. Stop borrowing trouble. He’s not looking forward to spending three weeks away from you any more than you’re looking forward to the time apart.

“Meeting you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He cocks his head, lifts his arm, and strokes his thumb over my cheekbone.

Tears spring to my eyes. “Me, too.”

His lips cover mine, but instead of his normal possessive embrace, this one is softer, as if he’s memorizing everything. I brace my hand on his shoulders, yearning for more, but his touch remains light.

He pulls back. “Let’s get something to eat.”

“Sure.” I nod and try not to frown. This feels a lot more like goodbye than let’s go home and knock the lamp off the table. Don’t read into things that aren’t there.

Once we’re seated at our table, and the waitress has taken our order, he rests his hand over mine. “How was today?”

“It was great.” I turn my hand over and lace my fingers through his.

He smiles. “Tell me more.”

See. Nothing’s wrong. We’re at a beautiful restaurant preparing for a delicious meal. And we’re together. Nothing else matters. “I have a new student. She’s adorable. Her mom brought her to the studio today. She’s a ball of energy and a natural athlete.”

His thumb brushes over my skin. “How old is she?”

“She’s five.” I bite my bottom lip. “Have you considered having children in the future?” Holy crap. Did I just ask that? As his finger stills on mine, my eyes dart around the room. Someone else had to have possessed my stupid mouth. “Forget I asked that.”

“No. It’s okay.” He pulls back and inhales. “Maybe someday, after my career is done. Right now, football must take center stage.”

“I see.” I nod. It’s fine. Don’t get all pouty. I’m in school. He’ll likely get a five-year contract and retire at that time. That will be perfect timing. We’ll both be ready to take that next step. So why does it feel like he’s just broken up with me? “I’ve not spent a lot of time considering it.”

Liar. Don’t check now. Your nose is probably a foot long. That’s all I’ve done since I was a kid. Planning my baby’s names. Granted, that was years ago, and I’m an adult now. It’s not like I was picking names earlier today.

“My dad died when I was in middle school. Not that he was around much before that. He passed in and out of our lives. My mom always knew where he was, but we didn’t. He moved all over with his job. That’s why stability is so important to me. I don’t want to have a family before everything is settled and my future is solid.”

“I understand. That makes sense.” I swipe my hands on my dress. Perfect. Now I’m going to have big wet blotches on my dress. “When my dad moved, we moved. I’m not saying I wish he would’ve moved without us, but I yearned to put down roots and stay in one place. That’s why it’s so important to me to have my kids raised in one place.”

Heat settles over my chest, making me feel stuck under a hairdryer. Quit bringing up kids. “I’m sorry. It’s like my mouth keeps popping out words. I don’t want it to.” I grab his hand. “I’m not pushing for us to take our relationship to the next level so soon. I realize we’ve just started dating, so please don’t freak out.”

“Charlotte….” He licks his lips and clears his throat.

My mouth dries, and my hand shakes on his. “Yes?”

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“You don’t think what is a good idea?” Please say having white wine with Italian.

“Us. It’s not a good idea. I can’t make promises of a future between us, and you deserve a man who can. As much as I’d like to, I can’t provide you with the stability you need. And right now, football must be my one and only priority.”

“I see.” Tears sting my eyes, and I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

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