I chuckle. “Sounds fun. Wish I could come, but duty calls.” Although I’m pretty sure I’d call in sick if she asked me to. “Speaking of,” I say as we wait for the lift. “Did you watch the match last night?”
“No,” she shoots back quickly, her shoulders tensing. “I told you, I don’t really have time when I’m at work. Sometimes I can’t even eat a proper meal.”
“Okay. In that case, I’ll give you the play-by-play, as promised. Don’t worry.”
Her eyes crinkle into a smile. “Oh, I really wasn’t.”
The lift pings, and we step inside.
“What time are you starting today?” I ask, pressing the button for the garage level.
“I’m off. Starting tomorrow with an early shift.”
My heart kicks up a notch. “How about an early dinner, then? You can even pick the restaurant.”
She bites her lip, eyes dropping for a second before meeting mine again. “Sure. Yeah.”
I nod, trying to play it cool, even though I feel like I just won the Champions League. “Awesome. It’s a… um, plan.” I scratch the back of my neck. “Training will be slightly more tolerable knowing I’ll spend my evening with you.”
“Aren’t you a charmer,” she murmurs, stepping toward me.
And that’s all the signal I need.
I close the gap between us and press my mouth to hers, gently at first, testing if this is real, if she’ll let me. But she doesn’t pull back. Doesn’t hesitate. Her hands clutch the front of my jacket, and I deepen the kiss, unable to help myself. Her lips are soft, insistent, matching my energy beat for beat. It’s frantic in the best way, like we’re trying to make up for all the times we refused to go near each other.
Too soon, the lift pings, and the doors slide open.
“Well,” she says, exiting the lift while adjusting her tote on her shoulder, as if nothing happened. “Have a good training session. See you tonight.”
I flash a grin as we walk toward our cars. “Can’t wait.”
My performance at training won’t be something for the history books. At least, I hope not, because Finn might never let me live it down. I let more goals in than I blocked, which is definitely unusual for me.
Thankfully, it’s all behind me for now. Katherine and I just parked in a side street, the pavement awash beneath the glow of a streetlamp. She hasn’t revealed where we’re going yet, so I’m kind of expecting the worst.
We wander down the pavement side by side. Finally, she stops in front of a pub, and I do a double take.
“I didn’t pin you for a pub girl.”
“I’m not,” she says. “But they have the best food here. Trust me.”
She pushes the door open, and I follow after her. It’s charming and a lot more elegant than I imagined. Dim lighting, green leather booths, exposed brick walls, and the soft murmur of conversation underlaid with music playing at just the right volume.
We weave through the crowd to an empty booth near the window, and I slide in across from her.
A waiter swings by—a young guy with bleached hair, a pierced ear, and a warm smile. Kat orders the grilled chicken burger. I go for the classic fish and chips. Just as the waiter is about to turn away, he pauses.
“Oh, and just so you know, it’s trivia night. Kicks off in about fifteen. Want to sign up?”
Before I can answer, Katherine closes her menu with a calm, dangerous smile.
“Yes, please.”
My jaw drops afew inches. “You didnotbring me here for trivia night!” I say as the waiter disappears.
She shrugs. “I brought you here for dinner. Trivia is just a happy coincidence.”
I narrow my eyes. “How many pubs did you sift through to find one with trivia on a Tuesday night?”
