I bring my head an inch closer, my voice more confident.
“He’s sweet, and hilarious, and makes a mean seafood dish.”
His lips finally start to curl up into a smile. “Go on.”
I keep my voice at a whisper. “I like him. A lot.”
“And—” He smiles wide.
“I also have this silly shirt to represent him, us.”
He lets out a quick laugh at that. “It’s a banger, that shirt.”
Now assured in where we’re headed here, I grin back. “Do you think he might ignore how dumb I’ve been?”
“Maybe.” His tone is playful.
“Might forgive me for shutting things down?”
“Maybe.”
“Might give me a chance to make this right?”
“I’m betting on that, yes.”
I let out a happy sigh, lifting my hand to touch the side of his face.
“Thank you.”
He drops his forehead against mine, and we enjoy the connection for a couple of seconds.
And then his mouth starts drifting toward mine. I lean up to meet it, and unlike any of our prior kisses, it starts so soft. A brush back and forth.
“I missed you,” he says faintly.
“Me too.”
With my matching confession, he presses our mouths together, guiding his tongue inside me. He moans as I do the same, but it’s the pull on my chest that I notice most as we claim each other’s mouths for the first time in weeks.
The honesty of our conversation, the clarity of where we’re at now—this kiss is sealing our understanding. And I let myself feel all of it.
I run my hand through his brown curls and pull his mouth closer to mine, if that’s even possible. He moans again, his hand dropping to my ass.
As he squeezes me there, he pulls his mouth away, eyes dilated, lips swollen.
“Tell me, Avie, this guy, is he fucking awesome in bed?” Squeeze.
I laugh.
“I can’t recall. Maybe he should refresh my memory.”
He looks at me, excited but cautious. Like he’s trying to decipher my exact meaning. “As in, now?”
This isn’t what I intended for my stadium visit, but also, it’s beenweeks…
“Or later tonight? At home?” I reply, since at least then we’d have a bed, and more time to reconnect.
He shakes his head, disappointment apparent. “I’m still required to be at the training camp hotel until Sunday. With no visitors.”
