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“Well, it’s working,” she said.
“I was being a dick,” I said, motioning behind me toward the field.
“Yeah,” she said, but smoothed her hands over my chest. “But you reeled it in. It was amazing to watch. You’re amazing.”
My heart expanded ten times in my chest, filling the space so much it was hard to breathe.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said before I could respond. “A pipe burst in my apartment, but I’ve got the super on it.”
I furrowed my brow. “Shit,” I said. “Do you need anything? I can cover the repairs.”
She laughed. “It’s covered by the apartment,” she said. “It’s an old ass pipe. I didn’t break it, so they have to fix it. I’ll have to find somewhere to stay for a few nights. It’s no big deal, but it’s the reason I’m late to the game.”
“Stay with me,” I said.
She bit back her smile. “You think you could stand me for three whole days and nights in a row?”
“More than that,” I said, an idea forming in my mind so naturally it was almost comical I hadn’t voiced it already. “Stay with me…forever.”
“What?”
“Move in with me.”
Her laugh was rich and full and skirted across my skin. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m not,” I said. “I want you in my home, in my bed. Plus, Sherlock would love it—”
“Don’t you dare use the dog to coax me into moving in with you!”
I grinned down at her. “I have to coax you now?”
“Again, you’re ridiculous. I love you, but I won’t break my lease and rush things between us. If I really needed a place to live, I could easily move in with Ella or Nora.”
“But they don’t have me,” I said. “Or Sherlock.”
“That’s true,” she said, reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss me again. It was quick and public-friendly, but goddamn, it made me want more. “But no, I’m sorry. I can’t move in with you. I would love to stay with you though, while it’s getting fixed.”
“I’ll take that.”
“And,” she continued. “I would be open to hearing your proposal in a few months when my lease is up.”
I drew her closer against me, bringing our bodies flush. “Really?” I asked. “You’re planning to continue to renew my month-to-month contract?”
“It’s crossed my mind.”
I bent down and crushed my mouth against hers, the words I wanted to say building like a storm inside me. “I—”
The surrounding crowd roared, leaping from their seats. I whirled around, putting the pieces together. Maddox had just made a double-play, ending the Jay's chance of getting another run in.
“Yes!” I released Alex, the two of us clapping and cheering for my team.
Our team.
And as we continued to watch the game, I couldn’t help but wonder how the hell I’d gotten so lucky to find someone like her.
CHAPTER 14
Alexandra
“You sure it’s okay that you’re here?” I asked for probably the sixth time since Ethan showed up to help me walk the dogs from the shelter.
“I promise,” he said, not a hint of annoyance in his tone at my repetitiveness. “Doug shifted my schedule around. He’s kind of an expert at it by now. He wouldn’t have told me I was free if I wasn’t. And Declan, my publicist, keeps trying to send camera crews over here to film it in some hopes of helping my reputation, which I of course say no to every time. And besides, I’m the boss. I can push meetings if I want.”
I smiled, shaking my head. “It must be nice to be the boss.”
“It has its perks.” He switched one of the four leashes he had in his right hand to his left, the dogs in front of him eager and sniffing rapidly as we walked along the trail in the wooded area near the shelter.
I had three of my own, including Sherlock, who was more than happy to see some old friends and make a few new ones. We fell into this easy silence as we walked and appreciated the beautiful day.
I kept stealing glances at Ethan, unable to resist admiring him in this role. He wore a pair of slacks and a simple T-shirt, so different from the expensive suits he normally wore. He looked incredible in both, but it was the fact that he was here, with me, volunteering his time that made him downright irresistible. Especially since his time was quite literally more valuable than mine—he could negotiate million-dollar deals within the hour that I walked these dogs.
One of the many reasons why I’d fallen for him so fast—he was compassionate and caring and perceptive.
A sliver of doubt crept up the back of my throat, but I swallowed it down. It had been ten days since I’d admitted I’d fallen for him—like he’d so hoped for the bet all those weeks ago that we met.
He hadn’t said it back.
I’d told him not to, and I’d meant it. I didn’t want him to say it out of an obligation to make me happy. When he said it, if he said it, I wanted him to mean it. I knew his history, had met his ex and seen the trauma it brought back to him when he’d seen her again. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, just as it had felt nearly impossible for me, too.
