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She filled a glass. “Dancing doesn’t require beating someone else, in any sense of the word.”
“You’re wondering why I like Rocky so much.”
“Not even a little bit. He makes a decision, and gives it his all, and sticks to it even when it hurts.” She grinned at the look on his face. “Superpowers, remember? I’ll bet you and Gavin sat in your basement and watched the whole set over and over in high school.”
“Nope,” Nick said triumphantly. “We did not.”
“His basement, then.”
“Wrong again.” He watched her return to the couch. “I watched them with my dad a lot when I was really young.”
“Aw, that’s even more adorable.” She folded her legs under her. “Baby Nick boxing with Daddy.”
“There may have been occasional matches, sure.”
“And you were always Rocky.”
“Absolutely.” Nick smiled. “I’d sit on the couch, and he’d box from his knees.”
Hayley put her glass on the cart. “I still don’t think Rocky had anything to prove to anyone.”
“Maybe not. But he wanted to be better.”
Hayley looked from Nick to the battered, triumphant boxer on the television screen and wondered what either of them felt he had to fight.
She stretched to hide her nervousness. “Is it okay if I stay here tonight?”
“Sure,” he said. “The bed’s all yours.”
“No way. I’m not putting you on the couch again.”
“Yes, you are.” He grinned. “Though it’s nice of you to give me a choice this time.”
She could let herself fall into his arms, right now, and kiss him until morning.
“Damn it, Freeman.” Hayley jumped off the couch, grabbed her bag, trusted her momentum to put some space between them. “You need to stop being so considerate.”
“Yeah, it’s one of my many failings.” He stood up. “You good? I threw away your toothbrush—”
“There you go. Less considerate.”
“But I’m sure there’s a new one in there.”
“You keep those for all your lady friends?”
He flushed a bit.Come on, girl. Don’t be a bitch.
“I’m good,” she said, a little softer. “I’ve even got clothes, so you don’t have to run a laundry service.”
“Way to be prepared.” He grinned. “Was this all just a plot to use me for my chocolate?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I was planning on using the rehearsal room, dumbass, so I’ve got … You know what? It’s not even worth explaining.”
“You’re going to sleep in your dance stuff?”
“Maybe.”
“You’re welcome to go through the dresser.”
