“You’ve always brought out the best in me. With you, I can do anything.”
“Always,” Pierce said.
“We’ll see. Slow and steady. I think we might’ve gotten ahead of ourselves.”
“Would you change it?” he asked.
“No fucking way, man.”
Proud, he started the car and pulled out, headed to the hotel. So far, so good.
THE EFFORTLESS WAY they slipped into their new roles astounded her. She might be bold, but she’d always been a coward when it came to love. After watching her father deteriorate right in front of her when her mother died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm, she’d shied away from deep romantic attachments. The high that made her walk on clouds began to dissipate, and she began to regret her impulsive choices. There’d be no going back to what they’d once been. The only direction to travel would be forward. Am I up to that? Things I should have asked myself before I plunged headfirst into this. She ground her teeth together. How could she say no to Pierce of all people?
She’d do anything to see her partner in crime happy, even if it meant putting her own heart on the line. She gulped. That’s what scares me. They were going from zero to sixty. With no need to build a strong foundation, get past the awkward getting-to-know-you stage, or spill their guts, this train had only one destination. She toyed with the clunky silver rose ring on her index finger, spinning the circle around as she watched the buildings in the darkness.
“You got quiet. Are you okay?” Pierce said.
“Yeah, I’m just starving, and stunned.”
“You really had no clue?” He sounded almost disappointed.
“I never put us in that category, Pierce. It’s nothing personal. You were in the sexy-best-friend-I-love-to-death file.”
“Sexy, huh?”
She laughed, imagining his smirk. “You have a mirror, so I’m sure you’re well aware of how attractive you are.”
“But I didn’t know you thought that.”
“You got balls laying this on me.” She admired his bravery.
“I’d grown tired of thinking to death, honestly. I needed to know one way or another.”
“And you believe it’d work? You and me as a couple?” She nibbled her bottom lip.
“Yeah, I do. I mean, you said yourself on numerous occasions, we’re like peas and carrots. The attraction is obviously there. We’ve pretty much drawn out the blueprints. All we need to do is start building.” The confidence he placed in the words made her smile. This is why he’s one of the best sports agents in the area.
“It makes me nervous,” she said.
“Our past?” he said.
“The intensity.”
“Some people search their entire lives for a connection like this, and we found it with one lip-lock.”
She snorted. “Oh, it was much more than that.”
“Yeah, it was.”
She giggled at his audible pride.
“Everything is new. We’ll go slow and figure it out. The cat’s out of the bag, you haven’t slapped me, and the apocalypse hasn’t begun, so already expectations have been exceeded.”
“You were that worried?” she said.
“Umm…yeah. I’m well aware of the fact we run in different circles, and some of my interests bore you to death. I was concerned you wouldn’t see past our differences. If we’re both willing, there’s plenty of common ground.”
“Where? I’m a video-game-designing free spirit who likes anime, cosplay, and cult classics, and you’re a sports agent hooked on outdoor activities, action movies, and fast cars.”