Page 209 of Cross Check

Warm and light and easy.

The place I want to return to time and time again.

“Really? Not even for the world’s greatest party?”

“Nope. I’ve never been a big partier or someone who likes to go out until early in the morning. I’m realizing that stuff never made me happy. I went along with it because I was waiting for something better to come along.”

“And did it?”

“Not just better. Something out of my wildest dreams. It’s this.” He gestures down at me. “Sitting on the couch? Existing in the same space as you? Why would I want to be anywhere else?”

A coil tightens around my lungs when I look at his bright eyes and wide smile.

It’s a shot of dopamine, a smooth hit of serotonin from one of my favorite things. Easily recognizable and definable as being so far past the hard-to-name feelings for him.

This is a certainty, an absolute that’s threaded itself into my soul and wedged its way into the deepest depths of my being.

It starts as a whisper, a phantom touch as Grant pulls me in his lap and kisses me. Both hands are on my cheeks, and his mouth is a tattoo on my skin. Each press of his lips is a new mark, an indentation forever imprinted. It builds, turning into a frantic rush of adrenaline. I’m at the top of a roller coaster and cresting over the downward slope of a hill, the world pulled out from under my feet.

I’m falling for him.

Wholly, completely, and without a chance to stop it.

I can only hope he’s there to catch me before I hit the ground.

SIXTY-FOUR

AMELIA

SEPTEMBER, ONE SEASON AGO

GE

Happy training camp day!

Me

And to you too! See you tonight to celebrate?

GE

I’m thinking Pete’s. I’ll bring sandwiches by later.

Mustache included! No one will know it’s me.

Me

Can’t wait!

GE

Knock ’em dead, baby.

Jude

How are you feeling, kid? Ready for your big day?

Me