I pull Alli closer to my side, her body fitting perfectly against mine, and glance down at her for an answer. “Maybe,” she replies, her lips curling into a smile, “we’ll just meet up with you guys wherever.”
“Gotcha, see you later, lovebirds,” Chase waves us off as he and the group start heading out.
The rest of the team follows, leaving just the two of us standing in the fading crowd. The energy from the win still hums in the air around us, and the chaos feels like it’s melting away. Slowly, we make our way toward the doors, taking our time as if neither of us is in a rush to leave.
“What do you want to do tonight? We don’t have to go out.”
“No, we should. You won the game. It’s celebration time, big boy!”
We walk across the parking lot, the hum of conversation and distant laughter from the stadium fading behind us. The cool breeze picks up, tugging at Alli’s hair as she adjusts her grip around my waist, snuggling closer for warmth. I glance down, catching the pale glow of the streetlights reflecting in her eyes, and I can’t help but feel grateful to have her here, by my side.
As we reach my car, I open the door, glancing at her—not just her face—with a grin as she slides into the seat. Her fingers sweep mine in the process, sending a quick spark through me.
“Just say when, and we can leave. I’m fine with staying in tonight too. Win or not, I’m fine as long as you’re there with me.” I say.
“Someone’s attached.”
I laugh, shutting the door and circling around to the driver’s side. “I’m drunk off you.”
“Shut up.” Alli’s laugh bubbles out of her.
We settle in, and right before I can start the car, Alli’s foot hits something in the passenger floor. I immediately reach for the paper bag, but Alli beats me to it.
She looks down and frowns. “What’s this?”
“Nothing, it’s my…”
She widens the space between us as she peeks inside. A slow grin spreads across her face.
“Did you… look in my Amazon wishlist?”
I rub the back of my neck, caught. “I couldn’t help it, you left your laptop open.”
“You bought me a puzzle?” she asks, holding up the box with an amused expression.
“I saw it in your shopping history, and I couldn’t help it. I thought you’d like it.” I reply, feeling heat creep up to my cheeks. Blushing?
“I can’t believe it,” she says, her eyes still on the puzzle. It's a charming cottage surrounded by autumn trees. Warm huesof orange, yellow, and red filled the scene, with a faint trail of smoke curling out of the chimney. I ruffle my hair to hopefully distract her from the redness on my face.
“That I like to make you happy and spoil you?”
“No,” she says, finally looking at me with a smirk, “that you actually bought thislegally.”
I throw my hands up in mock defeat. “One time, Allison!”
She smiles, the smile that drives me absolutely insane. “Let’s go out before the homebody in me comes out and changes her mind.”
“Baby, we can stay home.”
“No, no, no, we should go out and celebrate your win. It’s all about you. I’m fine, really.” She leans in, her lips brushing my ear, “then we can have fun later at my place.”
My pulse kicks up a notch as her words hang in the air, so damn enticing. I clear my throat, trying to sound casual even though she’s unraveling me with just a touch.
“Is that so?”
She smirks, pulling back slightly and fixing my hair back. “Mm-hmm. You did win, after all. Doesn’t that deserve a proper reward?”
“Guess I can’t say no to a reward,” I say, trying to stay cool—but my body’s definitely not cooperating as things heat up fast.
