I roll my eyes. “That’s stupid.”And incredibly sweet.
“Maybe, but it doesn’t change my decision. Let’s open them tonight at Lake Anita. Where it all started.”
My head falls back and I stare at the ceiling. Kenneth’s sentimentality somehow turns this situation from annoying to romantic. He’s really good at that, and I want nothing more than to kiss him until we need to leave.
“After karaoke?” I ask, desperate for a win.
He lets out a groan. “One song.”
“Three,” I counter.
“Two.”
I smile, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips. “Deal.”
Stuffing my envelope into my bag, I weave our fingers and let him lead me out of the house and down the driveway.
“By the way,” I say. “What happened with your dad?”
Kenneth turns back and his joy makes my worry melt away. Not only does he look good, he looks free.
“Fuck my dad. Now come on, gorgeous. We’ve got a party to attend.”
Chapter Forty-Three
I take a deepbreath, letting the smell of cedar wrap itself around every bundle of nerves and slow my racing heartbeat.
My finger lazily traces Mallory’s shoulder with her head resting on my leg. Even in a fancy gown, she plopped onto the splintered dock without hesitation and beckoned me down to join her.
I would have been a fool to decline.
The second my feet hit the gravel road, I took a moment to appreciate the place I call home. Mallory being here with me makes it even more special because I am home with the woman I love.
God, I love her so much.
Deep blue, smooth as midnight, clings to her body like a second skin. My eyes trail up her legs, starting at pale blue toenails and then travel toward the cloud of curls she released from its bobby-pin jail halfway through “Raining Men” at karaoke. When I reach her face, honeyed eyes are already on me.
“You watching me?” we say at the same time.
“Jinx!” she screams, beating me by only half a second. “You owe me a hot chocolate!”
I hold my hands up in surrender. Little does she know, I plan on buying her one every day for the rest of my life.
Halfway through the gala’s award ceremony, Mallory’s impatience won out. Twisting her body away from me, she started to peel open her envelope, unaware of her name being called for the Women’s Captain of the Year award. I handed her my envelope as a peace offering for taking hers, before walking to the stage to receive the Men’s Captain of the Year award.
Tonight gave us both another point, making it 12-12. The tie breaker is in these envelopes.
“Ready to find out?” I ask.
“Honestly, no.” Mallory sits up. “I’d rather hear about your decision.”
I planned on telling her everything before the gala. Then she opened the door and the only thoughts I could articulate were how alluring and ethereal she is. And how lucky I am to be the man beside her all night.
Tonight was about us. Two student-athletes celebrating a phenomenal year. It was the first gala where we didn’t spend the entire evening at each other’s throats. Whispered adoration and soft touches replaced passive-aggressive comments and avoiding each other.
I didn’t want to taint the evening talking about the man I’ll never speak to again.
“I spoke to my mom,” I finally admit.
