“Okay, I’ve got one for us to fill out,” I said.
“Uh oh. We haven’t argued enough already?”
“Nope. It’s important that I learn your opinion on these.” I held up the paper. “Favorite Junes.”
He snorted. “Junes?”
“You heard me. The number one seed is June Wilder, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Then there’s June Lockhart, the actress. June Cleaver, the character fromLeave it to Beaver. June the month, of course, and Junebug the insect, Juno the Roman Goddess…”
“Juno is a stretch, but I’ll allow it,” Cole said.
In contrast to chair opinions, Cole and I were on the same page regarding most of this bracket. After filling out most of the bracket, it was down to Juno and myself in the final.
“I think the answer is obvious,” I said. “I can’t compete with a Roman Goddess.”
Cole shook his head. “Hell no. My pick is you.”
“You’re just being nice.”
“Juno is a mythical god, and you’re a very real, very attractive woman,” Cole insisted. “You’re also paying for dinner, which puts you over the top.”
I cocked my head at him. “I’m paying?”
“Sure. This is our second date, after all, and I paid for the first date.”
I sputtered a laugh, and he laughed with me. Our chemistry felt easy and natural. I realized I was leaning forward because I wanted to be just a little bit closer to him.
I’ve never had a first date go this well before.
As if he’d read my mind, Cole suddenly said, “I’ve never had a date go this well before.”
“I wasjustthinking that!”
“I think I’m comfortable around you because you’ve already touched my body more than most women,” he said with a sexy smirk. “Although most women don’t dig their fingers into my calf so hard I wince.”
“You need to date better women, then.”
“I actually never date during the regular season,” he admitted. “Between games, practices, road trips, and marketing obligations, I usually don’t have the time or energy.”
“Why’d you make an exception for me?”
“Because,” Cole said, “you’re exceptional.”
I wasn’t expecting the compliment, so it hit with extra force. Something in my chest tightened, and I found myself leaning forward even more. If Cole had leaned forward with me at that exact moment, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from kissing him.
Forget kissing, I thought.I’d go home with Cole right now if he asked.
But then another thought occurred to me. One which made my stomach twist.
I’ve slept with Rhett.
18
June
