Riley:That's just it, Shortstop. You don't have to say anything. I know what you need, and I'll do all ofthework.
Alex:This discussion is quite the detour from football. This was a sharpleftturn.
Riley:I got a sharp leftyforyou.
Alex:Now you're just beingridiculous.
Riley:No. I am not. You know how I feel about your ass. It'sdelicious.
Alex:Okay,so…
Riley:Great. Let me know if tomorrow night works out for football. I'll pickyouup.
Alex:Do you really think my hair is likewhiskey?
Riley:Yes.Ido.
* * *
Riley:I have to ask yousomething.
Alex:Shoot. I'm hanging out in post-op for about twenty moreminutes.
Riley:Bear with me. I can't believe that we haven't discussed this yet so I'm a littlenervous.
Alex:Now I'mnervous.
Riley:You have nothing to worry about. Your life will continue just fine. It's mine that might come crashingdownhere.
Riley:How do you feel about comics andsuperheroes?
Alex:DC orMarvel?
Alex:Nevermind, that's a terrible question. I'd never want to choose. I love the ensembles. The Avengers, the X-Men, the JusticeLeague.
Alex:But I haven't read any in 20 years. I've caught up with the movies as they've been released, though. Most of them have beenreallygood.
Alex:Are you stillwithme?
Riley:Yes. Sorry. I just spontaneouslyorgasmed.
Alex:What?
Riley:Nothing. But I'll talk to you later. Something justpoppedup.
ChapterTwelve
Alexandra
"This wasn'tthe worst idea in the world," I said, licking the powdered sugar from my fingertips as we exited the bakery. This degree of indulgence would've had my mother tsking "A moment on the lips, forever on the hips." The only indulgence she allowed herself was fat-free yogurt that claimed to be cherry cheesecake flavored but tasted like a scentedmarker.
Riley snorted beside me. "Happy to hook you up with cannoli anytime you need it," he said, tugging me closer. It was Friday evening, and the kind of late September night that brought everyone in Boston outside, and the sidewalks were jammed. "Especially if it means you're going to smilelikethat."
My ponytail was trapped under his arm, and in my quest to loosen it, I jabbed him in the chest. "Sorry, sorry," I said, running my fingers throughmyhair.
"No worries," he said with a wince. He rubbed a hand over his breastbone. "I'm getting used to yourattacks."
There was a gravity associated with Riley. A pull. I couldn't be near him without being drawn closer, and he never failed to take it a step further. A hand on my waist. An arm around my shoulders. A leg pressedtomine.
