“Alright, sweetheart.”
Her face softens, and she lowers her finger. We stare for a few beats. The warmth spreads through her body as she steps a little closer. “You’re on, tiger.”
“Tiger? Can I be a lion instead?”
“No, tiger fits you perfectly,” she says and takes her turn. I watch her pick up the ball, put her fingers in it, line it up, and throw it down the lane. Her perfect ass is popping as she lifts herself back up.
I’m staring, definitely staring. No one notices…
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Logan says as he walks to me.
“Your brother says the same thing. You both need new lines.” I shake my head at him as I glance back at Ava. She’s graceful…and there it is, a spare. If she starts throwing strikes, it really will be game over.
“You and Ava are…” Kendall flaps her hand in the air.
“Cozy.” I finish her sentence.
“Yes. Happiness looks good on you, Kai. You deserve it.” I’m not sure where that came from, but it sends warmth through my body, knowing Ava makes me happy—a different kind of happy, like I’m whole.
Ava finishes and walks over to us. “It’s your turn…good luck, tiger.”
Kendall’s eyes bounce between us. “You guys aren’t competitive at all…”
Dane walks over and drapes his arm around Kendall’s shoulder. “Did you ask them yet?”
When I see the smirk on Kendall’s face, I have a feeling she’s up to something. “No, no, not yet. But while we are here. Kai, I noticed yourRSVP didn’t include a plus-one. Maybe Ava wants to be your plus one. I mean, she’ll be there anyway, right, Ava?”
Ava nods.
“Okay, great, I’ll mark you guys down…as a couple.”
I turn to Ava. “You okay with being my date for their wedding—take two?” I hold up two fingers.
“I’d be honored to be your date.” She taps my chest and pecks my cheek with her soft, plump lips.
Every day with her is a day I’m a man destined to fall madly in love with her, if I haven’t already. No, I already have.
She slides her hand over my arm, and she flashes a sinister smile my way. “You’re turn.” She is ruthless, and I love that about her, too.
I pick up my custom ball, line it up, and throw it down the lane. It’s not looking good, but then at the last minute it twists just enough. Sure as shit, I threw a strike. To rub it in her face, just a bit, I moonwalk on the floor back to the bench.
Pointing my finger at her, I have this in the bag. “I’m winning this.”
“Don’t get too cocky…You never know what I have up my sleeve.”
We’ve been neck and neck. I’m still not sure how she pulled forward. Between a couple of strikes and a couple of spares, she caught up quickly.I wonder how often she goes bowling? Is this a current pastime or a love from her childhood?She knows how to play; I’m impressed.
Her turn next. I watch her throw another strike.
She sways past me again, wishing me luck. The ball leaves my hands, and it looks straight as it heads toward that first pin. At the last minute, it twists to the left and only hits three pins. I turn and find her. “Did you curse my balls?”
Our entire team erupts in laughter. I watch her lick her lips with that tongue of hers.I have something she can lick.
She shakes her head no, but then mouths, “I would never.” Then she comes out with an exaggerated wink. She’s egging me on. I need toconcentrate. I need a Hail Mary in this last round. If I throw a spare, I keep the lead.If I bomb this, she wins!
With one more throw down the lane, the ball leans close to the gutter but pulls back into the lane…only to knock down one more pin. With my hand dragging down my face, I know I’ll never hear the end of this.
I stand up straight and walk over to the bench and sit down, like I’m not totally sulking because I lost. Then I feel gentle hands on my shoulders, rubbing them. I look over my shoulder, and there she is, standing behind me.
