We came to rest by a barrier, the canal’s dark water rippling beneath us.
“Well, you have this calm energy about you that I imagine helps put the team at ease. From the short time that I’ve known you, I can tell you’re the type of person who’s always ready to help others, which means that your teammates probably feel comfortable coming to you with any issues. Moreover, Josh isalways boasting about your impressive football stats. So in other words, you’re steady, trustworthy, a gifted player, and I’d say that all of these qualities make you a great leader. On and off the field.”
Hunter appeared stunned. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
My throat felt inexplicably tight with the way he was staring down at me in awe and gratitude. “I’m just being honest.”
“I know.” Something indescribable flashed across his face, hesitation maybe, before he said, “I scored one for you…A game-winning touchdown.”
It was my turn to be stunned. “What?”
He smiled wistfully and glanced at the water, almost avoiding my perplexed gaze. “I thought you came to the game—I thought you were in the crowd, watching me, and I was trying to impress you.”
This was too much for me to process. My mind raced a mile a minute and my heart clenched almost painfully from his words. He thought I was there. He scored a game-winning touchdown to impress me. Oh my God. “Hunter…”
Realizing that he’d revealed a little too much abouthisinner workings, he reverted to his teasing self, giving me a suave wink to downplay his admission. “No worries. I can do it again when you come to my next game.”
“Make it three touchdowns,” I rallied, but my voice was thick, unlike my usual flirtatious tone. “I’ll be really impressed then.”
“Deal.” Hunter chuckled and Luna swivelled her head in his direction. She meowed for him and he gave her gentle scratches.
“I’m surprised,” I said. “Luna barely takes a liking to anyone new.”
He looked proud of himself. “I’m flattered.”
“Do you have any pets?”
“None currently. But my dad did have a ball python from his collegiate years. He passed away from old age when I was a kid.”
“Is that why you have a snake inked on your arm?”
“Yeah,” he rasped. “I’ve always been fascinated with them and they’re revered in many cultures as symbols of protection, guidance, transformation, and eternal rebirth. I have another one tatted on my right thigh.”
Just imagining that tattoo on his muscular thigh made my insides flutter. “I know nothing about snake lore, but that sounds very interesting.”
He let go of my hand a bit regretfully, after giving it a final squeeze because Luna kept pawing at him, desperately wanting to be cradled. He pulled her out of my tote and she relaxed once she was in his strong arms.
“Do you have any tattoos?” he asked me.
“Just one.” I pushed my hair behind my shoulders and flashed him the small cursiveRbehind my ear. It was the same one as Layla and Anna. Our moms were friends before our births and gave us middle names that meant Queen in our respective cultures. Mine was Regina, Layla’s Rani, and Anna’s Reina. “Me and my best friends got these when we turned eighteen to honour our middle names.”
Hunter bent down at the waist to peer at my tattoo. “It’s beautiful, Gabby.”
I preened. A mirthful expression twisted his features. “What is it?” I asked.
He smirked. “I’m just thinking that without the added height of your heels, you’re a tiny little thing. Like a precious doll.”
“Hey—I’m five-foot-two!” I retorted. “Notthatshort.”
“I’m six-three, sweetheart. I’ve got more than a foot over you,” he mused, swiping a thumb over my cheek in a featherlight caress. “You’re definitely short by my standards.”
More warmth suffused my face at the proximity and touch. “Is that a problem?”
“Nah, I think you’re fucking cute.”
I bit my lip. “Ditto.”
Hunter’s blue eyes flared wide, his full lips parting at my compliment.
