“You’reimportant to me,” I say, wrapping my arms around the small of her back. “Kenz, I…”
Doubt rushes in now that it’s just the two of us. She’s had a heck of a day with deceiving security, punching her ex, and going in front of the media for the first time. Maybe I should let Kenzie get Banks snuggles and a good night’s sleep.
I’ll still feel this way in the morning.
I’ll still feel this way for the rest of my life.
Kenzie’s fingertips trail up my neck until they trace over my jaw. That adorable wrinkle settles between her brows—the one she gets when she’s working through a complex problem. She traces my cheekbones, the laugh lines around my lips, and my temples before shifting her fingers firmly into my hair. A puff of breath leaves my mouth as my eyes fall half-closed. Almost nothing is better than Kenzie’s fingers in my hair.
Her gaze darts all over my face as that little smirk settles over her lips—the one she gets once she’s solved something complicated. Before I can ask, Kenzie kisses me, and all thought falls away. Somewhere in between distracting sweeps of her lips, I remind myself I have tomorrow.
Or the next day.
Or any day in forever.
Because there’s no way I’d ever let Kenzie go.
Chapter 32
Kenzie
Two weeks later, I get a text from Trevor’s friend Noah. Technically, he’smy friendtoo since he insisted that Trevor and I join a group chat when we sailed to Wilks Beach last Thursday. With my no-breakfast, wristbands, and single-dose-of-motion-sickness-meds routine, I actually enjoy being out on the boat, especially since Trevor always lets me take the helm. After successfully docking it at Bayside Table last Thursday, I ordered a pink captain’s hat for myself. I can’t wait to see Trevor’s smile when I wear it next time we’re on the water.
A second pinging sound pulls my attention back to my phone. The group chat is mostly Noah sending a delightful assortment of dad jokes. The corner of my mouth liftsas I anticipate which chicken-crossing-the-road or punny knee-slapper we’ll receive today.
Noah
Enjoy your first official Waves game!
Noah
Without cosplaying as a senior citizen, that is.
A chuckle bursts from my lips.
Noah had called Trevor the morning after the bearded debacle while I’d been making pancakes. The way Trevor smiled as he confirmed that yes, we were officially a couple, made electricity sprint through my veins. He mostly listened as Noah spoke, watching me from across the island. The second they hung up, I had to set the batter aside so that no pancakes burned while Trevor distracted me in the bestpossibleway.
Kenzie
Thank you! I’m so excited!
I’m even more excited for the surprise I have in store for Trevor. It’s the first time I’ll be able to attend a game sans grandpa getup. The appeal to remove me from the banned list took longer than either of us anticipated, but fortunately, I never needed to drag in character witnesses. By the time I was approved, Trevor was finishing out a series of away games. He flew home at 2 a.m. last night and then slept until he needed to rush out the door this afternoon for today’s home game. Theyusually get a day off between away and home games, but this stretch runs straight through.
I give Banks and Jet extra kisses before crouching down to collect the sign I’d hidden under my bed. Baseball, bat, and mitt stickers encircle the wordsChapman is MY Man—written in glitter pen, of course. But it’s the backside of this sign I’m most excited about.
After breezing through Waves security, I’m greeted with hugs and giddy jump claps from the other WAGs when I enter the family area. Mallory practically decapitates me she squeezes me so tight.
“Look at me.” She stretches her hands in front of her chest, and her custom-designed Waves nails tremble. “I’m vibrating I’m so thrilled. I literally live for grand gestures like this.”
Mallory is the only one who’s aware of my plan.
“I might have elevated things, just ateensybit.” Those stylish nails make a pinching motion in front of her face.
Panic lurches in my chest, making my throat tight. “What do you mean?”
“I just coordinated with the announcer to draw attention to our section. And maybe tipped a few cameramen to film the whole thing so it goes on the jumbotron.” Mallory pauses, but I know there’s more.
“And?”
