“I meant my phone, Covington,” he says, waving it by the side of my face.
I shove him. “You are the worst.”
He reaches for my hand as I’m pulling away from him. “That’s not what you said last night.”
“Hold onto that memory.” I easily tug free of his grip and begin heading toward the yoga room for a session with Spencer. “Because it’ll be your only one.”
Lies. I’ve never wanted him more than I do in this exact moment, freshly showered, water droplets still drying on his chest visible through his unbuttoned shirt. That smile from last night returns in full force, and it’s like flowers in fresh bloom, the first glimpse of spring after a rough winter.
Being around him is easy, like we’ve skipped a few steps, blown past the stage of feeling each other out. It should concern me more, but I can’t keep my grip on that feeling with all the others lighting up my brain.
“I’d make a bet with you, but I’d hate to humiliate you,” he calls to my retreating form.
“Your arrogance is astounding.” I spin around so he can see my eye roll, but I continue to move backward. “Truly.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I want to spend more time with you. Away from the rink. Away from…everyone else. Just me and you.
He didn’t call it a date. But it is, right? More importantly, is that what I want?
“Don’t worry, Wessy, I’ve got it all marked on my calendar with little black hearts around it.”
Wes shakes his head. “You could’ve just said ‘yes.’”
I wave my hand over my shoulder as I exit the hallway and leave his sight line. It’s not until fifteen minutes into yoga that my heart gets the memo and finally calms its rhythm.
Chapter 23
Wes
“Areyougoingtotell me what we’re doing?” Isla asks on the walk to my truck.
We’re leaving the arena for the date I never believed she’d give me. I toss her bag onto the truck bed and open the passenger door for her. She’s breathtaking in a turquoise sleeveless flowy dress with an overlay of lace and a brown belt. Her brown sandals, which expose more of her feet than cover them, bring her a few inches closer to my height, so obviously I love them.
She waits outside the door, staring me down in an attempt to convince me to spill our plans.
“We’re going to my favorite place and that’s all I’m going to say. Let me surprise you, Red.”
“Fine,” she groans, hopping into the truck. She holds up a finger before I close the door. “But for the record, I hate surprises.”
I shut her door, leaning into the window and resting my elbows. “I know. It’s our thing to annoy each other.”
She shakes her head, a smile spreading across her face. I give her control of the aux as I head toward the highway that leads out ofPalmer City toward my hometown. It’s an hour drive, but in her presence, I don’t mind it one bit.
We keep the windows down, letting the summer air rush into the car. Isla’s hair whips around her face, while she stares out the window, eyes closed. The opening to one of my favorite songs begins to play.
“Interesting choice of date music,” I shout to her over the wind.
She says something, but I can’t pick up on the words over the music. I hit the off button on the radio, and she grumbles.
“Sorry, couldn’t hear you. I have hearing loss and ringing in my right ear,” I explain. “Sometimes I don’t pick up on every word if it’s noisy.”
“Well, now I feel like an ass.”
I grin at her. “That’s nothing new.”
She rolls her eyes, but surprisingly doesn’t sass me back. “The ringing must be frustrating.”
