“I…are you sure?”
“Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. Now quit overthinking it and say yes.”
“Yes,” she murmurs, studying my reaction like she expects me to shoutPSYCH!at any moment. “That would be really nice.”
The sweet rush of victory sends my blood pumping faster through my veins. “Good. I’m not totally sure about the time yet, but probably around one? I can pick you and Reed up.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she says, her bronze skin warming with the hint of a blush.
“I know. I’d like to.” And I’m not giving her an easy out if she changes her mind and tries to back out of dinner.
Blair looks down at her lap, where her hands twist together for a moment. Then I feel her spine straighten, and I grin when she looks up at me with a determined expression. “Okay. What can I bring?”
“Just yourselves.”
The little vixen rolls her eyes. “I’m not showing up to Thanksgiving dinner empty-handed.”
“I can text the guys, ask them to check with the ladies.”
“That’s okay. I’ll do it.”
I watch over Blair’s shoulder as she pulls her phone from her pocket and opens what looks like a group chat with Mira, Lexi, and Isla. I don’t read their texts, because I’m not that much of a nosy asshole, but it makes me happier than it probably should to see that the ladies have already pulled her into their group.
It doesn’t take long at all for Blair’s phone to buzz with a whole string of responses, and I watch, fascinated, as her lips twitch and her body relaxes. She taps out a response, and I force my attention back to the game. Reed’s team is down by seven, but they haven’t lost their hustle. It’s impressive as fuck.
“I’m bringing pies. I told them they were from you, too, in case you haven’t offered to bring anything yet.”
My chest squeezes at that. All of this seems so…couple-y. Normally, I’d be panicked and suffocated if a woman tried tobring me into some scheme to give us the appearance of being together. But with Blair? I just feel warm. Hopeful.
I’m in trouble.
Clearing my throat, I tighten my arm around her. “Thanks, angel.”
Even though we’re surrounded by people and families, all I can see is Blair as she looks up at me. Her lips are slightly parted and her eyelashes flutter, and are we closer than we were a minute ago? If I leaned down the tiniest bit, I could press my lips to hers.
“You’re welcome,” she whispers. Her warm breath fans over my lips, and I swallow thickly.
Do not kiss Blair for the first time since California in the stands of an eighth-grade football game, you idiot.
As if she’s reading my mind, Blair blinks, pulls away, and shakes her head.
At least I’m not the only one feeling this pull.
Commotion in the stands finally breaks the spell, and we watch as Reed and his teammates make a push for the end zone. Damn, the kid is fast. He’s sure-footed as he dodges members of the opposing team, never fully looking away from the quarterback as he brings his arm back and lets go of the ball with a snap of the wrist.
“Come on, Reed, come on,” Blair chants beside me. We’re both leaning forward, willing her little brother to catch the pass. He’s only a few yards from the end zone, and the other team hasn’t realized they’ve left him wide open yet.
When he catches the ball, Blair and I both shout, jumping to our feet.
“Go, Reed, go!” She clasps her hands in front of her mouth like she’s praying.
One yard left. Half a yard. Then the stands erupt in cheers as Reed Sherman crosses the line into the end zone and tiesthe game. I hoot and cheer, shouting his name. And when Blair turns to me, her eyes lit up brighter than the fucking sun, I wrap my arms around her and lift her off her feet.
“He did it!” She throws her head back and laughs, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
“Hell yeah, he did.”
Blair turns to twinkling eyes back to me, and all the air gets sucked out of my lungs. I’m still holding her up as the people around us cheer and clap. When her gaze dips to my lips, I slide one hand up her spine and gently grip the back of her neck. She inhales deeply, and it pushes her chest into mine, making me groan.
