We bid her father goodbye and then start walking toward the lounge.
Nicole falls into step beside me. “I’ve never been to an afterparty for a game. Hopefully Cocoa won’t make a mess of my apartment while I’m gone.”
“I’ll help you clean it up if he does.” I chuckle, catching my breath as my hand brushes hers. It lingers there, and she slides her fingertips along my palm. I gaze down at her, and she meets my eyes.
“You’re different tonight.”
“Yeah?” I wrap my fingers around her hand, shoulders looser than they’ve been in weeks.
Nicole nudges my arm with her shoulder, though I don’t miss her blushing. “You played like you were actually having fun.”
“I think I was.” I smile at her and then grab the door to the lounge, holding it open for her.
She doesn’t drop my hand.
As we step inside, Marcus spots us, waves his arm, and yells, “Texas!”
Nicole looks at me. “You’re famous. It’s very intimidating.”
I roll my eyes, but I feel my face flush. “You’re too flattering.”
I lead Nicole across the room, weaving through a lot of people I don’t recognize, but they slap my back like I matter. Like I belong. And for the first time since I got here, I don’t feel like I’m borrowing the feeling.
Nicole’s standing beside me like she knows I’m meant to be here.
Marcus intercepts us. “So, you’re the hot girl with the crazy dog?”
Nicole’s eyes grow wide, and she turns to me, clearly shocked. “Um…”
“She is,” I deadpan, swallowing the urge to punch Marcus in the face for embarrassing me.
“I am,” Nicole breathes out, a slow smile tugging at her lips. In the moment, I notice she’s not only wearing a Comets shirt—but NEELSON, 11, stretched across her back.
And pride bubbles in my chest.
Not just because she’s wearing my number, but because shechoseit.
“Well.” Marcus reaches out and sets a big hand on her shoulder without missing a beat. “You made our boy play like an All-Star. Whatever you did, you keep doing it.”
Nicole laughs, glancing at me. “I’ll do my best.”
Marcus claps me on the back, then leans closer to her, conspiratorial. “You know, I must thank you for allowing me the chance to give him a can of Pet PEE-rific as a welcome gift. It was truly magical the way he reacted.”
“I can hear you,” I mutter.
Marcus introduces his sister, Macy, who doesn’t remotely look related to him. Nicole locks in with her immediately, and within five minutes, they’re deep in conversation about LA traffic, dog-friendly parks, and the horror of high-rise laundry rooms.
I try to keep up, but mostly I’m just standing here, grinning as I watch her effortlessly connect.
She’s amazing.
My eyes drop to her fingers, threaded through mine like that’s exactly where they belong. I have no idea what kind of statement we’re making, but I’m pretty sure I want the entire world to see how lucky I am to have her here with me.
Chapter Seventeen
Nicole
“You want something to drink?” Dom asks, turning to me as Marcus and his sister slip away to another group. He squeezes my hand, which he’s been holding all evening, and my heart flip-flops a few times over. “Well?”
