Act normal.
She hesitates outside her door, and I shove a hand in my pocket. This is the moment I’d lean in, kiss my date, invite her inside.
But thisisn’ta date.
I loosen my tie slowly, holding her gaze. “Careful, Sunshine. If you keep stalling, I’ll think you want me to do something I shouldn’t.”
Her breath catches — so softly I barely hear it — but it’s there.
“Just checking you make curfew, Steele.” Her hand lingers on the key in the lock, and I’ve never wanted to cross a line more than I do right now.
But I can’t. This is messy enough.
“Copy that, Boss.” I step back slowly. “Have a good night.”
I wait until she slips inside her condo before unlocking my place and going in. I unbutton my jacket and toss it onto the sofa, pull out my phone. My fingers hover over her name.
Bennett: In for the night
She thumbs-ups the message, then blue dots appear.
My heart rate picks up. Stupid.
Ice Queen: Get some sleep. I know it took a lot out of you to be civil to me for an entire evening
She’s wrong.
It was surprisingly easy. Having Tori by my side, holding her in my arms and spinning her around the dance floor, wasn’t hard at all.
The hardest part of the night was letting her go inside without me.
Clicking into her contact info, I change the name fromIce QueentoSunshine, then plug my phone in for the night.
CHAPTER 10
BENNETT
Iwake up before my alarm, the night with Tori still fresh in my mind — and my dick. I adjust the situation one-handed, reaching for my phone with the other.
Meeting notification: 1 PM – Dr. Leighton Sparks (Sports Psych)
I blink hard, as if the letters might rearrange into something else. Something better.
What the fuck?
Therapy wasn’t on my calendar yesterday.
Fully awake now, I launch out of bed and text Tori.
Bennett: What the hell is this calendar invite?
Her reply’s instant. Like she was waiting.
Sunshine:Counseling session
Bennett: Yeah, we established I can read. Not going
Sunshine: Mandatory. League mandated. They track attendance
