His gaze flicked to mine and held.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” I said again. Then, softer, “I just want to be there.”
Something shifted in his expression. Surprise, maybe. Or something more dangerous.
“Roxie …”
I almost asked him then.
Do you regret it?
The question pressed against my ribs, begging to belet out. My heart thudded loud enough I was sure he could hear it.
But I didn’t ask.
Instead, I handed his phone back. Our fingers brushed again. This time, neither of us moved away right away.
The air felt charged, like the moment before lightning hits.
“I nailed my call today,” I said, needing to say something. Anything. “The consulting one.”
His eyes softened instantly. “Yeah?”
“They want a proposal by Friday.”
“That’s huge,” he said, and there was no distance in his voice now. Just pride. Real, unmistakable pride. “I knew you’d crush it.”
The warmth that spread through my chest was immediate.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
We stood there too long. Close enough that if either of us leaned forward an inch …
Ledger stepped back first.
“I’ve got another workout.” His voice was tight. “Coach wants to tweak some things.”
I blinked.
He didn’t usually leave again so soon after getting home. His second practice was in the evenings. And even then, he lingered—grabbed water, asked about my day, filled the kitchen with that easy presence I’d started to rely on without realizing it.
This felt different.
Like an excuse.
Like he needed space more than he wanted to be here.
“Oh.” I schooled my expression into something neutral. “Okay.”
His gaze flicked to mine, then away again, like he didn’t trust himself to hold it. Like standing this close was harder than swimming another thousand yards.
“Of course,” I added, forcing a nod, trying to hide my disappointment. “Good luck.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “Thanks.”
He paused at the door, hand on the handle.
