“You realise that’s kind of amazing, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell Gwen. She already thinks I can read people’s minds.”
I laughed, shaking my head and placing the plates on the table. Fuck, if only she could read what I was thinking of doing to her right now. “Seriously. If this psychology gig ever gets boring, come coach,” I said, trying to shake my thoughts toactuallyget through dinner.
“Only if I get to wear a cute tennis outfit.”
I smirked. “Done.”
We sat by the window, steam curling off the plates, the whole city folding away outside the window. It felt quiet. Almost like everything had slowed down for us.
She took a bite. I watched her, probably for too long.
“This is going to sound mad,” I said finally.
She looked up.
“I’m playing the biggest match of my life tomorrow…and I’ve met the most incredible woman in the same week. Feels like I should play the lottery just to see what else could go right.”
She froze for a beat, like she didn’t know what to do with that. Then she smiled, her cheeks turning pink.
“Jordan…”
“I’m serious.” I leaned forward, my voice low. “You walk in andeverything feels calmer. Like the noise has disappeared.” I didn’t normally spill my guts like this, but she was so disarming.
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re dangerous, you know that?”
“Only in the best ways.”
She cleared her throat. “So…what happens if you win the whole thing?”
I looked at her, dead serious. “I kiss you in front of fifteen thousand people and hope you’re still around when I land back from New York.” She held her breath a second before she took a sip of water, steadying herself.
“Jesus. I don’t even have a witty response to that.” I had a feeling that was a first for her.
Later, we were on the couch, her knees tucked under her, the remains of dinner forgotten. My arm was stretched along the back of the couch behind her, fingers twirling the ends of her long hair. The music was still faintly playing, though the playlist had gone rogue by now, but all I could tune into was her.
“You’re different,” I said with certainty.
Kate turned toward me. “Different how?”
I watched her face, that mouth. God, those full, rosy lips.
“I don’t know…You don’t seem to care about the reputation. Or the press. Or any of the flashy bullshit.” That was all true; she really didn’t. She lived in the real world, had been through shit she didn’t deserve. That meant she wasn’t blinded by the lights of my world.
She tilted her head, her eyes locked on mine. “I mean, I care aboutyou. The rest of it’s just noise.” Fuck. That hit somewhere deep. I didn’t even know people like her existed anymore. I certainly hadn’t met anyone for quite some time. Scratch that—I’dnevermet someone like Kate.
I took a deep sigh after that. “Most girls I’ve dated…they were more into the version of me in the news or media than the one who falls asleep at 8:30 and spends his mornings in a freezing ice bath.”
She hesitated, then said, her voice quiet and steady, “That’s a shame. Because I think I could really enjoy that version of you.” She paused. “I don’t know, maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to bemade to feel worthless, like I was only good enough when I served a purpose.”
I sat up a little, my jaw clenched.
“Kate,” I said, exhaling sharply.
She shook her head. “It’s okay. It was a long road back, but I’d rather be alone than feelthatworthless again.”
That word again.Worthless.It made something stir in me. Something protective, furious, fucking feral. I reached for her hand and held it. I had to make sure she felt it, my touch grounding her in the here and now. I wanted to rip the head off any idiot who made her feel that way before.
