Page 63 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

Just kiss him. Find out how good it would be.

It’s okay to lose yourself every now and then.

Run. Run away.

Men are nothing but disappointments. And anyway, who’s to say he can be the one to “fix” you?

You might be disappointed this time.

“Fuck,” I hiss before slipping away from him and rushing into my apartment.

“The guys have a game Saturday night,” Calvin says, his voice sending a rush of tingles through me. “I’m not going, obviously. But…I wondered…would you…would you like to watch it with me? We can…hang out?”

The nervousness in his tone is the only thing that has me turning to look at him.

I just catch the end of him running his fingers through his hair.

“Obviously, if you already have plans then⁠—”

“I’d love to,” I find myself saying before I’ve really had a chance to process his invitation.

The most incredible smile appears.

“Yeah?” he asks as if he didn’t hear me correctly.

I nod, confirming my answer despite the nerves that assault me.

“Okay, cool. It’s a d-date,” he stutters, a frown pinching his brows.

“It’s not a date. It’s a game,” I correct.

“Right. Yeah. Of course. I don’t date.”

“No. You don’t.”

His mouth opens like he wants to say something else, but he closes it again before any words appear.

“I’ll see you soon. Thanks for all your help tonight; I really appreciate it.”

He nods. “Anytime. If you need me, I’ll be right upstairs.”

One side of my mouth curls into a smile before I remind him, “Don’t make too much noise.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Night,” I shoot over my shoulder before letting my door fall closed.

For the briefest of moments, I wish he’d say, “Fuck this,” swing my door back open, storm in, and sweep me off my feet. But then I remember that I don’t live in a rom-com, and I force the image from my head.

Instead of doing any of that, Calvin just rasps a, “Night, darlin’,” before the door falls closed, finally cutting us off.

I come to a stop at my kitchen island and just stare down at the cheesecake. My mouth waters, but I fear it might not be for the dessert, but for the man I just left in the hallway.

You did the right thing.

Inviting him in and risking anything happening would be stupid.

Hell, agreeing to watch the game with him was stupid, but that didn’t stop me from saying yes.