Page 183 of Made Better Together

“I missed you so much,” I say from within his hold.

“Me too. No more pauses. Ever.”

We break apart slowly. “Agreed.” I look down at my clothes. “Is this alright?” I’m wearing a loose blue blouse over thin white jeans.

“You look beautiful. It’s perfect. We’re only hanging with family tonight, anyway. They’re very excited for your initiation in the Battle clan gatherings.”

I smile reflexively. “Me too.”

“Before we head to Landon’s house, I thought we’d visit an old haunt, be alone for a bit?”

“Old haunt?”

He winks. “You’ll see what I mean…”

After starting the car, he swings around a few corners, still on campus, before coming to a stop—at Tolliver’s park.

“Oh!”

He turns off the car and gives me a grin. “The last talk we had here went so well, I thought we’d roll it back.”

“Where it all began…”

“Well, one of the times it began.”

I giggle. “Right. I guess if you were feeling really adventurous, you could have brought me to the park in Bree’s development.”

He chuckles, grabbing my hand. “So your flight was okay? Sorry I couldn’t pick you up, with practice.”

“Yes, I slept a lot of the time. Read a bit.”

“Reading for research?” His lips turn up.

“Not this time…it’s a sweet second chance romance with no kink involved.”

“Hmm, it kind of feels like we had our own second chance.” He inches closer to me, now leaning against the armrest dividing us.

“Or a hundredth chance,” I joke, making him laugh.

“Truth.”

“How was practice?”

“After the win last week, the division clinched, you’d think everyone would be hyped and happy.” His answer has nothing to do with us, but his eyes tell a different story, scanning my face and landing at my lips. “Instead, the intensity was raised even higher. Everyone wants that first round bye.”

“Yes, well, a win on Thursday, and that’ll be done.”

I press my fingers against his hand. Reconnecting physically, despite the fact we’re discussing football. Three weeks without his touch…even the basic contact sends tingles up my arm.

“Exactly.” His face inches even closer.

“I…I picked my spring semester classes today.”

His other hand comes around to stroke the side of my hair. “Did you? What did you choose?” His voice soft.

“I’ll have my capstone again, but otherwise I’m free to pick what I want. I went with Immunology, Global Public Health, and an elective that’s supposed to be a blast, Social Media’s Impact on Pop Culture.”

His hand lands on the ends of my hair, softly gripping them. “Sounds perfect, Rosy.”