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Kevin: Can’t wait to see.
FIVE
TYLER
My reflection stared back—navy button-down, dark jeans. I’d told Kevin that I cleaned up good for a date. But I second guessed myself as I looked through the clothes in my closet. I didn’t need a game day suit. Casual dressy was the answer.
After consulting with Shane, we’d decided on this shirt. He said it made my eyes pop, and he wouldn’t steer me wrong.
Tonight was a big deal. Our first real date. Not stir fry here. Not pizza at Kevin’s place. Not a rushed coffee before practice.
Dinner. Out. Where people who were not our teammates would see us.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Kevin: On my way. Be there in 10.
A grin stretched across my face, involuntary and immediate.
Kevin: Door’s open when you arrive.
Anticipation hummed under my skin as I stood in the kitchen, scrolling through sports headlines and not paying attention to any of them.
A soft knock and the door opened. My heart sped up as I pocketed the phone.
Kevin stepped inside. “Hey.” His smile set off flutters in my chest.
He was handsome decked out in charcoal slacks, a forest green sweater that set off his dark eyes. His hair was styled just slightly different, like he’d spent more time than usual getting it the way he wanted.
His gaze traveled over me as he approached, slow, appreciative.
“Hi.” I paused, continuing to take him in. “You look amazing.”
A faint flush climbed up his neck. “So do you.”
We stood there. Staring.
Then he closed the distance. His hand cupped my jaw. His mouth met mine. It was familiar and comfortable, and I needed it more than I expected.
Home.
He was home.
The thought blindsided me. I couldn’t tell him that. At least not yet.
Instead, I sank into the kiss, hands finding the soft wool of his sweater, the solid muscle beneath.
“I’ve been looking forward to doing that all day.” His lips brushed mine.
“Just that?” My hands slid under the sweater, along his back, hungry for the contact.
He laughed, a low sound that vibrated against my chest. “We have reservations. We start anything else, we won’t get to dinner.”
“Tragic.” Reluctantly, I stepped away, grabbing my keys and wallet. “Let’s go. This life-changing pasta better live up to the hype.”
The drive to the North End was easy. We talked practice, tomorrow’s game, bullshit jokes. Kevin navigated the narrow cobblestone streets like he’d lived here longer than two months. He found a parking spot a couple of blocks away.
“Mind walking?” He killed the engine. “Parking’s hell.”
