Page 79 of Not On Your Life

I tip my head back, peering up at him. I may have forgiven him, but I’m still working on the forgetting part. “I don’t know, Connor.”

He nods like he can understand the thoughts going through my head better than I can.

“I know I haven’t earned your trust, but I would like a chance with you, Maddie.” His hold on my waist tightens. “I promise I’ll never hurt you again.”

“Okay.” I can give him a chance. What’s the worst that could happen?

Chapter 26

Connor

Fighting with Maddie: enjoyable, fun, entertaining.

Kissing Maddie: life-altering, addicting, pure euphoria.

I’m so out of sorts driving home I accidentally stop for tacos. Alright, so it wasn’t an accident. I was really hungry.

After all, Maddie is a very good trainer.

Uh oh, did I pay to make out with her? That’s a legal issue waiting to happen.

This is it, the chance I’ve been waiting for since law school. A shot with Maddie.

I push through the door to my house, humming whatever ridiculous song was on the radio while I unload the tacos.

“Tacos and singing. Someone’s happy.” Millie scoots up next to me, peeking into the bags, Sean and Gus barking at her heels.

“Go ahead. I got enough to share.”

“Thanks!” She grabs two. “You really are happy. Care to fill me in?”

I study her eyes. They aren’t swollen like they have been the last two days, but she’s still fragile. I don’t want to parade my happiness around her, and she seems to sense that.

“Come on, spit it out.”

I take a bite of my taco, savoring the cilantro and lime perfection. I chew slowly, to her annoyance then swallow. “I kissed Maddie.”

She lifts an unimpressed brow. “Against her will?”

“Of course not.”

Her face morphs into a giant grin. “It’s happening!” She screeches so loud both puppies start whining. She drops a chunk of carne asada for each of them and they instantly calm down.

“Geez, woman, what was that for?” I don’t know why she’s surprised. She was the one who told me all those years ago the reason I tormented Maddie was because I liked her.

“Well I…” She shakes her head. “I mean, of course I wanted this for you, but I never,neverthought a woman like her would go for you.”

I stop chewing. “Wow, thanks.”

She laughs. “No really, I’m happy for you.” She polishes off her first taco before unwrapping for her second. “So how official is it?”

That’s the one problem. “Well, it’s not. She’s giving me a chance, though.”

She aims a taco at my chest. “Don’t screw it up.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, coach.”

“So, what are you going to do?”