Page 79 of Penalty Shot

Elise snorts adorably. “Regional theaters don’t roll out red carpets.”

“They should!” I exclaim, appalled.

She smiles and scoots closer. My fingers find the back of her neck and my lips fuse with hers. When we come up for air, she sighs.

“I won’t have time to be with you. I’ll hardly be home,” Elise says regretfully.

“I’ll be here when you do have time. Someone’s got to get your bra off.”

She giggles. “You sure you’re not missing anything with work and stuff?”

“No more than I’d miss you,” I blurt before I can stop myself. The words are true, but the sentiment is alien. I’ve never felt this attached to a person before.

Am I coming across as desperate? Fuck, I don’t want to scare her off.

“I’d love for you to stay,” she mumbles, appeasing my stress.

Within minutes and without knowing how much her words mean to me, Elise falls asleep.

I run my fingers through her thick, wavy hair. Her pretty features soften as she’s pulled into deep slumber. Everything falls away because I’m suddenly overwhelmed.

A deep longing settles in my bones when I realize I want to watch her fall asleep every night.

No, that’s not even the full truth.

This isn’t about sharing a bed. I want to share a home and build a life with the woman in front of me.

I didn’t just make love to Elise. I’m in love with her.

Those words should shock me, but they represent a recognition instead of a revelation. As in,no shit Haughland.

I’ve never fallen in love before, so I’m slow on the uptake, but what else would I call spending every conscious momentwanting to be with her? Some unconscious moments, too, if you count all the times she’s occupied my dreams.

This is no longer a choice between sex or friendship. She is simply my person and I’m hers.

Does she feel the same way?

Should I ask?

Wait, what exactly is my question?

Hey, Elise, I know you said you weren’t into commitment, but since you’re cool with me sleeping over now does that mean we can throw all the rules out?

When she wakes in the morning, will she want me the way I want her?

She’s gone by the time I wake up at nearly eleven in the morning. My body is less sore overall, yet my stomach is clenched, because why would she leave without waking me?

Before I can continue brooding like an abandoned puppy, my phone rings. I lunge for it and am disappointed to find the call is from Aurora Diaz, my agent. We hadn’t spoken since before the Mavericks lost game seven, so I’m not surprised she’s calling.

I send it to voicemail.

Aurora:This is important! Call me back!

Aurora:I can tell you read that text so CALL ME!

The last time she sounded this eager, it was to announce a “puck-it-up” campaign for a vacuum cleaner company. Hard pass.

I told her reach out when something cool came up, like if the Chevy folks want me to show off the newest Corvette Stingray. I freaking love that car.