Page 49 of Quarterback Sneak

“You don’t ever go for a run or a jog?”

She eyes me over the chicken. “Does it look like I have a runner’s body?” She puts up a hand. “Nope, don’t answer that. I’m happy with my curves.” My phone dings with a text. “Okay, send that to your man.”

“He’s not my man.” But I open my phone and download the picture she sent me. It’s just a picture of my feet in the new sneakers. They look so good, I can’t help but smile. Without overthinking it, I send the picture to Zane.

Me-these shoes are amazing! Thank you!

Me-you shouldn’t have done that

Me-Tessa and I looked them up. They’re like a three hundred dollar pair of shoes!

Me-that's insane!

He texts back.

Zane-do you like them?

I bite my lip as I text.

Me-I love them!

Zane-good

Me-thank you

I pause a minute and then commit.

Me-Seriously, that was way too much. You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve been so good to me.

Zane-I got the muffins and granola bars for the mornings you don’t get a chance to eat.

I wait a minute to text him.

Me-why are you doing all this?

My phone rings, startling me. I look down at it and panic. “It’s him.”

“Zane?” Tessa asks.

“Yes.”

“Answer it,” she urges, eyes wide.

“What do I say?”

She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. In all fairness, I have. By the time I psych myself up to answer, it ends. Tessa smacks her hand against her forehead.

“What do I do?” I ask.

“Oh my word. Call the man back. He just dropped like four hundred dollars on you. I think the least you can do is answer the phone.”

Feeling appropriately chastised, I call him back before I give myself a chance to overthink it. As soon as he picks up, I blurt out, “I’m sorry. I panicked,”

His low chuckle sends a shiver through me, and I meet Tessa’s wide eyes. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I’m quiet a beat because I don’t know what to say. “Was it too much?” he asks in a voice that’s way too sexy for me. “Quint said I was going to scare you away.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so I ask the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Why did you do it?”

“I think that should be obvious by now, Evie.” I hold my breath in the silence. “I’m interested in you, Evie, probablyway more than you’re ready for right now.” My wide eyes meet Tessa’s because I can’t believe he just said all that.