Page 93 of The Surprise Play

I want a chance to make her giggle again, the way I did yesterday.

I want to hear her voice as she tells me about her life.

I want toknowabout her life.

And I want her to get a bigger peek into mine.

Pulling out my football with a grin, I spin it in my palm before standing up and getting her attention. “Heads ups, Satch.”

I lightly flick the ball, spiraling it toward her, and she yelps and jumps away from it like I’ve just thrown a live grenade.

CHAPTER 28

ELIZABETH

Aw, crap. Why did I do that?

I am such a loser!

Humiliation burns me as I watch the ball dribble across the grass.

Wily’s laughter is a soft chuckle as he jogs past me to collect it. Scooping the ball into his large hand, he rests it against his side and smiles at me. “It’s not gonna bite you, Satch.”

“Sorry.” I wince, glancing behind me at the gorgeous picnic setup. My gosh, he’s gone to so much effort for this, and I really don’t want to ruin his plans, but… “I’m not good at PE or anything to do with balls.”

He snickers and dips his chin.

And I register what I just said.

My eyes bulge in horror.

Oh shit! Could I be any more embarrassing?

The urge to bolt overwhelms me and I turn, spying the tunnel we came in through and wondering if I can find my way back to the parking lot. My phone’s in mycoat pocket—I could order an Uber and head back to my room, where I can bury myself under the covers and pray for a swift end to my humiliation.

But before I can take a step, Wily jumps in front of me, holding up the football. “You can catch this, you know.”

I shake my head.

He snorts. “Just like I’m not capable of writing an essay, right?”

She tips her head and gives me a pained frown. “You are capable of writing an essay.”

“And you’re capable of catching this ball. You just need to not be afraid of it.” Taking my hands, he cups them around the ball. “Like this.” He adjusts my fingers and then pushes the ball against my chest. “So, it’s gonna come at you, and you grab it and pull it in like that. Try it.”

He pulls my hands and the ball away from my body and then pushes them back, and I kind of hug it to my chest.

“That’s it.” He grins. “Okay, now fire it my way.”

He’s standing like a foot away from me, so I just hold the ball out for him to take.

His laughter is that soft chuckle again as he takes it and shuffles back a few more paces. “Ready?”

“No.” I hold my hands up, and he gives me a look that makes me change my answer. “Yes?”

“That’s my girl. Okay, here we go.”

His girl. The words flush through me like a warm breeze, my lips twitching as the tingles inside me swirl from my belly to my chest.