Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
She shrugs, and I take that as a yes. Quickly, I clean up our trash and push the door open for her. Together, walking side by side, we make our way back to her work. She stops outside the Riggins Enterprises door and turns to face me.
“Thank you for lunch, Reid.”
“You’re welcome. Can I ask a small favor?”
“Depends.” She eyes me skeptically. “Ask, and I’ll tell you if I’m willing to help you.”
Here goes nothing.
“Can I have a hug?” I keep my eyes trained on her, hoping like hell she can see how badly I need her in my arms again. I hugged her when she got to the restaurant, but this time, I want her to grant me permission. I want her to see that she holds all the control. I’m just a man ready and willing for any amount of her time she’s willing to offer me. I wait patiently for her to answer me, and finally, she gives me a slight nod.
“Okay,” she replies. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a hint of longing in her tone. Her eyes lit up at my question. I know she has reservations, and while I respect her wishes, I also know that it’s mostly fear. I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep asking her to dinner and showing her that there’s more to us than one incredible night. I’ll show her that taking that leap and allowing me to be a part of her life won’t hurt her. I’ll never hurt her.
Fighting my grin, I say, “Come here.” Sliding my arm around her waist, I pull her into a hug. I hold tightly, breathing her in. She wants this as badly as I do; she’s just scared. I’ll show her. I’ll prove to her that there is nothing to be scared of. I’m all in with her.
“Let me know about this weekend,” I tell her as I release her.
She smiles and waves before disappearing inside. The walk back to my truck is short, and although I’m stoked to have had lunch with her, it wasn’t enough. I’m not sure any amount of time, not even forever, is long enough where Bellamy is concerned.
Chapter Ten
Reid
She’s not here. I’ve asked her every day since the day we had lunch together if she would come, and every single time, she told me that it’s not a good idea. It wasn’t a no, so I kept asking. I’m trying hard not to be salty about it. I understand where she’s coming from. I genuinely do, but how am I going to prove to her that I’m not her father if she doesn’t let me?
And dammit, I wanted her here today. I wanted her to get to know my friends. I know the girls have been texting her, and they’re planning on getting together while we’re away at training camp. I’m glad she’s going to be hanging out with them. I’m also man enough to admit that I’m jealous as hell that they get time with her.
“What’s going on?” Foster asks. He takes the lounger next to mine, stretching out his legs.
“Just taking it all in,” I tell him.
“You’re sitting over here in the corner all by yourself, moping.” He’s not pulling any punches, calling me out on my shit.
“I tried to get her to come today, but she refused.” There’s no need for me to elaborate about who I’m talking about. They all know I could only be talking about my dream girl.
“Ah.” Foster nods. “You’re really into this girl, huh?” he asks.
I laugh. “Yeah, you could say that.”
Foster doesn’t speak for a long time. The silence between us isn’t uncomfortable as we watch Knox, Corie, Rowan, and Landry play a game of chicken in the pool. Sloane is the self-appointed referee, while Baker has Camden in a floaty, tugging him around the shallow end. Camden’s laugh has my lips tilting in a grin. I love that little dude something fierce.
“If you want her, you have to keep trying,” Foster says, breaking the lull of silence. “You have to keep showing up.”
“You sound like you know something about that?” I ask. There’s something from his past, something he holds tightly to his chest. We don’t pressure him about it. He knows that we’re here for him when he’s ready to talk about her. Because sometimes there’s this pain in his eyes, and it could only be caused by a woman. Ironically, I’m placing some of that pressure on Bellamy. Not because I’m an asshole, but because I know my dream girl, and I want to help her over this fear of getting too close to an athlete. I’m not that man. I have my work cut out for me, and that’s fine. Hard work got me where I am today, and what is it that they say? Nothing worth having comes easy?