Page 49 of The Score We Never Settled

It wasn’t that I necessarily thought it was vital that I went out on one, but that I needed to finally get past Briggs Kerrigan being the last man I kissed.

That, stupidly, was the first thing I thought of when he asked.

Not because I thought he was cute—which he is—or that it would be an experience I could pass up—the jury is still outon that one—but because Briggs Holden freakin’ Kerrigan came blazing into my head like a damn tornado.

Which is fitting, because he’s on a team with a bunch of them.

“I’m really glad you came out with me tonight,” he states through our silence. “I’m hopin’ we can do it again because there’s a shrimp place I think you’ll love.”

“I’d like that.”

“That’s disappointing to hear, Mrs. Kerrigan,” a deep, grating male voice returns, and it’snotmy date’s. “And here I was thinkin’ you’d wait for me.”

My focus is so intense that it does not give my brain and body so much as a moment to prepare myself for what happens next.

No, it just acknowledges it because I can never seem to help myself either way.

Standing at the end of our booth is none other than Briggs Kerrigan.

As if I just manifested him out of thin air because I didn’t want him to be my last anything, and he had to comefixthat.

He’s wearing a black baseball hat with “TT” embroidered in burgundy on it, but underneath, it doesn’t soften the glare directed my way for obvious reasons.

I’m on a date.

He won’t allow me to move on.

And I’ve been ratted out.

The only two people who knew about this dinner were Fallon and Zoe.

However, Fallon’s voice isn’t what I would considerinsidebecause she gets so damn excited about things that it carries.

However, we were walkingoutsidewhen I told her the news of the latest in my life.

So, whoever heard it—I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.

This is ludicrous at its best.

“You’re Briggs Kerrigan.”

Oh, for the love of God, who cares?

I steal a glance over at Hunter, who looks up at him in sheer awe. Like God just happened to come down to pay us a little visit during a steak dinner.

Not the man who just interrupted it.

“Don’t know him,” Briggs deadpans, his attention still locked and loaded on me. “Would you excuse us?”

“We’re on a date.”

There you go, Hunter. Come back to Earth.

“Date’s over.” Briggs suddenly snaps his fingers and demands Hunter’s dismissal before he starts to remove him himself.

“Briggs,” I warn as calmly and simply as I can.

Meanwhile, my heart is racing in my chest because how am I supposed to explain this?