Page 34 of Beg Me

“You know what.”

She grins playfully. “You’re right. My apologies.” She opens the door to her car. “I’ll see ya around.”

“I’ll see ya around,” I reply as she pauses to look at me. “Dinner is usually around seven …”

She laughs as she gets into the driver’s seat. “Good night, Jory.”

“Night, Markie.”

I step back as she pulls away from the curb and watch until she’s out of sight.

My shoulders sink as I blow out a breath, attempting to settle the energy rioting in my body. This woman throws me for a loop. Every time I see her, she adds another layer to the mix. She’s not just beautiful or interesting. She’s smart. Hardworking. Kind.

Is she really this exciting, or has it been too long since I’ve gotten laid?

“Probably both,” I say, turning around and heading inside.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

Markie

“It’s a beautiful day,” I sing, turning onto Park Road.

My fingertips tap against the steering wheel to the beat of the song playing on the radio. The sun is bright, nearly blinding me, but I don’t care. I flip my visor down with gusto and a smile.

I’ve waited for this day for weeks—really, since the end of the championship match last year.

Nothing gets me as hyped as the Sugar Days tournament. It’s a tradition that I remember my mother getting so excited about when I was a child. The festival felt like magic, like a few days of fair food and Skee-Ball and staying up past my bedtime. And now, every year when the carnival begins to filter into town, I feel the excitement in the air. For a few days, everything feels the way it’s supposed to be.

Almost like my mother’s smiling down on me.

I chuckle. She’d definitely have something to say about my competitive streak.

As expected, a few people are already on the courts. I pull up next to a red car and put it in park. I have a few minutes before Adam arrives, so I take out my phone.

Me: What are you doing today?

Nettie’s reply comes immediately.

Nettie: I just woke up. It felt good to sleep in. What about you?

Me: Practicing with Adam in a few. Wanna hang out tonight? I miss you.

Nettie: YES. I was going to call you later after I woke up and had coffee. I have nothing going on all day, and it’s divine. What are you thinking? Night in with a movie or night out with a martini?

Me: Martini. Patsy’s around nine?

Nettie: I’ll see you then.

Me: xoxoxoxo

I look up … and right into the eyes of Jasper. He’s staring through the windshield at me as if he’s not surprised to see me, but the fake smile he flashes my way before he turns to the court tells me everything I need to know.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

My body tenses as he gets situated across from a pretty blonde about my height. She drops the ball and hits it across the court into the opposite service box with genuine skill, showing she’s done this a million times. Like they’ve done this a million times.