Page 56 of Third Strike Smitten

I’ve always been smart. You just never noticed because you were too busy staring at my ass on the mound and heckling me about my strong form.

I laugh, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. This is why I like talking to Killian. He somehow manages to make even the heaviest conversations feel lighter.

Me

Your form isn’t strong. It’s adequate at best.

Killian

Adequate? Ouch. You’re cruel, Coach. You know that?

Me

You love it.

The three dots appear and disappear several times before his next message comes through.

Killian

Maybe I do.

Something warm flutters inside my stomach at those three words. I take a sip of my forgotten wine, trying to ignore the feeling.

Me

So, what would you say? If you had to give a speech about surviving something?

Killian

I’d say that surviving isn’t the same as living. And that sometimes the hardest part isn’t the thing that almost kills you, but what comes after.

His words hit me somewhere deep. I stare at my phone, suddenly very aware of my heartbeat.

Me

That’s...actually really good.

Killian

I have my moments. When I’m not being an ass.

Me

So, you’re admitting you’re an ass?

Killian

I’m admitting I can be one. There’s a difference.

Me

A significant difference, I’m sure.

Killian

Huge. So, are you going to write your speech now or just keep texting me all night?

I glance at the blinking cursor on my laptop screen. The blank page still stares back at me, but somehow it feels less intimidating now.