Page 123 of Cross Check

“People typically buy me dinner first.” I shift my legs so there’s room for him. “Hey, before we start watching the slasher film, I wanted to let you know I’m going to fly back to Denver the day after tomorrow.”

“Time to get back to reality, huh?”

“I have that meeting coming up, and with Riley heading home soon, I figured you’d want to be around your friends. Taking up space doesn’t feel right.”

“You never take up space.” Grant reaches over and squeezes my ankle. “I’ve really liked having you here.”

“And I’ve liked being here. But we’re already halfway through June, and life has to go on at some point, right?” I rest my elbow on the back of the couch. “It would be nice if we could pause time.”

“Or rewind it. I’d do a hundred things different if I had the ability to go into the past.”

“Yeah, but that’s dangerous. What if by altering one thing in the past, you’ve ruined everything in the future?”

“Some things would be worth giving up to have what I want.” His eyes slide from the remote to me. “I can’t be an athlete forever.”

The undercut of his words has me sure there’s a secret hidden there. A secret that has to do with me, and the tension between us draws taut. I drop my eyes to his mouth, to the curve of his lips I’ve never noticed before. There’s a tiny scar on his cheek, a faint white line I want to press my thumb into.

I lean forward, wondering what he tastes like. Sweet, I bet. A nice guy who would do things in a nice way. We’ve been playing house so well, and this could be playing too. A cosmic happening that doesn’t have to exist once I leave.

His exhale is hoarse. Flimsy, as if he’s barely hanging on to his restraint. His hand twitches on the couch like he’s trying to stop himself from moving it, and for once, I don’t want him to.

Touch me, I want to scream. So I can know what it’s like and you can put me out of this misery.

“Lia,” he breathes out. My name is a tendril of ecstasy. I feel it everywhere, my desire running rampant as I picture him saying it into my neck, the curve of my knee. Right between my legs. “Can I⁠—”

Grant’s phone rings, and we jump apart. He reaches for it, pressing it to his ear while still looking at me. The moment fades, and I move to the safety of the corner of the couch.

“What’s up, Mav?” he answers.

There’s silence while he listens. Grant nods along to whatever Maverick is saying. He pulls a leather notebook out of his pocket, tucking it between the cushions. I wonder what he writes in there.

The two talk for a few minutes. I distract myself with the blanket draped over the arm of the couch, not wanting to eavesdrop on a private conversation. When they hang up, Grant tosses his phone on the table.

“Sorry about that,” he says.

“Don’t apologize for talking to your friends,” I say, glad for the safer ground where I’m not thinking about kissing him.

“Mav is trying to coordinate when we’re going to see Riley for the first time. He thinks a couple weeks from now will give Riley some time to get adjusted to his new routine at home. We don’t want to come on too strong.” Grant pauses and rubs his thumb along the line of his jaw. “Can I tell you my secret of the day?”

“I can’t wait to hear it.”

“I’m not sure I would have made it through these past few days if you hadn’t been here. I’d still be holed up in my bedroom, not eating or drinking or wanting to see anyone. You put some life back in me, Lia, and I’m so glad for it.”

“Can I tell you my secret of the day?” I ask.

“Always.”

“I know I told you this already, but I don’t want to go two months without talking again. I’m sorry I went quiet for a while. I needed to figure some things out, and we’re not going to play the silent game anymore.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.” Grant lifts his hand, holding up his pinky. “Swear on it.”

“I swear.” I hook my finger around his. “Never again.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He drops his palm. I want him to come back. “Now it’s time for some murder.”

My leg is asleep.

So is my arm, and my entire body is hot.