Page 63 of Penalty Kick

“Can I get a selfie?” the fan asked, her phone already whipped out and ready.

“Sure,” Dash said, pushing up out of the booth. Cool air hit Talia, making her miss him against her. “But then we do need to get back to brunch with our girls. They are the priority this morning.”

“Awww, I love that! Just one more reason to love this team. Y’all are such sweethearts.”

They are the priority…

Talia couldn’t help but swoon at the statement, much like the fan. Only difference, Talia was better at hiding it. Especially after her ten seconds of doubt. Doubt she shouldn’t have had. Dash was serious about her. There was no way he would have told her he’d wait for forever if that’s what she wanted. He would have bolted otherwise. Plenty of other men would have.

Plenty of other men also wouldn’t have thought to ask how she was feeling this morning. She had almost lied to him—letting him know that she was totally fine—until he’d outright asked if she was sore or hurting in any other way. She’d still been embarrassed to admit it, but that too had melted away when he’d wrapped her in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Our girls…” Avery muttered, loud enough so only Talia could hear her. Eyes lifting just enough from her phone, Avery waggled her brows, a knowing smirk taking over. “You’re his girl.”

“Yup.” Talia popped the p on her response, sassing her roommate right back.

“Not even going to try to deny it?”

Talia shrugged. “I told you, things have changed. So, yeah…I’m his girl. He’s my guy.”

The words felt good to say out loud. She was his and he was hers. What that meant long-term, Talia had no idea. But right here, right now, she didn’t care. Everything else—jobs, schedules, school…all of it—was secondary to the way he made her feel. Like she could accomplish anything. Having Dash by her side didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to be able to focus on everything she wanted to do. Because he wanted to support her in all those things—the Unified team, her combined degree program, all of it.

“So, lots of double dates, yes?”

“If I can fit them in. School starts again in a week, and my schedule is going to be tight.”

“And those might be triple dates,” Liam added, slipping back into the booth.

Dash followed, giving the fan another wave goodbye. Talia’s heart jumped as he scooted in, his thigh resting up against hers. Her whole body seemed to relax now that he was back. Resting his hand on her thigh, Dash gave it a little squeeze, followed by a kiss on the cheek. The small gestures made her insides flip, meaning the world to her. She liked being his.

“Triple?” Avery questioned.

“Chance and Delaney,” he reminded her.

“I should see if she wants to come hang out with me at Bunz while you guys are in Portland this coming weekend,” Talia said, thinking out loud. She remembered what it was like when first moving to Atlanta and not knowing anyone. Delaney had Chance, but with the team’s travel schedule, she would probably like having a friend who wasn’t gone every time there was an away game.

“You are not coming to Portland?” Dash asked.

“Nope. Classes start that following Monday, so a week from tomorrow. I didn’t think it was a good idea to travel the weekend before. Plus, it’s going to be a busy weekend at Bunz. I don’t know a lot about your sport, but I do know that this game coming up is a big deal, and that means we’ll be slammed. Like, all weekend. I can make, like, half my rent payment in one shift on weekends like that.”

“I was looking forward to celebrating our win with you,” Dash said. The seductive look in his eye made it clear exactly what kind of celebrating he was talking about, and Talia couldn’t help but smile. She’d been hoping for another round this morning, before the wake-up “call,” and still thought that maybe they could find a time this week for more. Hopefully by then she’d be less sore.

“Maybe we can still find a way.” Talia winked at Dash, earning a panty-melting smile. One that was very different from the one he’d given the fan a moment ago.

Maybe he does have different smiles…

“So, speaking of school,” Liam chimed in, very obviously trying to change the topic. “When do you find out about that special program?”

“I should know the week after Labor Day. I think it’s a little weird that it’s not the start of classes, but I guess they have to make sure everyone shows up for the semester. There’s this whole thing where the students who are accepted are personally invited by the professor who will be their advisor. I’m really nervous though. I can reapply next year if I’m not accepted, but things will be a lot easier if I get in now.”

“You have this, I know you do,” Dash said. He squeezed her thigh again. Fuck, that felt good. She was liking having him this close way too much.

Actually, she was liking everything about this brunch. It felt good to be out and about, the four of them, doing something normal. Just a group of friends having a meal. If this was part of what the future held with Dash, Talia was all signed up.

Their waitress showed up, dropping off their food. Their conversation continued to flow as they ate, one joke rolling right after the other. For the first time since the season began, Talia was starting to wish she was traveling to an away game instead of staying back. She was going to miss Dash, something she had never expected to feel.

After they finished their meal, Avery and Liam made their excuses—something about a video call to Ireland—rushing off home.

“Do you have to work today?” Dash asked, slipping his hand in hers as they walked back to her apartment.