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“We don’t tell anyone.”

“I think everyone already knows,” he murmurs, glancing over to where Simon and Blaze aren’t even pretending that they’re not trying to eavesdrop.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I look up and give Blaze a death glare. Then I put my hands on my hips. “Everyone listen up—yes, we’re going out on a date. Okay? Everyone happy? Now you can stop being nosy and leave us alone.”

Simon murmurs a playful apology while Blaze cracks up. Allora winks at me, and Grim just smiles politely.

“Geez, what a bunch of busybodies!” I shake my head.

“Hey, I didn’t tell anyone except Simon.”

I grimace. “Okay, yes. I told Serena.”

“Uh huh.” He chuckles, waiting patiently, as if he knows instinctively there are more people.

“And Blaze.”

“That was probably your first mistake.” He seems more amused than anything else.

“And Reid.”

“That might have been your second.”

“And Serena told Allora.”

“Which means Grim knows.”

“And Lacy knows.”

“So Chris knows too. You can’t hide things from your bodyguard.”

I groan, hanging my head. “My bad. I’m sorry.”

He shrugs. “Not a big deal. I didn’t want to talk about it because I was worried about how it would look to people. I don’t really care what they think of me but you’re my teammate’s sister—I didn’t want you to get caught up in some kind of drama or gossip. The WAGs can be brutal if they don’t like you.”

It’s actually kind of sweet that he’s worried about my reputation with the other ladies.

“Are you being gallant?” I ask softly.

“I have moments of gallant. I don’t think it’s my default, though.”

I chuckle. “So…dinner?”

“Next week?”

“I’ll need to look at the calendar but that should work out. Maybe Wednesday.”

“Let’s exchange numbers and you can text me when you know for sure.”

“Deal.” I get out my phone and plug in his information.

My heart is suddenly beating a little faster and there’s a bounce to my step.

I honestly didn’t think we’d ever see each other again, much less go out on a real date, but now that it’s happening, it feels right.

Like this was always supposed to happen.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part, but Allora was probably right when she said that sometimes you just know. It was nothing but chemistry and pure lust the night we met but I wouldn’t have snuck out like that if I wasn’t afraid of being rejected. It’s easier when you’re the one that leaves, that says no, that sticks to your guns.