End Game (Bellevue Bullies 4)

“How do you know that?” I ask her. “Because I haven’t found someone to be in a relationship with, that means I don’t do them?”

Her eyes narrow. “You’ve said you don’t have time for one.”

“I don’t, but maybe I’m ready to make time for one.”

“Okay, how am I supposed to know that?”

“Easy. You ask, or you don’t say anything. You’re supposed to talk me up, not down.”

An uncomfortable silence stretches between us, and I can tell that Sofia wants to slide under the table. Amelia, though, is in fight mode. “I didn’t mean to talk you down, for one. And for two, I’m not gonna waste my breath on someone who obviously isn’t into you.”

We both look to Sofia, and she just blinks. “I’m not.”

“She’s lying,” I say back to my fuming sister. “And that’s fine. I’ll get her to admit it. But in the meantime, stop talking bad about me.”

Amelia is gazing at Sofia who is glaring at me. “But she’s right. It’s waste of breath.”

“I don’t think it is.” Holding her gaze, I smile. “How are your legs?”

Her eyes widen more before she looks away. She shrugs, running her hand down the one that bled the most this morning. “They’re fine.”

“Did they give you problems at practice?”

She scoffs. “Never.”

“I didn’t think so,” I say as I get up, and then I notice she has an Intro to Business book beside her. I tap it with my finger. “Business major?”

She nods, her eyes on the book. “Yeah.”

“Opening your own gym one day?”

Her eyes meet mine, astonishment filling them. “Yes, actually.”

I grin. “I think that’s a great idea,” I say, and then I notice she’s drinking a coffee. “I would have bought that for you.”

She looks down at it and then back at me, her eyes wide and unsure. “I didn’t plan on coming here—”

“No need to make an excuse. It’s cool. I’ll get you here. With me.” Her lips part a bit, and I smile as my heart pounds hard and steady in my chest. “You look really pretty tonight.”

She doesn’t look away this time, but her face fills with color. “Um, thanks.”

I look back to my sister, who is still looking at Sofia, a perplexed bend to her brows. “Your dress is too short,” I tell Amelia.

She glares up at me, pulling at the hem of her too-short dress. “It is not!”

“It is,” I say. “But like always, you’re beautiful.”

Her lips curve. “I still don’t like you.”

“Same here,” I say, flashing her a grin.

I turn my gaze to Sofia. She’s watching me, her eyes dark as I turn on my dazzling smile. The one that gets me out of all sorts of trouble. Or into trouble. Depends on the situation.

Though I’m pretty sure of her answer, I ask, “Wanna get a cup tomorrow? After your run?”

Her gaze stays on mine, her lips in a straight line. “I’m not running tomorrow.”

“Taking the morning off?”

“Yeah, I’m doing yoga instead.”

Shorts, Sofia, ass, bending.

Be still, cock. Be still.

“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll ask you again tomorrow.”

She smiles. “And I’ll turn you down.”

“Which doesn’t worry me one bit,” I say as I start to back up. “You ladies have a good night. Be safe.”

And when I turn, my pride is intact.

Because I’ll get her to say yes.

No doubt about that.