“We did it!” she cheers. All too quickly, she’s leaving my embrace, but that’s okay. I got to hold her for just the smallest amount of time, which was more than I needed to know that I need to see her again. I open my mouth to tell her that exact thing when an older gentleman sitting behind us commands her attention. I step up close, and it takes everything I have in the way of willpower not to place my hands on her hips and pull her close.
Finally, they end their conversation, and she and Willow both begin to gather their trash. “Thank you for the snacks and the company,” Paisley says politely.
“And the kiss,” Willow adds, with a wicked grin.
“That too.” Paisley nods.
“I’ll walk you out,” I tell them.
“No. That’s okay. It was nice meeting you, Cameron.”
“Hey.” I reach out and grab her arm gently. “Can I see you again?” I sound desperate even to my own ears, and maybe I am.
“Do you believe in fate, Cameron?”
“Never really thought about it,” I admit.
“Not many do.”
“Do you believe in fate, Paisley?” I shoot her question back to her.
“Not so much, but Willow here, she’s a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”
“Okay?” I’m not really sure what she’s getting at here.
“If we meet again, it was meant to be.” She shocks the hell out of me when she goes up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks again,” she says before rushing up the steps.
Like the fool that I am, I stand here and watch her go. By the time I realize I’m letting her just walk away from me without a last name or even her phone number, I jump into action and sprint up the steps, stepping around everyone who happens to be in my way. I reach the top, and my eyes skim everywhere, but there is no sign of her.
“Fuck,” I mumble under my breath.
“You never should have let her walk away,” a gravelly voice says from behind me. It’s the old man she was talking to.
“Do you know her last name?” I ask.
“I do.”
“What do I need to do to get that information from you?”
“Nothing. I’m not giving it to you. If she wanted you to have it, she would have told you.”
“Come on. I’m one of the good guys, I promise.” I say the words and realize I sound like a creeper.
The old man chuckles and runs his hands over his graying beard. “I’m sure you are, but I’ve watched that girl grow up. She’s no relation, but she feels like family. So, I’m sorry to say I can’t help you. I heard her mention something about fate. All you can do, son, is hope and pray that fate is on your side and you see her again.”
With that sage advice, he walks away. I’m left standing here like a fool as I mentally kick my own ass for letting her go—the best kiss of my entire life. The best day I’ve had with a woman to date, and I just let her go. What if she was my future wife? Pissed at myself, I make my way out to the parking lot. Every woman I pass with a ball cap and Blaze tank gets an extra careful look as I hope to find her in the sea of people.
It turns out luck isn’t on my side.
Chapter 3
Paisley
It’s been two full weeks since the Blaze game that rocked my universe on its axis. It’s also been two weeks that I’ve been able to avoid my dad. My excuse was work. As the new athletic trainer for the Tennessee Blaze, it was believable. However, my luck has run out as I stare down at the text message I just received.
Mom: Dinner at our place tonight.
Me: What if I had plans?
Mom: You can’t avoid your father forever, Paisley.
Me: Fine. I’m bringing Willow.
Mom: She’s always welcome.
Me: What time?
Mom: I’ll have dinner ready at six.
Me: Okay.
There is no use in arguing with her because I know she’s right. Dad has been calling me, and I’ve used the excuse that either I’m too busy or too exhausted to talk. I know he can see right through me, but it’s bought me some time. It’s bad enough that I know he’s calling to talk about the guy I was, in his words, “all over at that game,” two weeks ago. I already can’t stop thinking about Cameron and that kiss. The way he held my face as if I was important to him—the soft yet firm press of his lips. And then there’s the hand holding. I didn’t know that it was possible to fantasize about holding someone’s hand. Not even in my younger years did that happen.
It’s not just that. It’s the deep timbre of his voice, the way he filled out that T-shirt, the muscles, and his tattoos. Cameron Taylor is the total package and kisses like he’s been trained to do so. I can’t tell you how many nights in the past two weeks I’ve fallen asleep thinking about him and waking up the same way. Actually, that’s not true. I can tell you. Every damn night he’s with me.
I admit not getting his last name for myself or his phone number was a stupid mistake on my part. I’ve heard Willow talk about fate and how that’s her plan to find the love of her life. Her plan is to shamelessly flirt until then. Not that I think Cameron is the love of my life. I mean, I guess he could have been, but my dumbass walked away without a way to get ahold of him. Not my best decision.
However, as it turns out, the media found him for me. He’s a player for the Tennessee Outlaws, the Blaze farm team. I have the connections and the resources to find him, to reach out to him, but something is holding me back. I almost want to leave it in fate’s hands. If we meet again, then maybe we’ll see if something is there. And if not? Well, we will always have our day at the game and the kiss that rocked my world.
After cleaning up the training room, I make my way to my small office, grab my purse, and head out. As soon as I’m in my car and headed toward our condo, I dial Willow.
“Hey. Are you on your way home?”
“Yeah, but I have bad news.”
“What? Are you okay?” I can hear the concern in her voice.
“No. We have to have dinner with my parents tonight.” Willow’s reply is to laugh raucously in my ear. “It’s not funny, Wil,” I whine.
“Yes, it is. Your dad has been after you for two weeks. Let me guess, the invitation came from your mom?” she asks, hitting the nail on the head.
“Yep.”
“What time do we need to be there? No way am I missing this,” she says, still sputtering with laughter.
“Traitor. I changed my mind. You can’t come.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll just call Larissa. You know as well as I do, she’s going to extend the invitation.”
“Brat.” I stick my tongue out for good measure even though she can’t see me.
“You know it. See you soon,” she says and ends the call.
For the remainder of my drive home, I’m thinking of how to divert my dad’s attention toward my new job and away from Cameron. No matter what angle I think of, I know well enough that it won’t work. I’m going to have to face the music. In this case, Easton Monroe. He’s always been fiercely protective of his girls. That includes Mom, me, and my two younger sisters. I knew this was coming. I just hoped I could avoid it a little longer.