Rate a Date by Monica Murphy Page 0,73

of the world, really, and the reason is because of the woman sitting next to me in my truck.

I glance over at Eleanor to find she’s on her phone, typing away as she texts someone. I don’t ask who. It’s none of my business, right? Who am I to want to know her every move? I’m just the guy she had a hot weekend with, that’s it.

Yet it seems like so much more. For me it does. I’m halfway in love with her, I think. Big words from a dude who’s never really done this thing before, but yeah. I’m feeling it. I’m feeling her. I want her to be a part of my life. Does she feel the same way?

We don’t talk much on the drive, and I think it’s because she’s sad. I’m sad too. I didn’t work today. They’re giving us a few days off to get settled after everyone’s big move, but later this week, we start training, in preparation for preseason.

I’m ready for it. I need the distraction.

When I finally pull up in front of the airport drop-off, I put the truck in park and look over at her. If I can’t be honest about who I really am, I can at least tell her how I really feel. “I don’t want you to leave.”

Her big blue eyes meet mine, her lower lip trembling. Oh shit, she’s going to cry. Don’t know if I can handle that. “I don’t want to leave either. But I have to work tomorrow.”

“I know. You have a life. I get it.” I nod, pretending that I do, but deep down I just want to keep her. Not let her out of my sight. That’s crazy. I know it is.

But it’s how I feel, so…

“Maybe I could come back and visit you? In a couple of weeks?” she suggests.

“Definitely,” I say, sounding way too eager, but I don’t care. I want her to know how I feel. How much she already means to me.

“This is moving so fast,” she admits, her expression shy, her gaze cast downward. “Probably too fast.”

“It’s perfect,” I tell her, reaching out and settling my hand on her knee. I give it a squeeze. Remind myself I can’t do anything inappropriate in front of the airport. She has a plane to catch. “Really. This weekend was—perfect.”

We smile at each other, and then we both get out of the truck. I grab her suitcase and bring it to her. We stand on the sidewalk, surrounded by all sorts of people, the Vegas heat seeming to shimmer in the air around us, and I stare at her, never wanting to forget this moment.

The time I dropped off my future girlfriend at the airport.

Yeah, I’m a complete sucker for this woman. It’s cool. I’ve got this.

Hopefully she won’t hate me when I confess the truth about my profession.

Pulling her into my arms, I give her the tightest, biggest hug I can. She clings to me, her face buried against my chest, her arms stretching around my middle. I slip a couple of fingers beneath her chin and tilt her face up, pressing a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, and she goes in for another one. Then another one.

“I have to go,” she whispers shakily, her lips tickling mine when she speaks.

“Text me when you get on the plane. And when you land,” I tell her.

She nods. Presses her lips together, like she’s trying to contain herself. Like she might break out in tears.

“Let me know you make it home safe, okay?” I cup her cheek. Stroke her skin. Memorize her face with my eyes and fingers.

“I will,” she says once she releases a shuddery breath.

We kiss again, like there are magnets in our lips and we can’t resist each other. Finally I break away and she grabs the handle of her suitcase. I remain standing where she left me, watching her enter the airport, the doors sliding shut the moment she walks through them. I stand there and wait and wait until finally…

I can’t see her anymore.

She’s gone.

“I’m home,” Eleanor singsongs, her sweet voice filling my ear and making me feel instant relief.

I’m lying in bed, going in and out of wakefulness as I waited for Eleanor to call me. So freaking tired after the wild weekend we had, but I knew I wanted to hear her voice one last time before I fell sleep.

“Your flights were okay?” She mentioned she had to fly to Los Angeles first,