Page 73 of The Offside Rule
Me: Too risky.
The reply came fast.
Hunter: I know.
Helpful.
Me: Then why are you asking?
Hunter: Because seeing you is wearing down my self-control.
I stared at the screen for so long Taylor leaned over my shoulder.
“OMG,” she whispered.
I yanked the phone to my chest. “Boundaries.”
“You lost those when you kissed your dad’s captain,” she laughed.
“Not helping.”
Billie fanned herself with her napkin. “I take back every bad thing I said about controlled men. They’re fun when they crack.”
My phone buzzed again.
Hunter: You can say no.
I bit my lip. That was the problem. I could say no. He would probably prefer if I did. He would make the responsible choice if I forced him to. But I didn’t want responsible. Not after the way he looked at me like I was both the thing he wanted and the thing that could ruin him.
Me: I should say no.
Hunter: Yeah.
I waited.
Another text.
Hunter: But I don’t want you to.
My pulse jumped.
Taylor looked at me carefully. “I live on his floor.”
I blinked. “What?”
“My apartment is on Hunter’s floor. Down the hall.” She shrugged. “If you wanted to be discreet, you could come to my place for a bit and then go over when the hallway is clear.”
I stared at her, surprised.
Liv pointed at her. “This is why daughters of executives are terrifying.”
Taylor smiled. “We understand logistics.”
Billie leaned back. “I love this friend group.”
“I haven’t said I’m going,” I said.
Every single one of them looked at me. I hated them because I knew I was going. There was no way I could walk away now. Then the front door of the restaurant opened, and Liv sat up straighter.
