Page 29 of Fighting Chance

I nod. “Hence the life list. I’ve written down moments from books that I want to experience.”

“Why is it a secret? I think a life list is an amazing idea. You deserve to live, Layla.”

My cheeks flush, no doubt matching the shade of my hair. “Because some of the things on the list are…embarrassing, to say the least.”

“How come?”

I shrug self-consciously. “I’ve not experienced as much as the average twenty-five-year-old. I was constantly in and out of the hospital growing up, so I missed out on a lot of firsts in my life. Many of them are things most people do as teenagers.”

“Can I see the list?”

My eyes are wide as I bark out a laugh. “God no. I don’t needanyoneseeing how much I haven’t experienced. That’s humiliating.”

“There’s nothing humiliating about your situation, Layla. You were sick.” He sits up straighter. “Come on, tell me at least one thing.”

Biting my lip, I shake my head.

And then KierangoddamnAshford softens his face, giving me that megawatt smile. “Come on, sunshine, just one.”

“It’s dumb,” I blurt.

“I’m sure it’s not.”

I wave my hand in the air. “It’s just stupid stuff like forts and water fights and?—”

“Done.”

Kieran stands suddenly, cupping his hand around his mouth as he calls out, “Hey, Emmy! Have you ever had a water fight?”

She careens to a stop, wobbling on her feet. That guarded look reenters her gaze and I can feel Kieran stiffen beside me, just before she moves her head slightly back and forth. No.

Kieran spins, holding his hand out to mine. “Looks like you both are ticking off some firsts.”

Licking my suddenly dry lips, I whisper, “You’re crazy.”

“Good-looking.”

“And cocky.”

“I prefer the term confident.” He sticks out his hand even farther. “Come on, Layla, what do you say? You and Emmy against me and Bambi?”

Eyeing his hand, I can’t help but smile as I slide mine in his, feeling his rough callouses against my smooth skin. A sudden charge fills between us, a palpable energy as we touch. I try toshake it off, try to force the butterflies taking flight in my stomach to settle.

This is why I never responded to his texts.

Flirting for him is second nature and doesn’t mean anything, but for me, it awakens something inside my heart that I never thought I’d experience. It doesn’t understand that Kieran isn’t mine, nor will he ever be.

I purse my lips and concede. “Fine, I’ll play, only if it’s us girls against you. Because there’s no chance in hell you’ll be able to drag Bambi away from Emmy.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, and I order myself not to look at his straining biceps. “And what do I get if I win?” he drawls.

“We’re betting now?”

“Why not?”

My hip cocks to the side. “What do you want?”

“A date.”