Page 30 of Fighting Chance

“Absolutely not.”

“You asked me what I want and that’s exactly it.” Striding off down the steps, he bends to pick up Emmy as she comes running, sweat sticking her hair to her face. “What do you want if you win?”

“You skimmed over that date idea pretty quickly, Ashford.”

“Because I’m not budging.” He turns to me, Emmy on his hip. “So tell me, sunshine, what do you want?”

I pause to think. Knowing a date is on the table, I have to win. I can’t be subjected to his charm because…I’ll fall for it, and the last thing I need is some guy who never commits to more than one night with a girl to break my heart just as my life is finally taking a turn for the better.

Kieran snorts. “Don’t think too hard about it. Just blurt whatever comes to mind first.”

“Fine. Books,” I say. “I’d love you to buy me a new book.”

Kieran’s eyes come alive at my answer. “Deal,” he drawls.

He holds out his hand to shake and I’m so momentarily stunned by his promise that it takes me a second to slide my handin his again. As we shake on our pact, Kieran’s hand lingers around mine, holding on for several beats, as if he never wants to let me go.

Chapter 7

Kieran

MY FUTURE WIFE

*Momma Bear Carson’s phone number*

KIERAN

A dream come true

I finally got a response

I can die a happy man

MY FUTURE WIFE

wasn’t a response

KIERAN

OH MY GOD IT HAPPENED AGAIN

My wet sneakers hit the grass as I run through my backyard. Winding this way and that through the trees, I stop, my chest heaving as my shirt, soaked all the way through, sticks to me like a second skin.

With the water gun I had quickly DoorDashed held to my chest, I try to calm my breathing and listen for the pitter-patter of feet, but the yard is utterly silent. I’m not sure how long we’ve been playing for but I’ll keep going just to hear the sound of Emmy’s small chuckles and Layla’ssqueals.

Who knew I’d be obsessed with the sound of laughter?

My fixation with Layla’s laugh aside, a date is on the line.

A fucking date!

I can’t believe she agreed to it.

Keeping close to the tree, I slowly peek my head out—only to rear back with a cry of shock as water directly squirts the middle of my forehead.

“Ahh!”

Layla’s boisterous laugh explodes through the air, alongside a hesitant bark.