Page 138 of The Catch

He's already there when I make it back. With arms wide open, he welcomes me to the condo. I run to his arms, and we kiss in the middle of the room.

With these two big things behind us, our calendars open up. All I can do is wait for the answer about the TV show, which should take about a week. Until then? Saint makes sure to provide me with a million new memories.

We come back up for air when it's time to visit the Thunderdome. My confirmation email could arrive in my inbox any second now.

I'm waiting in the locker room with Evie. Players are counting betting points to finalize who's taking the Hypersquare crown for the off season.

Saint and Logan's cubbies live side by side. Evie sits on Logan's chair while I sit on my boyfriend's. Logan stands with his friends nearby. He frowns while they rib him about losing the crown, after winning it his first year, when he proved Evie wanted to date him and got a few extra points for it.

We're waiting because Dom and Bear are vying for the prize. Dom won the bet about who makes the board, after the very chatty twins revealed the secret at the after party. It's not enough to win. But Saint is up with management at the moment, discussing his future with the team. When he comes back, he'll know if he stays. If he does, Dom will steal the crown.

The gossip mill runs on a healthy current of news and whispered updates among players, their agents, and everyone else. People have heard rumors about Saint possibly leaving. The consensus is that now that they won the season, it won't happen. Still, they won't celebrate until Saint comes back with confirmation.

Besides, fans seem to be enamored with our love story. It made the rounds of social media, where it got picked up by fans and connected to my video throwing a smoothie over Aidan's hair.

"I'm telling you," Evie says. "Strike fans are eating it up. Everyone knew Saint's fame as a playboy. Then he goes and makes his feelings for you public for millions and millions of people.Globally."

"Not that I'm upset by what you're saying," I reply. "But he must have kissed someone on record before?"

"From what I'm seeing, you're the first."

"Not even when going in and out of the club?"

"Not even. I'm serious. Everyone understands what that kiss really means. The owner and all of the front office would be silly to ignore the power of that kind of PR. Fans would hate to lose Saint. That kiss was too good."

I mellow for the millionth time. That kiss was really, really good. Just thinking about it brings back the roar of ten thousand people into my chest.

Saint shows up from the side and kisses my cheek. "It's because everyone can see you're my last first kiss."

I turn to gaze at him.

He kisses me again, this time on the lips. "And the first kiss I want to last."

"Oh, okay." I smile. "This is how it feels to melt inside. Once upon a time, I would have thought that line to be cheesy."

"It's cheesy when you're not already in your feelings," Evie says sagely.

"Uhm, excuse you both." Saint raises an eyebrow. "It's not cheesy if it's true—"

"Saint!" I stand. "What are we doing talking about cheese?!"

"Cheese has so much umami—" he keeps going like he needs to defend one of his favorite foods, or let his reputation be ruined.

"How did the meeting go?!" I ask.

He stops. He smiles. He grabs my face and gives me another kiss.

"I'm staying, divina," he says.

I screech and jump into his arms. People around us get what that means.

"Get me that crowwwwwwwwwwn!" Dom roars.

Saint holds me close, not caring about how everyone else has turned their attention to the Hypersquare board. Evie joins the group dealing with the casual crowning ceremony. They give Dom his prize.

Saint only has eyes for me. I grin, thankful he's staying, and that his arms keep me grounded. I might have flown away in elation, otherwise. If he'd had to go, we would have made it work, but this is what we wanted. The life we're ready to have is here with our friends and our careers.

"Did you check your email?" he asks.