Out of Play

He lets go of my hands, and his thumbs wipe my tears away. “God, I wanted to be there, Pe

I step into his arms and let Bishop hold me. “I don’t hate that I love you anymore.”

He squeezes me tighter. “Only you would admit to loving someone that way.” He’s quiet for a moment, and then I feel his hand slide through my hair. “I missed this…your hair…the way you smell…the way you feel. I’m so fucking in love with you, Pe

I can’t lift my head from his shoulder, can’t stand the idea of his arms not being around me. I pull on him even tighter.

“I’m going to regret not having recorded this conversation,” he says. “You totally said you loved me first.”

“Guess that means I win.” I lean back to see him. His eyes are full of love and friendship and everything.

He laughs. “I’m pretty sure I’m the wi

Whatever. We can argue that one later. I’m determined to best him in some way.

“So, Ben’s going to propose to Mom, I’m guessing tonight. I say that since my car’s ru

Bishop grins. “I was fully prepared to get my ass kicked for fixing your car, and you’re asking me out?”

I lean in and whisper, “I’m here for a long weekend, and I really want some firsts with you.” I hold him tighter, afraid to see his face but afraid to look away, afraid for him to tell me no. “And I sort of need a date to Chomps’s wedding.”

He chuckles. “You know, I was going to try to be all nice and tell you I wanted to start over, and if all you could do was be friends that I’d be okay with it.”

“I don’t work like that.” I shake my head and let my smile take over. This is actually going to work. I don’t doubt him. It’s not just in his eyes, it’s in everything—the way he looks at me, the way he touches me, the way he can tell me he loves me one minute and tease me the next.

“I know.”

I blink, still amazed that he’s holding me, but it’s more easy and perfect than I thought possible. “I know what I want.”

His nose touches my cheek, and he closes his eyes. “I think you always know what you want, Pe

“And I want you.” I slide my lips against his, and his reaction is immediate. I don’t melt into his kiss—I dissolve into it. Into him. And as screwed up as everything got, it’s pretty perfect right now. And there’s no way in hell I’m going to let that change.

Acknowledgments

Nyrae would like to thank:

My husband and my girls. You guys put up with so much from me when I’m in the zone. I appreciate it, and I love you for all the support. To Jolene Perry for writing with me. Thanks for creating Bishop’s perfect match and for being a great friend. Wendy Higgins because you are a rock star of a bestie and a great beta reader. Kelley York, Cassie Mae, Morgan Shamy and any other early readers. I couldn’t do this without you. I would also like to thank everyone who reads my books. Your trust in me means the world to me. To Heather Howland for all your knowledge and for seeing something in Bishop and Pe

Jolene would like to thank:

My family, whose endless patience enables me to do what I love. Definitely to Nyrae for writing with me. She writes the best boys—I fall in love with them all. I can’t imagine not having her as a friend. Thank you to all the people who gave us feedback on this book: Lauren Hammond (the agent who sold this book), Wendy Higgins, Kelley York, Cassie Mae, Morgan Shamy, and my husband, who listened to Out of Play not once, but twice, as we wrote and edited.

I’m grateful that I grew up in Alaska and have known so many girls who are like my Pe

There is no way I could thank the people who read my books enough. Ever. You. Are. Awesome.

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