Huge Deal

Checkmate.”

She looked up at him. “Really? What did you win?”

Kennedy’s eyes were warm and adoring as they locked on hers. “Your heart.”

Kennedy might not have fallen in love with Kate the way she had with him, at first sight, all in. But he had cared when she’d assumed him indifferent.

You once said you wanted someone who’d fall hard and fast for you, and while I know I let you down on the fast part . . . I did fall, Kate. I’ve fallen all the way.”

We’re the good stuff, Kate. No, I didn’t hear angels singing the first moment our eyes met, but that’s got nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. You know me. Things take me a while. I think too much; I’m always up in my head. I may not feel as quickly as you, but I do feel, Kate.

Ironically, just as Kennedy was starting to catch on to the appeal of those Disney bits, Kate saw the risks. It wasn’t ideal, to say the least, but Kennedy was ready for it.

He’d just have to show her that the risk was worth it.

But Kate . . . She was one hell of a ripple. She’d always been, if he were honest.

Kate was the one who made him think twice, who challenged him. She didn’t do anything in half measures—she jumped into the deep end unabashed, always. Her confidence was alluring as hell, because it didn’t come from a new haircut or a master’s degree. It was a sureness in who she was, not just in her willingness to go all in but her determination to.

Until now.