Yesterday was officially a day from hell. First, I had court, where my luck apparently had run out—my day was filled with cases that were impossible to win. Then Jordan’s dad called me from her apartment asking if I had any idea where she was, which I didn’t. Jordan and her parents are close, and if Doug Taylor is in New York, then Jordan would be with him.

As I was leaving the courthouse, I saw the man who’s stopped me twice. He was sitting on a bench more than ten feet away from me, but when I stopped to take him in, he looked up and locked eyes with mine. I raced to the subway, watching my surroundings as closely as possible. When I finally got home, I found Bryan standing outside my apartment door, hoping to score an invite into my home. After I flipped him the bird, I told him to go fuck himself. Apparently, he got the hint and left because I didn’t see him again.

Only seconds later, Jake arrived in a mood of his own. I knew after the way things ended the night before last that when I saw him again, things could very well become messy, but Jake showing up, exactly when he did, felt like the perfect storm on an already horrible day.

To top it off, Jordan fell onto my doorstep, literally, drunk off her ass after that jerk of a boyfriend broke up with her…again. I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with that man. I’ve seen him act like a decent human being, then there are times when he turns into an idiot and figures out a way to stomp all over my best friend’s heart.

Jordan ended up staying the night and her dad came by a few hours ago to pick her up. I hope she finally pulls her head out of her ass and gets over Chase Adams, but I worry that won’t happen. Chase called me a few hours ago from Jake’s phone looking for Jordan. Apparently, he already regrets his decision to dump my best friend.

My heart jumped in my chest when I saw Jake’s number on my screen. I even answered in a joking way, hoping to lighten the mood between us, but once I found out it was Chase, I was instantly disappointed.

No matter what lies I tell myself, Jake is starting to take up more space in my head than he should. The man drives me crazy. Batshit fucking crazy but he does it in a way that’s confusing as hell, because when I go any lengthy amount of time without seeing him, I start to crave him, and that reminds me of a different Lacey.

A Lacey I refuse to be again.

I jump when I hear a knock. I set my coffee down and walk over to the door. After looking through the peephole, I open the door to a man who makes my mouth water.

Jake gives me a grave smile before stepping around me and into my apartment. “I booked a flight to San Diego. I leave in a few hours.”

The air swooshes out of my lungs, only confirming what deep down I already knew…this man means something to me.

“I have an extra ticket to next Sunday’s game. I want you to come with me.”

“What game?” I respond. “I thought you said your season was over?”

He shakes his head with a laugh before reaching out for my hand. “The Super Bowl is a week from tomorrow. I want you to go with me.”

“Why?”

His head dips closer to mine. “Most people would die for the chance to go to the Super Bowl, and you just ask me why?”

“I think we’ve already discovered I’m not most people.”

“That’s no shit.” He gives my hand another squeeze before releasing it. He holds my stare as awkward silence spreads between us.

“Look I—”

“I better get—”

We both say at the same time. Jake smiles and motions with his hand. “You go first.”

“I was just going to say I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted the last few times you’ve come to see me.”

“What do you have to be sorry for?”

I should have known Jake wouldn’t be the type of man to let me off the hook.

“I’m not an emotional female.” I roll my eyes with a laugh. “At least I’m not anymore; however, it seems like a lot of things have suddenly changed in my life, and acting out is the only way I’ve ever coped with stress.”

He warily watches me. “Come to the game with me. Let’s spend a carefree weekend together. Give me the chance to show you a glimpse into my world.”

I tense. I’ve had a glimpse into his world.

“My world, Lacey…not that fuckwad who has obviously hurt you in ways I don’t understand. Give me one weekend away from all the shit that haunts you.”

I haven’t used more than a couple of personal days since I started at my firm, and his offer is tempting. I want to tell him no, but every time I open my mouth, I can’t make the words form; instead, I find myself nodding. The second his face lights up, my answer seems like the correct one.

“I’ll book your flight and pick you up from the airport.”

“Wait. Where’s the game?”

Jake smirks. “My hometown. San Diego.”

His hometown. A place filled with memories Jake doesn’t want to forget. That’s the complete opposite compared to me, but I have no one to blame but myself.

“As long as I get Monday off, I’ll be there.”

His eyes mischievously dance back and forth between mine. “I’m almost kicking myself for booking a flight home today.”

Me too, but I don’t admit to anything; instead, I do what I seem best at. “If I promise to miss you, will that make your ego feel better?”

He dramatically shakes his head but he’s wearing a relaxed smile, one that tells me he’s not upset by my comment.

A few moments pass as we stand a few feet away from each other. He finally clears his throat and closes the distance between us. He reaches for me again and cups the side of my face while he stares down into my eyes.

“I hope like hell you don’t change your mind.” He rubs his thumb over my cheek and I catch his brown eyes soften. “I’ve learned some things in life are worth taking a chance on. I can’t promise you there won’t be an emergency landing at some point, and things could always go awry, but I can promise you the ride to wherever we’re heading will be worth it.”

My heart leaps into my throat. I want Jake to be right. Even if I’m correct and he’s not the man for me, I don’t want to end up doubting the time I’ve spent with him…the time I will spend with him, because that’s what I want.

I tilt my head to the side. “I’m fighting the natural urge to make a sarcastic comment.”

He busts out laughing before he pulls me into his arms. This time, my heart starts racing for a different reason. “Don’t do that,” he growls. “Don’t get all hot and bothered on me, because I should have left by now.”

I give him a coy smile before I bat my eyelashes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Instead of answering me, his mouth possessively crashes down onto mine. My body melts into his as his lips dominate mine in a kiss that has my body on fire.

My hand moves to his belt, but he jumps back. “Oh, no you don’t. I have to get going.”

I frown, disappointed that he’s about to leave.

“Next weekend. You’re all mine. Text or call me and tell me how early you can fly out, and I’ll book you the first flight out of town.”

I silently watch him walk to the door, desperately wishing he’d stay.

“Next weekend can’t get here soon enough.” Jakes smiles before pulling the door shut.

“Holy shit,” I mumble to myself before I walk to the bedroom and drop on the bed. I don’t want Jake Girard, but the truth is I don’t want to want Jake Girard—yet I do. The question becomes whether or not I’ll be able to trust a man like him without losing myself in the process.