By Wednesday, he thought maybe Claire was starting to get the hint. She’d texted him a few times, and he hadn’t responded. Enough time had probably passed that he could move on and it wouldn’t be too bad. He’d finally settled on Annabelle. After glancing over at the cheerleaders’ practice a few times, he hadn’t once seen Claire talking to her.

When they were done for the day, Dustin got outside early and waited in his car. He watched every person leaving the training facility. When he saw Claire, he ducked down in his seat until she pulled out. That was good. He wouldn’t have to worry about her walking out while he was talking to Annabelle.

When he finally saw her, dark hair shining in the light of the parking lot lamps, he jumped out of his car.

He called out to her. “Hey, Annabelle.”

She stopped and crossed her arms, watching him approach.

“Yeah?” she said when he was closer.

“Got a minute?”

“Maybe.” She looked him up and down and shifted her stance slightly.

There was something about this chick that already had him excited—her attitude, her smooth skin and Asian eyes. She was gorgeous, but she was also fiery, and he liked the challenge. She wasn’t on a Brooklyn level of challenge that was impossible, but she probably didn’t play games or mess around. She might not be too easy to sleep with, but he hoped he’d figure out what made her tick quick enough to check off another notch. If he could manage to sleep with two before Alex or Hayden slept with one, he’d secure his lead.

“I heard something about you and wanted to know if it was true,” he said.

“What’d you hear?”

He leaned in closer, and said quietly, “That you’re the best one on the squad, and Brooklyn is trying to give you all the crappy spots to keep you hidden.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced around. “Who told you that?”

He shrugged. “Just a little birdy.”

“Well, I wouldn’t expect birds to know much about cheering.”

“It’s true that you’re the best on the squad, though.” He said it as a fact so she would know that he didn’t question it.

“Maybe.”

“Well, I like the best of things. I drive the best car, drink the best beer, listen to the best music.”

“But you’re not the best on your team.” She cocked her head slightly to the side.

“What makes you think that?”

“I’ve seen you play. That Kenny guy is the best. The ex-pro. He needs to be back in the pros the way he plays.”

“Maybe he will be.”

“But you won’t,” she said.

“What makes you so sure?”

“I don’t think you have what it takes.”

He felt his face and neck start to get hot. What was the deal with this chick putting him down like this? “Why’s that?”

“You get distracted too easily.”

“Can you blame me? I look across the field and see you in your tight little outfit dancing around. How could I possibly look away to some guy in football pads? Hardly compares.” He gave her a half smile.

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard about you, you know.”

“I swear it’s not true.”

“Really?”

He nodded once.

“So, you didn’t try to hit on Brooklyn?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“And you haven’t been hitting on every lady on the squad?”

“Not everyone. Only the ones worth hitting on. Like you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be some sort of compliment?”

“You’re the hottest one on the squad, and you’re the best. That’s the truest compliment I can give. I’d like to find out what else you’re the best at.”

“I am not going to sleep with you.”

“Whoa, whoa.” He held up his hands and took a step back. “Who said anything like that? I’m not interested in sleeping around or one-night stands. But I would like to find a woman who’s fit like I am, who gets the world of football, who won’t be bothered by my crazy training schedule, and who I can spend time with getting to know. I spend a lot of time with men, and it gets old real fast.”

She recrossed her arms. “So, you’re telling me you’re looking for love?”

“Well, it takes time for real love to form, but you have to start somewhere. You have to get to know someone and see if love grows. I don’t believe in that instant love crap or anything, but yes. I guess you could say I want to settle down. I’m not getting any younger, you know. I want a girl to be by my side when I win and there to comfort me when I lose. Someone to come home to. To share a life with. And how else am I going to find her if I don’t get to know a bunch of people? She’s out there somewhere. You might be her. You might not be. But we won’t know unless we get to know each other and find out. That’s all I’m suggesting. That we maybe go out, have a nice meal, talk some, and see what happens, see if there’s a connection. If not, I’ll leave you alone. But you never know when your dream partner will happen across your path.”

“Dinner? That’s it?” she asked.

“What else do you want?”

“Just dinner. I don’t want you to even try anything else. No slick little move to get me back to your place.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” he said. “I don’t make a habit of sleeping around, and like I said, I’m not looking for one-night stands.”

“Okay, then. Dinner. When?”

“Friday night after practice?”

“I’ll meet you there,” she said firmly. “Where?”

“Wherever you want. You pick.”

“I’ll text you the address. 8?”

“Perfect.”

“Okay, then.” She narrowed her eyes at him again. “Dinner. That’s it.”

“That’s it.”

She spun on her heel and got into her car.

Dustin thought about their conversation as he drove home. She was going to be tough for sure. He couldn’t make it seem like he was trying to sleep with her. She’d pick up on that instantly. He had to be slick about it, make her feel like it was her idea. If he could do that, he’d get her.