Merry with a Playmaker (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter Eight

The phone buzzes and Evan's name lights up the screen. My heart skips a treacherous beat. I breathe in before answering. "Hello, stranger."

"Merry, my favorite chess partner. How about a rematch tonight at The Cove? I'll even buy the first round."

I hesitate, fingers drumming against my thigh. There's a rustling sound, like he's settling into a chair.The way hiseyes crinkle at the corners when he's laying on the charm. Damnit. I'm already picturing him.

My teeth worry at my bottom lip as I weigh the offer.

"Come on, Mer," he coaxes, voice soft. "For old time's sake. No strings, just...catching up."

I press my eyes shut. Curse my traitorous pulse for kicking up at the gentle rumble of his voice. At the nickname that rolls off his tongue.

"Okay," I say hoping I don't regret it. "One drink. But you're on thin ice, de Nemours."

His low chuckle raises goosebumps on my arms. "I'll take it. Meet you there at seven?"

"Sure. Seven." I'm aiming for breezy, but it comes out breathless. Damn him.

"Can't wait to see you, Merry Christmas."

I groan at the awful pun as he hangs up. Same old Evan. Charming, persistent, impossible to resist.

What am I getting myself into?

**********

Evan's easy smile greets me as I step into the cozy warmth of The Cove. The dimly lit bar hums with quiet conversation and clinking glasses, holiday garlands draped along the polished wood. He leads us to a booth tucked away in the corner, the worn leather seats promising seclusion.

"I'm glad you came," he says.

I lift one shoulder in a shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Well, you made it pretty hard to say no."

His lips quirk. "I've been told I can be quite convincing."

"Among other things," I mutter, picking up the menu to hide my smirk.

I scan the drinks list. I know he’s staring at me. It takes every ounce of willpower not to squirm under the intensity. I chance a glance up and find him watching me, his expression unreadable.

"What?" I ask, caught off guard.

He shakes his head, a soft smile playing at his mouth. "Nothing. It's just... good to see you, Mer."

My fingers tightening on the menu.

"Yeah," I manage, my voice coming out rougher than I'd like. "You too."

The air between us feels charged, heavy with words unsaid. I'm saved from having to fill the silence by the arrival of our server. We place our orders, the tension easing as we slip into safer topics.

We chat about his coaching and my latest project, I start to relax. It's easy, familiar. We're just Merry and Evan again. Friends. Confidants.

Lovers?

Evan's knee bumps mine again under the table, and this time, I don't move away. His touch sends a thrill through me, even as my mind screams at me to slow the fuck down.

I risked my heart once before. Am I ready to chance it again?

Evan launches into a story about his team's latest antics, his eyes sparkling with mirth, I let myself get swept up in his laughter. In the sheer magnetic pull of his presence.

I chuckle at Evan's tale, shaking my head. "Some things never change, huh? You always did have a knack for wrangling chaos."

"Hey, it's a skill," he quips, his grin turning mischievous. "Besides, you're one to talk. Remember that time you convinced the entire dorm to rearrange all the common room furniture into a massive fort?"

The memory sparks a burst of laughter from me. "Oh god, I'd almost forgotten about that! The look on the RA's face when she saw it..."

We dissolve into shared laughter, the years fading away once more. It's so easy to fall back into our old rhythms, trading barbs and jokes like no time has passed.

But as our chuckles subside, Evan's expression sobers. His gaze locks with mine, searching, probing. "I've missed this, Mer. Missed you."

The raw honesty in his voice catches me off guard. Keep it light, Merry. "Well, I am pretty unforgettable."

Evan doesn't take the bait, his eyes still holding mine. "I'm serious. Being here with you, laughing like this... it feels right. Like coming home."

His words wrap around me, echoing the long-buried longing in my own heart. The part of me that never quite let him go, no matter how hard I tried.

He reaches across the table, his hand settling over mine. A gesture of comfort, of connection. "I'm not asking for forever, Merry. Just a chance. To see if this spark between us is still alive."

I stare at our hands, torn. My mind wages war with my heart, logic battling emotion. Is it possible to rekindle an old flame without getting burned?

Sensing my hesitation, Evan gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "Just think about it, okay? No pressure."

I nod, not trusting my voice. He releases my hand, sitting back with an understanding smile.

And as we settle into safer topics once more, I can't ignore the glimmer of possibility taking root in my heart.

Mischief dances in Evan's eyes as he reaches into his jacket pocket. "I have something for you."

My curiosity is piqued. "Is it a signed photo of your glory days on the rugby field?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Not quite." With a flourish, he presents a small, elegantly wrapped package. "Open it."

I take the gift, my fingers tingling when they brush against his..

I unwrap the paper to reveal a framed photograph. A candid shot of Evan and me from our college days, our heads bent close together as we pore over game strategies. Lost in our own world, oblivious to the camera.

Memories flood back. Late nights in the library, inside jokes whispered across lecture halls, the easy camaraderie we once shared.

"I found it while going through some old boxes," Evan explains. "It made me realize how much I've missed having you in my life."

I trace the edge of the frame. "We were quite the team."

"The best." His gaze locks with mine, intense and sincere.

The warm glow of the booth envelops us as our laughter subsides, replaced by a comfortable silence. I take a sip of my drink, the rich flavors dancing on my tongue, and let my gaze drift to Evan's face. He looks older now, more mature, but there's still that boyish charm lurking beneath the surface.

"So, tell me," I begin, setting my glass down, "what have you been up to since college? Besides becoming a rugby superstar, of course." A teasing smirk plays on my lips.

Evan chuckles, leaning back in his seat. "Oh, you know, the usual. Traveling the world, scoring winning tries, basking in the adoration of fans." His eyes sparkle with mischief. "It was all a bit... hollow."

"Hollow? I thought that was the dream."

He shrugs, his expression growing thoughtful. "It was. For a while." His gaze meets mine, intense and searching. "I realized that all the success in the world means nothing without someone to share it with."

"And you think that someone could be me?" I ask, my voice laced with a hint of skepticism.

Evan leans forward, his elbows resting on the table. "I know I hurt you in the past, Merry. And I'm not expecting you to just forget that. What we had... was real. Special."

"I've built a life for myself in France: a career, a home, friends, and more than friends. I can't just drop everything and pick up where we left off."

His hand reaches across the table covering mine. "I know we’re not kids, Merry. I let you walk away, remember? I just want a chance to get to know the woman you've become. To see if there's a place for me in your life."

I look down at our hands. A part of me yearns to give in, to take that leap of faith. The rational side of my brain holds me back.

I search his face, looking for any sign of deception or uncertainty, but all I find is genuine understanding and patience.

"Okay." I whisper.

Evan's gaze holds mine, unwavering and sincere. "I want you to know, Merry, that I value your independence and intellect. Those are the qualities that drew me to you all those years ago, and they're still what I admire most about you today."

His words wash over me, soothing the small scabs he left on my heart. I nod slowly, absorbing the meaning of his statement.

"I don't want you to change who you are for anyone, least of all me," he continues, his voice steady and resolute. "Stay true to yourself, always. That's the Merry I fell for, and the one I never stopped – well, yeah."

I reach for my drink, taking a slow sip to gather my thoughts. The smooth, rich flavor of the whiskey grounds me, reminding me this is real. Evan is real.

"I've missed this, Merry. Missed you."

I meet his gaze. "I've missed this too, Evan. More than I realized."

The laughter fades, a comfortable silence settles over us. Evan's hand finds mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. The simple gesture speaks volumes, a promise of support and understanding.

The night air is crisp and invigorating as we step outside, our breath forming tiny clouds in the chill. Evan's arm brushes against mine, a casual intimacy that feels both new and familiar.

We walk in comfortable silence, the soft crunch of snow beneath our feet the only sound.

I arch my back inhaling deeply. The cold air filling my lungs.

Evan's voice breaks the silence. "Thank you for tonight, Merry. For giving us a chance."

I turn to face him. "Thank you for not giving up on me, Evan. On us."

His smile is tender, his eyes reflecting the same hopeful anticipation that I feel. And as we stand there, the snow falling softly around us.

Evan leans in, his breath warm against my cheek. I think he might kiss me. But instead, he kisses my forehead.

"Goodnight, Merry," he whispers, his voice rough with emotion.

"Goodnight, Evan," I breathe, my skin tingling where his lips touched.