the memory of Coleâs mouth against hers. The kiss started out soft and teasing. She tried to hold back but then his kiss grew demanding. Or maybe she had demanded more. There was a moment when she wasnât sure who was in charge. She had tried to resist, but his kisses were better than she remembered. His touch still excited her. She never responded as wildly with another man.
Tim blocked her and Angie shook her head, trying to get her head back into the game. She dodged and Tim tried to grab her oversize shirt but failed. She wasnât as tall as her basketball buddies, but she made up for it with speed. âCâmon, Steve!â she yelled as she ran next to the basket. âGive it to me.â
âIâd throw it to you,â Steve said as he tried to set up a difficult shot from the three-point line, âbut Iâm afraid youâll break a nail.â
Angie smiled as the other guys laughed. âWhy donât you come a little closer and Iâll show you how strong my nails are.â
âYeah, rightâ Hey!â Steven complained as Patrick stole the basketball. âFoul!â
Angie watched as her best friend sank the ball in the basket. She groaned and dropped her shoulders in disappointment. âSteve, next time throw me the ball.â
âItâs much more fun teasing you,â he said.
âBe careful,â Angie warned. âYou and I are walking together at the end of the wedding. I just may trip you.â
Steveâs eyes widened with horror. âYou wouldnât dare.â
She pushed her finger against his chest. âDonât tempt me.â
âYou donât have anything to worry about,â Tim told Steve. âAngie has to wear high heels. Sheâll be too busy clinging onto you, never mind trying to trip you.â
âClinging? Not going to happen,â Angie insisted as she made a face. âIâve worn heels before.â
Tim and Steve gave each other a look of disbelief. âSheâs going to take the whole procession down,â Steve predicted to Tim. âItâll be one big pileup.â
âA stack of dominos,â Tim decided.
âIâm not listening.â She pressed her hands over her ears. âLa-la-la-la.â She wouldnât tell them that the heels were a concern. She actually followed her motherâs advice and had been practicing walking in her bridesmaid shoes. They were taller than anything sheâd worn and she wasnât as graceful as she wished.
âHey,â Patrick said as he bounced the ball to Angie and jerked his head to the park entrance. âIs that Cole Foster?â
Oh, damn . She winced as she slowly turned to where Patrick indicated. Cole was walking through the city park and heading to the basketball courts. Her heart gave a jolt. He was dressed in a hoodie and jeans, warding off the cool Seattle breeze, but she remembered how strong and lean his body felt against hers.
âYeah, thatâs him.â she answered weakly as pleasure, dark and heavy, settled low in her pelvis. How did he find her? It wasnât as if he would remember her schedule.
Patrick placed his hands on his hips. âWhat is he doing here?â
âYou want us to get rid of him?â Tim offered.
âUh...no.â Angie pressed her palms against the basketball. She dreaded having to tell her friends about Cole. They knew how much she had suffered when Cole left. She didnât talk about it but they had tried to keep life normal for her. They probably wouldnât believe she was back with him, but she couldnât tell them the whole truth. That this was merely pretend. Or at least, it was supposed to be. That kiss sure felt real.
âReally?â Steve asked. âWe can do it. Itâs three of us against one of him.â
âNo!â she said sharply and gripped the basketball tighter. She knew Cole could handle any situation but she still felt