Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(40)

barely recognize myself and am definitely shocked at the look in my eyes he’s captured.

He rolls through the pictures, Dane and I looking over his shoulder.

“That one!” Dane says suddenly. “Bdub it.”

Suddenly, the picture in front of me becomes black and white. It’s a close up of my face, head slightly turned, and one curl

falling by my cast down eyes. Dane reaches over Paul, taps a few buttons on the keyboard, and the nearby printer comes to life. As

quick as that, there are two large prints of the shot in the tray and Dane moves to put one each in a separate manila envelope.

“One for you, one for me,” he says, handing me one. “You’ll get a copy of all the rest later, but I had to have this one now.”

Paul kisses me on each cheek and I thank him for the greatest time, promising to come back for another shoot sometime. Walking out,

I stop Dane short and give him a huge hug. I can’t hold it in a second longer. “Thank you again, Dane, I mean it. You’ll never

know how much.”

He winks back at me, of course he winks, and it’s enough; I’m starting to speak wink.

“So where we headed now?” The exhilaration still courses through me as I slide into his car.

He tsks. “Stop three is a surprise, too, but it’s a further drive, so we have time to do a Q & A now.” He looks over coyly. “If

you’re ready, that is. No doing a shot to pass now, so you have to answer.”

“Dane, are you cowering to your own theory about the games? If you want to know something, just ask.” Oh it is so fun turning his

words back on him.

“Damn, you’re good. I’m not used to people actually hearing or remembering what I say simply because they choose to. I’m gonna

have to up my game,” he laughs. “Okay, so my first question.” He pauses dramatically to think about it. “Where did you grow up?

”

“About an hour from school, in Forest. You?”

“Bridgeport, Connecticut. I moved here Tate’s freshman year.”

“Why?”



“Tate picked a school here because it was far away.

He got in, so I followed him.”

“Why would you follow him if you weren’t going to go to school there as well?” I’m usually not this nosy, but he’s opened up

the floor for questioning. Plus, I’ve been wondering since I met him why he hung around a school he didn’t go to. In fact, I’m

curious what he does all together.

“Ah ah, my turn.” He dodges that one nicely. “So Disney, why Southern?”

“Easy, it’s where I got a good offer; you know, softball. Evan and Kaitlyn, my other best friend, are both at the University of

Georgia, but they didn’t want me.” I instantly wish I could take back the last part I’d just blurted out. I don’t want him to

think I feel sorry for myself. I was very lucky to get financial aid for my schooling and I’m grateful.

“So Dane, why not Southern?”

“I was never going to go to college.” He doesn’t elaborate.

Pulling teeth here. “Why not?”

“Now, Laney, with all your witty banter, surely you’re able to keep up with whose turn it is.” His lips curl up.

Oh, he’s clever. Yes, I was firing on all pistons with no regard for turns, so I remain silent.

“How long have you been playing softball?” he asks.

“Since I was about eleven, well, on a serious level, anyway. My dad coached me my whole life until I got to high school. They

wouldn’t let him on the field then.” I laugh at my answer; oh, Daddy.

“I gotta tell ya, Disney, I never even thought about girls’ softball, let alone appreciated it, until I met you.”

“Our games haven’t even started yet, what are you talking about?” I give him a quizzical glance out of the corner of my eye.

“I can tell softball’s hard work and you’ve obviously dedicated yourself to it.”

“How do you know that?”

“By your body, Laney. No way has that happened on its own,” he remarks in a deeper tone.

“Um, Dane, have you been checking me out?” I blush.

“Only when I’m breathing.” He winks and gives me a sideways beam.

He’d set himself up to be able to tell me he thinks I have a nice body, and Lord help me, I appreciated the effort.

“Alright, whose question?” I ask with way too much excitement.

“Mine, when we get done—we’re here.”



Ty’s is a very nice gym and I don’t even ask what we’re doing here this time, working out is fine with me. I have to say, I don

’t think Dane’s plans have or will ever be mimicked. I wouldn’t have guessed today’s agenda in a million years.

Here, too, it’s all Mr. Kendrick this and Mr. Kendrick that, and once we’re suited up in protective gear, it appears this won’t

be a standard workout and that we’re the only two in class. A burly man named Kit explains that he’s a self-defense instructor

and goes through the basic moves of self-defense. He has me practice them all on him several times. It’s odd how in tune to me