What we had that night was amazing, but it was only for the night, and we both knew that going into it. I made it clear. But now that he’s here in my little corner of the world he was never supposed to find, I don’t know what to do. If our paths had crossed again in pretty much any other scenario, that would be one thing, and maybe we could figure it out. But he’s playing for my dad’s team, and that’s non-negotiable.

I know my dad better than anyone. His rules aren’t casual suggestions—they’re etched in stone. I pushed boundaries that night in California, but this is different.

I’ve wasted so much time frozen in place that Declan is definitely going to reach me before I can get in the car now, so with a fresh burst of resolve, I decide to head him off instead. I meet him halfway across the parking lot, and when he opens his mouth to speak, I snatch his hand and drag him off to the side of the building where hopefully none of the other team members will see us if they come out. His brows shoot up his forehead, but he goes along with it.

“I can’t believe it’s you.” He laughs incredulously when we stop, but I bring a finger to my lips. His brows stitch together. “What’s with the secrecy?”

“Did you miss the part where my dad is your new coach?” I ask, keeping my voice low and hoping he gets the hint to do the same.

“No, but that’s not the point. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. This is crazy.”

I blow out a breath, trying to ignore the butterflies going wild in my stomach. Between the way his muscular body fills the space in front of me and the amazing way he smells, like cedarwood and some kind of spice, my brain feels like it’s overloading.

It can’t reconcile it. These two parts of my life were supposed to stay separate, but the line between them has been smashed to pieces now.

“You’re right,” I admit, looking up into his amber-flecked eyes. “It is crazy.”

“You know,” he says, his voice dropping to that intimate register that still haunts my dreams, “I remember every single moment of that night. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” Heat flashes through his eyes. “Still can’t.”

“I…” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. “I remember it all too.”

He takes a step closer, and I have to tilt my head back a little to hold his gaze. God, he’s so fucking tall.

“So here we are again,” he murmurs. “What do you want now?”