Julie James

“Chicago, huh?” John winked and leaned in closer. “We should team up, Harlow. I say we take down the three trainees from New York first.”

“Because I don’t like the way he looks at you!”

“Give it time.” He grinned cheekily. “That joke’s going to seem a lot funnier tomorrow.”

“I still don’t like the way he looks at you, though.”

“So you’re saying the ball’s in my court.”

He bent his head, stopping just before his mouth touched hers. “The ball has always been in your court, Jessica,” he said huskily. “From the first moment I walked up to you at the Academy.”

“Why weren’t we doing this six years ago?” she breathed.

“Because you didn’t like me six years ago.”

Well. That.

I can tell you that finding somebody who makes you happy, and gets you, and respects you, is a special thing. And I guess I’d like to think that when two people feel that way about each other, somehow, some way, they can find a way to make it work.”

“How do I keep ending up on the ground in front of you in the stupidest ways possible?”

“Just my dumb luck, I guess.”

“Do you have any idea, John Shepherd, how close you came to turning my life into a Nicholas Sparks book? I never would’ve forgiven you for that.”