It’s a strange realization to have in the middle of his father’s VIP lounge, but there it is. We come from two different worlds, and maybe it would just be easier if I went back to beingjustthe nanny. He might’ve swept me off my feet, rescued me from my hardships, and made over my entire life in that rags-to-riches kind of way, but that doesn’t mean my story has the same ending as Cinderella’s despite the sparkly blue dress I’m wearing.
Two hours pass before I find him again. He walks through a door that seems to lead to some sort of back room.
“What’s back there?” I ask.
“Staff break room.” He says it in a strange way as his eyes dart to the side.
I almost don’t believe him, but I don’t call him out. I can’t see any reason he’d have to lie to me.
“Can we go home?” I ask.
He nods. “Let me just say some goodbyes.” He doesn’t invite me to come with him, so I claim one of the white leather chairs as he walksaway from me.
“You’re Bradley’s wife?” a male voice says beside me a moment later.
I glance up and find myself face-to-face with Danny Brewer, the first baseman for the Vegas Heat. He’s married to Alexis Bodega, and I’m a huge fan of her music.
“I am,” I say softly.
He sits in the chair next to me. “I play ball with his brother.”
“Archer?” I ask.
He nods.
“I haven’t seen him in years. I’m actually best friends with Ivy, Dex’s youngest sister.” I realize maybe I’m saying too much. I don’t know Danny Brewer from anybody else, and it would likely be in my best interest to keep my mouth shut.
Another man walks up beside Danny, and he slaps him on the back. It’s clear they’re good friends, maybe even teammates, but I don’t recognize him. The only reason I know Danny is because of Alexis Bodega.
“Do you know AJ Winters?” Danny asks me, and he slaps AJ on the back as he introduces us.
I shake my head. “Ainsley Ri—, uh…Bradley.”
AJ reaches out a hand to shake mine. “Nice to meet you.” His eyes flick down my dress, and he offers me a grin. He’s definitely handsome, and it feels almost like some sort of invitation, but I only have eyes for one man.
And speak of the devil…
“The fuck’s going on here?” a voice booms behind AJ.
I pull my hand from AJ’s, and both men turn around to see my husband as he’s about to rage on someone.
“We were just introducing ourselves to your wife,” Danny says smoothly.
“You’re goddamn right she’s my wife,” he says, and he moves between them to slip his arm around my shoulders.
He hasn’t paid me one ounce of attention tonight until some handsome men started chatting me up. Duly noted. Apparentlyany man getting too close to me is grounds for him to lose his mind.
I roll my eyes. “He’s a total caveman.”
“Well, you managed to get a ring on his finger, so you must have some pretty persuasive skills yourself,” AJ teases.
Dex glares at him, I laugh a little uncomfortably, and Danny steps in to save another awkward moment.
“We were just about to head over to some Hold’em. See you later.”
The two baseball players walk away, and Dex glances over at me. “What did they say to you?”
“Nothing. They were just introducing themselves. They were perfectly pleasant, and why do you care, anyway? You couldn’t be bothered with me even though you invited me here tonight.”
