“What? It’s flattering to be desired for your money?” he was saying. “Your fame? Yeah, right.” He shot her a look. “Even the ones you think aren’t that bad can fool you. Weren’t you the one wanting to know if I was rich? You want digits, right? My net worth or phone number? Oh, maybe both, eh?” The cynicism shouldn’t have looked pretty on his face.
But it did.
She had to move before she did something stupid. Like jump him in the middle of the bean aisle, arrogance and all. Hurrying to her cart, she rolled toward the register, unfortunately with Mitch in tow.
Holding onto her patience, she said in a low voice so as not to be overheard, “We made a deal. Simon’s doing well in school. I saved you from Linda. We’re even.”
He stood behind her in line, refusing to drop the conversation, and murmured, “Oh no. We’re not even yet. Now we have to have dinner together or Linda will think we’ve been lying.”
“How will she know?”
“She’ll know. That woman seems to know everything I do in this town.” He rolled his eyes. “Then my brother will hear about today, and it’ll get back that I told people he’s into your cousin. No, we’ll make this happen.”
She had no way to refuse, not with the line of people now standing behind them, watching. She forced a smile. “Fine. We can talk about it outside.”
After she paid, she waited for him by her car. He put his groceries away, then joined her. “Give me your phone.”
“What? Why?”
He sighed. “I’m not going to steal it. I’m going to give you my number.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t pass this on. I’m trusting you.”
“I know this might come as a surprise, but not everyone wants your ‘digits’ Mr. Super Bowl. I mean, maybe if the price was high enough, I’d consider sharing. But I doubt I could get more than a few bucks for the great Flash’s number.”
“Unless it was Linda who was asking.”
She grinned, unable to help it. “Well, that’s true.”
He typed into her phone, then handed it back to her. “Seriously. I have no idea why she’s so into me. I mean, I’m a great catch and all. But from what she’s said, she’s rich, pretty, and amazing. Why can’t she score some guy who’s into her?”
“I think it’s more about the challenge for Linda. She’s had a lot of—” No need to be catty. “Well, let’s just say she’s dated her share. But she’s never been out with a professional football player in the time since I’ve known her.” She shrugged.
“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“Ever dated a football player?”
“Nope. I did date a soccer player though.” She smiled, remembering Neal kicking a ball and showing off for her with his dribbling feats. Except to her surprise, his face wasn’t as sharp as it should have been in her memory. The image of Mitch, so present, so near, was overpowering.
When she realized they stood too close, she frowned and backed up. She sent him a quick text. “I texted you. So, ah, text me back with your plans. I have to go.”
“Becca…”
But she’d already gotten into her car and slammed the door shut. Her heart pounded, the memory of her beloved husband fuzzy, his face replaced by the image of a puzzled football star who was way too handsome for her peace of mind.
Becca drove home, her eyes on the road, focused on the fact she’d done her part to even the score. Yes. That was all it had been, a way to play her part and help out her son’s new coach. In essence, she’d really been helping Simon.
Yet she couldn’t fathom why she continued to fret about her attraction to Mitch. Neal had died years ago. She’d dated since then. She’d had sex since then too. Noticing a handsome man meant nothing.
So why did she feel so confused and out of sorts around Mitch Flashman?
She wanted to punch something. Instead, she returned to find the kitchen a mess and yelled at Simon. And that helped.
******
Mitch spent the next two days trying to figure out what he’d done wrong. One minute he’d had Becca Bragg staring at him as if she liked the hell out of him. Then… She’d ditched him in a parking lot.
The air around him continued to cool. The sky had grown dark, the lights over the football field glaringly bright as he walked onto the field. Noise from the growing crowd grew louder while the kids warmed up for the big game.
