So much so that we barely made it to the golf course on time.
Showered and dressed in ivory golf pants and a tucked-in navy athletic and fitted blouse-type thing, golf shoes on her feet, makeup on her face and Frank in tow, Billy was generous with her touches, smiles, and compliments.
“You sure look the part,” I muttered and winked at Billy as she set up at the first hole.
“Suzie. One call and I had the whole look ready to go. Some personal shopper dropped the looks with Suzie, and she brought them to me. Later, Suzie will maybe make a post and tag the stylist. I don’t work with one specific person on clothing and accessories. It makes it boring. But this hair though…it was all me.” She had it pulled tight into a low ponytail, a Titleist hat shading her face from the sun and any onlookers.
“Hmm, I like it.”
“Shhh.” She quieted my flirting, Daniel approaching to help her with her shot.
Daniel, who was smitten with some doctor, seemed to sense Billy’s charms were all for me and didn’t mind. He greeted her, turning up his Scottish accent and charm. “I’m a huge fan. I mean, who isn’t?”
She blushed and smiled, casting her gaze to the green. “But I’m taken,” Billy told Daniel, likely more for my assurances.
“Well there’s a lady I know…and she may not be hip to it yet, but I’m taken. By her,” Daniel joked with Billy.
A small laugh bubbled up her chest. “Well, I hope this lady catches on. I can tell you’re not one to pass up…”
The two of them instantly bonded, and Billy didn’t even flinch as he got up close and personal with her on her stroke.
The morning rushed along, the early haze fading to blue skies and an easiness blanketing everything.
Tonight’s event barely looming in the recesses of my brain, I felt settled. Somewhere in my mind I tried to reel in the feeling. Content could be wonderful or an omen. My parents had been content—right? At least it felt that way.
When Daniel came up behind Billy for the fifth or sixth time to help with her stroke, I started to find it hard not to bat him out of the way.
“I can do that, you know?” I quipped. “I was a college golfer too.” I said it in jest, but in my chest it felt anything but cheery.
“Not the tour though. Been a long time for you,” Daniel remarked back.
“I still play…”
We kept at the banter for a bit, and it felt good to act like mindless guys until Billy cooed, “Now, boys,” while staring at me.
“What?” I asked innocently…
“It’s golf. I’m trying to get better, not date the pro.” The last part was a whisper meant for me.
“Good,” I growled in return and went back to the task at hand—beating Daniel.
When we finished, I thanked my friend and made sure he knew to take care of Billy when it came to future lessons.
“Privacy is the name of the game, both on her being at the club, and her and me,” I instructed him.
“I get it, she’s famous and your woman. I’m not moving in,” he said.
“Well, I don’t know about that…” I’d started to say when Billy bounded up to my side.
Daniel exchanged information with Frank, and Billy said she’d be back for more lessons. “Thank you for the discretion,” she told Daniel.
In my opinion, he took it to mean the privacy on the course when Billy said it, but I felt her words were more anchored in my being there and the affection she had displayed toward me. Maybe it was wishful thinking. It didn’t matter—Daniel wasn’t one to spread rumors or run to the news outlets. He’d had a lifetime of shit when it came to his parents running his life. He was all about letting others live their best lives. Problem was my best life was with Billy, and I wasn’t hers…
Now as I washed off the sweat from my bike ride, I allowed the water to rinse away any disappointment andbest lifemisgivings lingering in my heart. I was here—in the shower at Willa’s—and no one else was here (except the dog walker). So what if she had an event? I was the one she was returning to…at least, I hoped.
We’d spent last night with one another and had coffees and laughs before golf, yet I couldn’t shake the hurt clawing at the edges of my pride.
We’d texted a little during the day. She mentioned Ford said hello and wanted to know about my ride.
