“I said, stop.” I kicked his foot under the table.
“You are so damn sexy when you’re flustered.” He pulled the menu down and leaned in to brush my lips. “Dating you is fun.”
“Emily? I thought that was you.”
I turned to find Sharon standing next to our table, a squeamish look on her face as she glanced between us.
“Hey, Sharon. You remember Jesse.”
“Yes, hi.” She nodded at Jesse. “I didn’t realize you were back together.”
“It happened after the article. How are you?”
It had been just as awkward on the video call with her. For someone so well-versed in public speaking, small talk was not her forte. But that could have been due to lack of interest. At the end of our discussion, I’d asked if she wanted to get lunch sometime or schedule a follow-up call if she needed more info, but she’d ended the call quickly and I’d never heard from her again until she’d tagged me in the post.
Once she’d gotten the information she’d needed from me to pump our connection, she’d had no interest inconnectingwith me since I’d served my purpose. I’d already more than suspected her sweet new persona was a mask, so I was more amused than insulted.
“I was going to reach out to you in the morning. Someone wanted to contact you after seeing the article, and I wanted your permission first before I passed along your information.”
I hadn’t had many inquiries for new clients, just a few offers to be a sports influencer on social media because of the college shots of me Sharon had included with the post. I’d been relieved that was all it had been since the article’s circulation.
“Who wanted my information?”
“Raina Nello.”
“Are you serious?” I blurted out, my eyes bugging out of my head before I could help it.
“Who’s Raina Nello?” Jesse asked.
“She played on the last US women’s soccer team to win consecutive World Cups. My grandfather made me a fan because she was an Italian American soccer player.” I turned back to Sharon. “I saw that she liked the post, but I don’t understand why she’d want to contact me.”
“Rumor has it she’s writing a memoir. Maybe she’s looking for an editor?” Sharon grinned, her eyes a little feral. “I’d be happy to help promote if I’m right. She’s a huge advocate for women in sports and female entrepreneurship. I could almost see a whole exclusive series. I’d love to support you.”
Supportme.Right, I wanted to say. An exclusive post about Raina Nello’s memoir would draw in all the big health and fitness sponsors that Sharon loved to feature. I laughed, thinking of our video call and how she kept trying to change the subject of how I’d played soccer on a full scholarship in college while earning my communications degree to shift focus to the famous-to-her authors I worked with instead.
I was surprised she’d included the soccer photos, but I had no doubt she’d push the fact that it washerarticle about me responsible for connecting us and celebrate herself as she pretended to celebrate me.
“I’m so glad that I could make this happen for you.”
“Well,” Jesse began, stretching his arm along the back of my chair. “I read the post. And it was a great piece about Emily, but that’s because Emily herself is pretty amazing. She’s had a successful career and was an incredible athlete, whether or not she went pro. It’s great that you were able to make theconnection, but my girl gave you the tools to do it. So I’m glad she was able to do this foryou.”
At thirty-nine years old, hearing Jesse call me his girl shouldn’t have given me the same rush as when I was eighteen. I didn’t need him to put Sharon in her place for me, and I was very grateful, no matter what her intentions were, that she’d given me a chance to possibly work with a childhood hero of mine.
But watching Jesse get insulted on my behalf was a huge turn-on.
“Yes, it’s all wonderful,” I told Sharon as she glared at Jesse. “Tell Raina I’d be happy to connect.”
“Great.” She straightened, pushing a tight smile across her mouth. “I will let her know tonight and get back to you if anyone else reaches out. Have a great dinner.”
“Thanks,” Jesse called after her, looping an arm across my shoulder.
“That was kinda hot.” I ran the tip of my knee-high boot up and down over Jesse’s shin. “Unnecessary, but hot.”
I put down my menu and slid my hand to the back of Jesse’s neck and pressed my lips against his.
“Still my biggest fan?” I teased.
He smiled into the kiss and cupped my jaw.
