Later that night,I find myself in the hotel bar, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses creating a backdrop for the quiet after the game. The lighting is dim, casting a warm glow over the polished wood of the bar top. Lex sits across from me, his drink in hand, the ice cubes tinkling as he swirls them absentmindedly.
We’re both still riding the high of the win, though the exhaustion is starting to creep in.
Lex leans back in his chair, his sharp features softened by the amber glow of the room.
“Please tell me you’re not serious about going after BJ?” I say to Lex after learning about Walter’s idea earlier today.
Lex’s eyes turn sympathetic—he’s one of the few staff who knew about our relationship. “It’s not personal, Lottie.”
“Oh, Jesus,” I mutter. “Before you say anymore, the answer will always be no.”
He gives me a single nod. “His name was thrown into the ring, and Walter pounced on it. I’ll extinguish further discussions.”
“Thanks.”
The players file into the bar, and I glance over at River, tipping my drink in his direction. “He stepped up today.”
Lex pivots on his barstool to see who I am talking about. “Ah. The boy did great.” He pushes his empty glass on thebar, then stands and kisses my cheek. “When the players arrive, it’s time for me to disappear.”
“Coward,” I say with a laugh.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nod at Lex, watching as he walks toward the exit, past Dwayne standing by the double wooden doors, keeping a watchful eye on me.
It’s time I call it a night as well.
“What are we drinking?” a bubbly voice asks from behind me. River slides onto the barstool and taps his fingers on the bar while looking at me. “I thought you’d be smiling, boss. It was a good win.”
Now I am smiling. “It was a needed win.”
“So why are you looking all uptight and serious like Zasu?”
“Zasu?”
“Yeah, inTheLion King.”
“I… um…” Instead of being confused by his words, I’m taken aback by the gold flecks in his honey eyes. I’ve never been this close to notice River’s alluring eyes since he’s a good foot taller than me, and most of our conversations have taken place courtside. A slow smile spreads across his face as if he is aware he has affected me in some way.
“Why can’t a nose be twelve inches?”
What?
His broad smile highlights his entire face. I blink several times, comprehending what he is saying. My gaze hones in on his nose—slender and not at all pointy.
A twelve-inch nose…my mind wanders, and I fail to hide a smirk.
“Ah, c’mon, boss. Don’t let your mind go there. It can’t be twelve inches, or it would be a foot.”
I laugh and take a drink of my wine. “That was a little funny.”
“A little funny? You were smiling, but I don’t think it was about the joke. You have a dirty mind.”
“Well, that’s about as far as it goes,” I say into my glass, only loud enough for River to hear.
He assesses me and then orders a scotch from the bar. “You need to smile more,” he tells me, then clinks his glass to mine. “Your blue eyes sparkle, and it’s prettier than the sunlight dancing on the ocean.”
I look away, my lips curling upward. “Points to you for making the boss smile.”
