“Right,” Claudia said with a nod. “Understood. Just catch my eye if you need to escape to the loo for a gossip or cry, got it?”
I couldn’t have written Claudia to be more perfect for Wes or me. I’d always wanted a sister, and it seemed like I was finally getting my wish.
“Thank you.”
I was preemptively sad that they were leaving the next day.
“Don’t worry, Wes and I will keep it light.” Claudia pulled the towel off her head, and she could’ve tucked her wet hair behind her ears and looked perfect. “I guarantee the two of them will cozy up to discuss Barnham stats. We’ll be football widows in the corner, nursing our pints.”
I didn’t correct her that I couldn’t be a widow without first being at least wife-adjacent.
Thirty minutes later we were both glossy and ready to go. Claudia left to meet Wes in the lobby while I finished packingmy things and shoving them into the locker. We planned to swing by and pick up our bags either at the end of the night, thanks to Owen and his all-access status, or if things got sloppy, the next morning.
I’d opted to straighten my hair and wear a flowy white skirt and black tank top that I realized too late dipped a little too low. I channeled Meredith and threw my shoulders back.
I might not have achieved off-duty model status like Claudia, but I lookedgood.
I’d forgotten to pack any sort of purse for the night, so I tucked my lip gloss, ID, and credit card in my bra and headed for the lobby. I was so busy adjusting my boobs to make sure their purse status wasn’t obvious through my thin tank that I wasn’t looking where I was going until it was too late.
“There she is!”
I looked up and froze with my hand cupped on my underboob.
It was breathtaking, smiling Kai, staring at me like he’d been waiting to see me.
“Ohmygosh, you scared me,” I breathed, moving my hand quickly.“Hi.”
My central nervous system had taken a beating during the game, so I felt like my body responded to seeing him with a “for fuck’s sake, whatnow?” despite the fact that he was the sole reason I was in the club to begin with.
“Hey, yourself.” He moved a step closer, scanning me so quickly that I nearly missed it. “You never texted me back the other day.”
“Huh?” I frowned at him. “But I did. At least I think I did.”
No, I was sure I did, since I’d waited for him to respond.Funny that I hadn’t obsessed about him blowing me off, but then again, I’d had plenty on my plate over the past few days.
“That’s weird. I didn’t get it.” He leaned against the wall. “You look gorgeous. Where are you off to?”
“Thanks.” I smiled reflexively. The compliment wiped away his white lie about my text. “My brother and his fiancée are visiting from England so we’re going out tonight. Dinner, drinks, the usual.”
“Nice. I’m heading out after I play; maybe we can link up later?” He smiled, and for the first time, I noticed the dimples I’d somehow missed.
My stomach plummeted. Of course, part of me wanted to jump at the opportunity, but not now. Not tonight. Our little foursome had the perfect equilibrium, and adding Kai would throw it off for a bunch of different reasons.
“That would be fun,” I said convincingly. “I’m not sure exactly where we’re heading, but why don’t you text me later and we can figure it out then?”
It was a little test. If he really wanted to meet up, he could reach out, but I wasn’t about to text him first.
“Done.” He cocked his eyebrow and pointed a finger at me. “We’re making this happen. Right?”
I manufactured a smile to prove that us meeting up was exactly what I wanted even as my gut warned me that it was a terrible idea.
“Right. See you later.”
Kai smiled softly at me, holding my gaze for a beat longer than necessary. “I really hope so.”
Thatlook. Weaponized swooniness and thoroughly convincing.
I couldn’t tell if the off-kilter sensation rolling through me was anticipation or worry that I might be forced to navigate Kai and Owen at the same time.
