Sarah held her gaze for a couple of beats more before letting out a breath and saying, “Got it, Coach.” But the lilt in her voice and the glint in Sarah’s eye set off a tiny alarm in the back of Haddie’s mind. Something told her this wasn’t her goalie’s first rodeo when it came to blackmail, and that was both impressive and terrifying, especially since Haddie thought blackmail was only something that happened in fiction.
“Okay, then,” Haddie said. “Your bucket is full, so get back to work.”
Teddy saluted her again and grabbed the bucket by the handle. “Got it, Coach!” he said and took off back to his and Sarah’s station. That was when Haddie realized that Sarah had approached her before Teddy showed up with the bucket.
“Did you need something else, Sarah?” Haddie asked.
Sarah gave her a mischievous smile. “Nope,” she said, then spun on her heel and sauntered away.
“Shit,” Haddie mumbled, and then she shrieked as a blast of icy water sprinkled the back of her tank. She spun to find Levi absently staring at the sky as he refilled another group’s bucket, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Don’t be flirty,she silently warned him, hoping he might get the hint. But when she glanced to where Teddy and Sarah were working with their latest car-wash customer, she found Sarah staring right back over the frames of her sunglasses. From here on out, Haddieand Levi would have to watch their every move because as long as they were on school grounds or at a school event, someone would be watching them.
Chapter 18
On Sunday afternoon, Levi was still nursing his wounds fromhis team’s second loss when he and Haddie showed up at the formal-wear shop, effectively named Posh. Since the weather was still warm, he and Haddie had decided to walk.
“We can talk strategy tonight if you want,” she told him. “I mean, I know I’m still new to the whole coaching gig, but wehavewon twice.”
“Ouch,” Levi replied. “But yeah…maybe we can practice together this week so my guys can see what your team is doing right?”
Haddie nodded absently, but she was looking past him and across the square.
“So that’s where the coffee shop is,” she mumbled. “Note…to…self.”
Levi paused outside the shop door. “I thought you liked to save money by brewing at home.”
“Huh?” she asked. “Right! I do. I was just thinking that it’s almost pumpkin-spice-latte season, so it’s always a good plan to know where to get one.”
Levi nodded. “I didn’t know you were a latte person.”
“I’m not!” Haddie blurted out, then laughed nervously. “But…you know. Sometimes I like to switch it up. Which reminds me… I think for this week, I’m going to drive myself to school. I’ve got some early-morning meetings, so you might as well sleep in.”
“Haddie, I don’t mind—”
“No, it’s cool!” she interrupted. “We don’t always need to ride together, right?”
Levi pulled open the glass door, brows furrowed. “Everything okay with you?”
“You’re here!” Emma exclaimed, popping out from behind a rack of ginormous white dresses that looked like they weighed as much as Levi did.
In a white T-shirt that readI’m the freaking bride!in plain black letters, Emma bounded toward Haddie and wrapped her in a giant hug.
Levi watched quizzically as, for a second, Haddie stood still as a statue, but then her shoulders relaxed and she reciprocated the display of affection for her friend.
He spun slowly, taking in his surroundings and realizing that—other than a corner of brightly colored garments he guessed were for bridesmaids—he was surrounded, wall to wall and rack to rack with varying shades of white and cream in varying levels of poofiness.
“Um…Emma?” Levi began. “I don’t see my brother or anything remotely resembling a tuxedo. Should I be worried about what I’ve committed to wearing as far as best-man attire?” Levi certainly didn’t fault anyone who felt comfortable wearing a dress.Hejust wasn’t one of those people, especially when he was prettysure the best man was not supposed to upstage the bride.
As if being summoned, Matteo appeared from behind a red velvet curtain on the opposite side of the shop, clearing his throat. They all turned to find him decked out in everything from a top hat to shiny leather wing tips.
Haddie made a choking sound.
Levi snorted. “I swear to god if there is a rabbit in that hat, I might piss myself laughing.”
Matteo’s jaw clenched. “Ems…” the younger Rourke said through gritted teeth. “I don’t think this is the one.”
Emma winced. “Next one, Layla!” she called to the person Levi guessed was responsible for his brother’s current look. “A little less magician this time!” Then she directed her attention back to her fiancé. “Remember how much you love me, okay?” she pleaded, but Levi could tell she was also trying not to laugh.
