With a mental shake, I directed my attention to Bax.“Introductions?”
“Sorry.I forgot how little time you’ve spent at Stromboli’s this semester.”The censure in his tone told me he hadn’t forgotten at all.
I’d spent my time in class, studying, and working my way onto the team with impromptu practices after weight training and at actual practices.That hadn’t left much time for hanging out in bars.
“This is my girlfriend, Piper Maxwell.”
“Cash Donovan.”I extended my hand.“Nice to meet you.”
“This is my lady, Jamaica Winslow,” Callahan added.
I shook her hand.“You two seem kinda classy to be hanging out with this riffraff.”
“Someone has to civilize them,” Piper said with a grin in the direction of Bax’s T-shirt.
With a sage nod, I said, “You are brave women.”
“You have no idea.”A hint of steel edged Callahan’s playful tone.
Turning to my mystery lady at last, I asked, “What’s your name?”
She couldn’t miss the challenge in my question.Nor could she avoid it since everyone’s eyes were on us with no masks to hide behind.
Extending her hand to me, she said, “Saylor Davis.Nice to meet you, Cash.”
The fine whiskey of her alto voice washed over me and heat traveled up my arm and through my body as I held her hand for several seconds longer than polite.My brow went up when she didn’t try to pull away, and I grinned.
“Dalton says in order for us to help the SCRs win this tournament, we have to team up with them.Apparently, little sisters to the house count.”I let my gaze drop to the SCR insignia on her shirt.“May I partner up with you?”
With a tilt of her head, she eyed me in my old concert T-shirt and cargo shorts.“I’m already com—”
Piper cut her off.“Don’t worry about pairing up with me, girlfriend.I’m happy to share you with Cash.”She snuggled closer to Bax, mischief gleaming in her eyes.“Gives me more opportunity to cheer for Wyatt.”
“Piper.”Saylor dragged her friend’s name out for about a minute.
“Seriously.My cornhole game is a handicap to the house anyway,” Piper said.“Bet Cash will be all kinds of help for the cause.”She slid me a private wink, which I returned with a slight upturn at the corner of my mouth.
Good to know that when it came to my mystery lady—Saylor—I had someone in my corner.Someone who wasn’t one of my tight-lipped future roommates.
I lifted my glass in her direction and took a drink.“Sweet.Glad that’s settled.”
The rest of the group watched our exchange like spectators at a ping-pong match.
Remembering my manners, I said, “You probably need a beverage before this event gets serious, yeah?”I offered her my elbow.“Let me buy you a drink.”
Saylor gifted me a long-suffering glare.“The drinks are on the house—literally.”
Grinning, I said, “I know.How convenient, since I’m empty and you don’t have one yet.”I stuck my elbow out more and waggled my brows.“We should remedy our situation pronto, don’tcha think?”
Blowing out a breath, she caved and took my proffered arm, but her actions said she was only doing it because we had an audience.
“So, Saylor Davis, we meet again—with names this time,” I said as we walked up the sidewalk toward the deck.“Pretty name.I like it a lot more than Mystery Lady.”
She wrinkled her nose.“Mystery Lady?”
“Since you gave me nothing else besides the hottest kiss of my life, that’s all I had.”
Some of the tension left her hand holding my elbow.“The hottest kiss of your life, huh?”A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her luscious lips.
