“No. I’ll make sure of it.” Her reputation would not be ruined. She would not be used like Charles wanted. “Come on, let’s find our seats and we can go look at the pups later.”
She nodded and guilt ate away at me. Her joy was gone, and I blamed the photographer. He’d ruined the mood, and it was up to me to make her happy again. A game plan was needed, but this wasn’t the baseball field.Networking.I could introduce her to people. “Okay, what would you like to drink?”
“Hm. Moscow Mule.”
“Great choice,” I said, ordering one for her and a glass of water for me from our waiter. “The copper mugs would always make me feel cool.”
She snickered and continued to observe the event. The back of her dress showed her entire upper back and I let my arm rest on her chair so my fingers grazed her skin. Goosebumps broke out on her skin and she rested her chin on her hands when she looked at me. “You didn’t order a drink.”
“I did not.”
“Do you not drink?” she asked, without any hint of judgment in her tone. It was reassuring to me that I didn’t think she’d care what my answer was. Yes or no, she’d just nod.
“Taking a break from it.”
“Good for you.” She nodded and narrowed her eyes and spoke quieter. “Any reason why? It’s a personal question, I know, so no pressure to answer if you don’t want.”
“How about we trade intrusive questions?”
“How fun.” She wiggled her brows in a move that made her look like a cartoon character. “So why take a break?”
“I feel it’s best for me to stop for a bit. Some things got out of control and choosing to not drink alcohol is something I can take control of.”
“Is this related to your sports ball problem?” she asked, looking sadder than a moment before. Her face had so many expressions that I had a hard time keeping up.
“It is, yes.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re able to make that decision for yourself.” She leaned back in her chair and into my arm, andfuck, it felt nice. “Will me drinking bother you?”
“Not at all, but thanks for asking.” God, she was cute. Her kindness, her freckles, her ability to not judge others. “Okay, my turn.”
“Give me your most intrusive question. I’ll brace myself for it.” She put both hands on the table and closed her eyes. “Shoot.”
I faltered. What did I want to ask her? If she wished my phone hadn’t rung that day? If I’d kissed her? If this was crazy? I didn’t get a word out before that same photographer neared our table. “Damn.”
“What?” She opened one eye and made a face like she was expecting pain. “That bad of a question?”
“No, that photographer guy is sniffing around again.”
“Oh, well, here.” She scooted her chair farther from me, breaking the contact between us, and red splotches colored her neck. “There.”
“You being out of reach helps the situation…how?” I asked, a little irritated.
“So no one will think we are together.” Her face fell and she tilted her head to the side when I made an annoyed sound. “Because you said so earlier?”
“Christ.” I grabbed the arm of her chair and dragged her closer to me. “That is… You misunderstood.”
“How so?” She jutted her chin up in defiance, and maybe it was the way her red lips called out to me or the fact that I could be me without worrying about stats or sponsors or the arrest. I cupped her chin and ran my thumb over that plump lip.
“I have my question now.”
“Okay? You’re all over the place, Brigham.”
“Can I kiss you?”
Chapter Seven
Sarah
