“I told him about the idea of shooting hoops.” Rhys mimes tossing a basketball. “He liked that.”
I’ll do whatever it takes to get him to open up. I made a promise to his wife that I’d help him and their son. I fully intend to follow through.
“Does he know what I’m working with?” I flex my right bicep. “Is he sure he wants to take this on?”
“I told you that my dad has some moves on the court, Wolf.” He steps onto the street once the light changes. “He may surprise you.”
I fall in step beside him again. “We’ll see.”
“You could hold back and let him win.” He smiles. “My mom would do that when they played cards.”
I can see that. Deidre was the type of woman who would give you the shirt off her back and help you put it on.
“I can’t make any promises, Rhys.” I toss him a wink. “You get him to the court, and I’ll size him up.”
“Deal.” He jerks a thumb to the left. “That hot dog cart is the best in the city. My folks took me there for the first time when I was five.”
Memories like that are what will get him moving forward. It’s my job to make sure he keeps heading in that direction.
An hour later,I stand and gaze into the windows at the front of Wild Lilac. Athena is inside talking to two women.
She’s smiling in that way that melts every heart within a thousand miles. I’ve seen it when we’ve been out for dinner or during her classes.
She puts everyone at ease. Her voice is soothing and calm. It’s impossible not to fall in love with her, and I swear to God, that’s what is happening to me.
I should go in and sweep her off her feet.
I doubt like hell that anyone inside the store would mind if I gathered her in my arms and kissed her senseless.
I want to.
She made my night last night. She’s made my year. Hell, she’s making me imagine a life where I can be happy every day. A life where the past doesn’t matter and the future is brighter than I ever imagined it could be.
My phone’s alarm sounds in the pocket of my jeans.
I don’t need to check it.
I fucking know what it is.
I tear myself away from the beautiful vision in front of me and take off down the sidewalk.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Athena
I skippedthrough my weekend with a smile on my face. No one knew what that was about. When I went to Jeremy and Linny’s brownstone for dinner last night, they both shot me looks. Neither of them asked why I was happy. They assumed it was because business has picked up at the store.
It has.
I arrived to work early on this Monday morning because I had a flood of online orders come in yesterday. Leanna is on her way in so we can tackle them together before Al shows up to handle the deliveries.
My life is falling into place in a way I never dreamed it could.
My business is picking up, and I’m seeing an incredible man.
I slept with that man on Friday, and my body is still thrumming from that experience.
Who the hell knew that sex could be that good?
