She continued, her voice informative. “The Redrocks are selecting a mascot, and we’d like your school to participate in the voting process.”
“Yes, we’d love you to jump in with both feet,” he added.
She squeezed his knee tighter and pressed her lips together.
The VP glanced back and forth between the two of them. He knew something was going on under his nose; he just wasn’t sure what.
Sheila released Brock and pulled out a flyer, explaining about the mascot tryout events, as well as the big reveal of the animal the children decided on. “All the information is here, and we have additional flyers in the front office that you can distribute to the teachers and staff. We feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for the children to be involved with the team and the community.”
The VP’s jowls shook in disbelief as he scanned the flyer. “You’re really letting elementary-aged children pick the mascot for the team?”
Brock leaned forward, pointing to the top of the desk. “This isn’t swimming laps—it’s state championships. Every stroke, every kick, every vote counts.”
Sheila shot to her feet. Brock jumped up too.
“Thank you so much for your time. If you have any questions, please feel free to call my office.” She placed a card on the desk and smacked Brock’s belly with the back of her hand as she left.
She was good. She made it all the way out the double doors before she broke into a smile. “I’m going to make you sit in the car next time.”
He rocked his head from side to side. “I’m just getting warmed up.”
“Really?” She cocked an eyebrow in challenge.
He sobered. “But if you tell anyone on the team what I just told you, I will have your car towed.”
She laughed, his threat not at all threatening. “Sure. Sure.”
They visited three more schools. At each one, he did his best to give Sheila a hard time, using every swimming and water reference he could come up with. At one point, he took her phone from her hand and spun it like a top on the desk—just to see what she would do. She didn’t even pause in her delivery.
At the end of their route, she relaxed into the seat of his truck and leaned her elbow against the door. “I’m a little confused.”
“A speedo is a tight pair of—”
“No.” Her eyes danced over him, and he got the feeling she wouldn’t mind seeing him in a speedo now. He sucked in his gut and puffed out his chest. “You guys moan and groan during the season when I hand out assignments, but in the off-season, you volunteer and bring two guys with you. Why is that?”
He swallowed, his mouth having gone dry. “Weird, right?”
“Right.” She waited for his answer.
He kept his eyes straight ahead. “Maybe I needed the right motivation.”
“And what was that? Because I already told you I can’t compensate you.”
Ah, heck. He needed to just say it. “I wanted to spend time with you.”
She ducked her head. “Brock, my sister …”
“Was not … fun.”
Sheila turned toward him.
He took in a breath. “Look. We went out. We talked. It was all average. And I know I shouldn’t compare two women—especially sisters—but I’ve had more fun with you in the last hour than I did in a whole evening with Kelly.”
Sheila wrapped her arms around her middle and leaned forward. “Why do you have to make this so hard?”
“I’m not trying to.” He pulled the truck into a parking spot at the stadium. Ricky was leaning against Julia’s car, a wicked grin on his face. Heath and Ashley weren’t back yet. He wondered if they had stopped at the cages for that private lesson. Then he wondered how it was going. “Tell me you haven’t had fun with me, and I’ll be Mr. Professional from here on out. But if you’ve had a good time, even a little bit of one, then we should have more fun together.”
She turned towards him and rubbed her red lips together, drawing his gaze. The air grew thick with anticipation and sparked with attraction.
