He closes the door and then walks around the desk, where he holds a hand out to pull me up.
I take it.
And then he wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “I hope you don’t mind,” he says in a rough voice.
“What’s this for?” I ask, sinking into the feeling of his arms around me, something I’ve wanted for longer than I care to admit.
“Definitely not because I’m into you,” he says.
“Noted.”
“I just always hug people who help me with media training. You help me get my mental makeup straight? Instant hug. It’s a thing,” he says, overplaying the bit.
I don’t mind. His chest is solid and warm against my cheek, and his arms are secure without being tight. He smells clean from his shower, but the warm, smoky smell of leather from his glove seems to cling to him. I let myself breathe him in, and when I exhale, my shoulders drop.
He’s worked so hard for this. Harder than anyone gives him credit for, including his brother. Maybe even me.
“I’ll miss you,” he tells me. “Who’s going to fuel your addiction?”
“Funny enough, an anonymous admirer bought me a coffee maker,” I say, not letting go.
“Did he? Huh. He must be crazy about you.” He’s swaying now, shifting us from one foot to the next. It makes me breathe deeper.
“He’d better be,” I say.
“He is.”
We pull apart slowly, like we’re both reluctant to let go. He clears his throat. I smooth my blouse. And then we leave the office.
We don’t say a word about the hug, but it follows us through the halls, out the doors, and into the early evening air. We walk side by side to the parking lot—not touching, but close enough that I can feel the heat coming off him, aware of every inch ofspace between us. He stops at his truck. I stop at my car. We look at each other for a beat too long, both smiling like idiots.
“Text me,” I say. “You know, to check in. Tell me how your mock interviews with Logan are going.”
“I will,” he promises.
With a small wave, I get into my car, excited for Spring Training for the first time since Jake and I?—
Jake.
Jake is going to be at Spring Training.
My excitement dries up faster than rain in Phoenix.
I’m going to be fake dating the wrong guy in front of Mr. Right.
I put my hands on the wheel and sit there for a second, frozen.
I don’t know if I’m driving toward something or driving away.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lucas
Isee Scottie before she sees me.
She’s on her laptop working from the lobby when we arrive at the Cruz Desert Oasis Resort in Scottsdale. Her glasses have slid halfway down her nose, but she’s too busy frowning at something on the screen to notice. Considering she doesn’t need them to see, they could probably slide all the way off and she wouldn’t have a clue.
She has her hair pulled into a short ponytail, but a few wisps in the front have fallen out and are framing her face. When she stops and pinches her pursed lips, my body reacts before my brain can catch up, making me bounce on my heels.
