“Lots of life left to live,” I reply because I don’t know what else to say.
“I’m probably going to retire soon,” Sully says softly, like a secret shared only with me. “I injured my shoulder a couple of seasons ago, and it hurts more and more each year.”
As if out of habit, Sully rubs at his shoulder. I have this odd urge to reach up and touch the tender spot, even more so when he scowls at his own touch. But instead, I grip my wineglass tighter and grimace in sympathy when he looks my way.
“What will you do after you retire?”
A flush steals over Sully’s face as a shy smile tilts his lips up. Oh. I dig my toes into my dress shoes until it hurts, anything to center myself because I don’t think I’ve felt this level of attraction in a very long time.
“I have a degree in computer science, so I’ll probably just get a normal-person job. I never planned to stay in the league for long.” Sully blows out a breath as he once again looks up at the sky. “I grew up in the system, so the league was mostly a way to set myself up for success. The league has a great pension too… I wanted to ensure I could provide for my family for a long time.”
“Your family?”
“My future family,” Sully says softly with a hint of embarrassment.
“That’s sweet,” I admit without a hint of teasing. That is sweet. He’s so young to be thinking of the future.
“Where do you live back in the States?” Sully asks just before finishing his glass of wine. He tips the glass to hold the stem between his forefinger and middle finger. For some reason, I find that way hotter than I should. When I glance back up, he’s staring at me in wait.
I clear my throat softly. “Oregon.”
“Ah, I’m in Seattle. I play for the team that Bailey will be joining.”
“The Seahawks?”
Sully grins, all teeth and a bit of smirk. “So, you do knowsomefootball?”
I snort. “I’d have to be blind not to know the Seahawks. What do you do in your free time?”
“I love a good nap, but I love to go for a hike. Oregon has a lot of good hiking, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” I admit slowly, a niggle of shame working its way through me. “I just work so much that I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like. All I do is work and sleep.”
“Makes life short when all you do is work and sleep. This must be hard for you.”
My eyebrows furrow. “What’s hard for me?”
Sully sweeps his hand out to gesture at the land around us. “Taking a break? No work for a week. What will you do?”
“I don’t know yet.” I rub anxiously at my neck as I polish off my cabernet. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“I was thinking of going for a wine tour tomorrow. Would you like to join me?”
I stare up at Sully in the hushed darkness. His deep blue eyes are soft as he gazes down at me, mouth slightly tipped up into a shy but tender smile. I could sit around and watch my dear sister fall deeper in love with her future husband, or I could galivant around with Sully. The decision is pretty easy to make.
“I’d love to go with you,” I reply before I can talk myself out of it.
Sully’s answering grin could illuminate the darkest of nights.
