I notice how, even though Alex gives me a sassy harrumph, she rests more of her weight against me. Then I get distracted by things Ishouldn’tnotice, like how easy it would be to brush her hair aside, to press my lips to the crook of her neck.
“Tenny,” Mags says, almost as if she’s already said it once.
I lift my head with a noisy inhale. “Yes, ma’am.”
My motion causes Alex to lean away, and I try not to pout over the loss of contact.
“I asked what your plans were,” she says with a smile in her voice.
“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. But listen, I’ve got team obligations, but I’ll send one of our staffers to make sure you’re taken care of while you wait for Alex. She should be done before me.”
“No need. Mallory is keeping me company until you’re both free.”
“That’s wonderful,” I tell Mags. “We’ll see you soon.”
I hang up the call, my breath trapped in my chest when Alex doesn’t immediately move away. She seems to waver, almost as if she wants to lean back into me. My chin tilts down expectantly, my halting exhale ruffling her hair.
When Alex peeks at me from over her shoulder, I forget my first name, what I’m even doing in this tiny closet. All I know is my twitchy fingers want to trace the soft edge of her jaw andsmooth down her spine at the same time. I’m two seconds from flipping her to face me when Alex clears her throat and takes a large step toward the closed door.
“I should get back to…”
“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck.
She silently slides out of the room, leaving me behind to come to grips with everything.
I’m even more excited about tonight, about the chance to show Alex just how wrong she is about me. There’s just something I need to do first.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket, shaking some dirt off it from my slide into second. My personal assistant, Friedrich, answers on the first ring.
“Yes, Tenny?”
It took me a little while to get used to his clipped German efficiency, but let me tell you, if you want something done, ask Friedrich.
“I need you to do some research on office chairs…”
Chapter 10
Alex
“If you’re getting tired, we could head back to the hotel. I’m sure Tenny wouldn’t mind us meeting him later,” I tell Mags, hoping she’ll take me up on my offer.
My feet and back are aching, but Mags looks like a kid after inhaling an oversized soda and giant cotton candy. Unlike my other grandmother, who passed when I was a kid, Mags has always been a ball of energy. She rarely sits down, and even when she’s standing, she’s swaying or tapping her foot. I once asked Mags why she’s always moving, and she told me she’s simply connecting with the energy around her.
Apparently, ballpark post-game energy is akin to a college frat dance party, because Mags keeps bouncing to a beat the rest of us can’t hear. It’s a miracle I was able to drag her this far outof the stadium, waiting beside the ticket booths. All I want is to get in my rental, drive us back to my hotel, and lie on the surprisingly comfortable mattress.
“Some of the other players have already come out. I’m sure he’s not far behind,” she tells me, craning her neck like a fangirl about to get a glimpse of her favorite celebrity.
“You could look less excited to see him.” I lean onto one hip in an attempt to take some of the pressure off my back. “His ego is already big enough as it is.”
When Mags gives me a quizzical stare, I realize my mistake. But before I correct my very ungirlfriend-like comment, Tenny jogs up to us.
“Thanks for waiting. Sorry it took longer than expected.”
“Not a problem, dear. I’ve got nothing but time.” She gives him a beaming smile before pulling him into a hug. “Now tell me. What’s the plan for tonight?”
Tenny has keptus bothin the dark about his “fun idea.”
He looks around dramatically, as if checking the coast is clear, and I find myself stifling a laugh. “As you know, pudding and I can’t be seen together. As much as I’d love to take you ladies out to dinner, you’ll have to settle for my cooking tonight.”
