“Okay, slow down, lady,” I say, shaking my head. “Just because you’re happy and in love doesn’t mean everyone else is surrounded by hearts and rainbows.”
Willow looks confused and I immediately try to backpedal from that unintentional cynicism.
“I just mean, it’s new between Maverick and me. Yes, we met at the hospital, but we’re so different. We didn’t want anyone to know until we figured out if it was going to work between us.”
There. That’s as close to the truth as I can make it.
“You know they say, opposites attract.” Willow smiles. “You’re just what Maverick needs. Someone calm and steady to show him he can relax and let down his guard.”
Our lunch is delivered, saving me from having to fabricate a response to that. But part of me wonders what Maverick is guarding himself from.
Willow fills the time while we’re eating with updates on her relationship with Ronan Sinclair, the new first baseman for the Tridents. They’re so happy together, even though I know they had a couple of bumps in the road not that long ago.
When we’re finished, Willow grabs the bill with a wink aimed my way. “Business expense, girlfriend. We discussed the media situation surrounding one of my players.”
I choke out a laugh, but don’t argue with a free lunch. As we leave the diner, I start to turn toward my parked car when Willow gestures toward the large stadium. “Are you coming to see Mav? When I left, he was almost done with his rehab session. I can show you were to find him if you want.”
“Oh, um,” I try to come up with an excuse but fail as Willow looks at me expectantly. “Yeah, sure. That would be great, thanks.”
I fall in step beside her, and we cross the short distance to the stadium grounds. She opens a back door and leads me through a maze of corridors that has me feeling dizzy. But then we come to a stop outside large glass doors with the Tridents’ logo. And there he is.
Walking toward us, his shirt is wet with sweat and a towel is draped over his neck. His arm is in a sling again, and a scowl isetched across his face. His intense masculinity has me swallowing down the rush of unwelcome attraction I feel. Fine, he’s an attractive man. Doesn’t mean I want to do anything about it.
“Mav, look who I found,” Willow calls out, and his head snaps up to look at us. To his credit, he doesn’t falter, walking straight to us with an emotionless face.
“Hi,” I say softly, waiting to see what he does.
“Hey, Specs,” is his gruff reply. Then, to my utter shock, he leans in and his lips graze my cheek, making me shiver. He moves beside me, and as if I wasn’t stunned enough, I feel his hand grasp mine. “Hi, Willow. I didn’t realize you know Sadie.”
How the hell is he so calm right now? I look at his face, and it’s still unreadable. Willow, on the other hand, is grinning so wide, I can’t imagine her face doesn’t hurt.
“Okay, I’m sorry, but this is freaking adorable. I’m so happy for you two.” She claps her hands together.
“Who are we happy for?”
We all turn at the new voice, and an unfamiliar older man wearing a suit comes striding down the hall.
“Hi, my girl. Mav,” he greets Willow and Maverick, then turns to me, his hand outstretched. “Mike Cartwright. Are you one of Willow’s friends?”
“She’s dating Mav!” Willow blurts out before I can say anything, and I feel Maverick’s hand tighten around mine.
The man, Mike, raises his eyebrows as he glances from me to the man next to me. Then his eyes drop down to where Maverick is still holding my hand.
“Right. You’re the one from the photo.”
Just then, everything clicks. This isMike Cartwright. As in, Willow’s uncle. As in, the owner of the team. I gulp and nod.
“Yes, I am. Nice to meet you.” Everything is on the line for Maverick. I have to sell this. Dropping his hand, I lift mine to shake Mike’s hand.
“Well, I hope our guy treats you right.” There’s no mistaking the intense stare he turns on Maverick, and I slip my arm around his waist, leaning in with what I hope is a smitten expression.
“He does, I promise.”
Mike’s face softens as he looks back at me. “Good. Nice to see you, Mav. I hear I’ll be getting an update on your recovery from the team later today. Hope it’s good news. I’d better run, Willow, we have that budget meeting. Are you coming?”
“Yup.” Willow wraps me in a hug, whispering in my ear, “So, so, so happy for you. We’ll catch up soon.”
Then she’s gone, along with her uncle, and I’m left standing there, arm in arm with Maverick. I step away instantly, and to my surprise, I miss the feel of his solid body against mine.
