Bailey wipes her mouth. “No. It’s understandable that you’re actually getting to know each other, and offering these tickets to you is just a nice gesture. It’s not like he bought them for you or went out of his way. I’m sure it’s no more than telling the right person at practice the name to put on the list.”
Of course Bailey assumed that Aria wanted confirmation that their attending the game was just a regular part of thispublicity setup, and usually this is what Aria would want. Aria even phrased it to suggest that nothing about this scenario would be abnormal. So why does her heart drop a little at the thought that Griffin inviting her here was an offhand, no-big-deal whim?
“You’re right,” Aria says. “He’s just doing his part to play along.”
Bailey slurps her soda. “Exactly. Just like you are. And you’re both so convincing! He’s a great actor for a football player.”
“Shhh,” Aria says. “You never know who’s listening in public.”
Bailey pulls back. “Sorry.”
Aria reaches out and squeezes her arm.
Aria knows it’s unwise to continue discussing this in public, but it only takes one glance around the box to see that all the other guests are still inside where the food is set up. The stadium is so loud, even without the game in action, that quiet conversation is hard to hear.
Maybe part of Aria didn’t want the conversation to continue. Maybe she wanted to swim a little in the idea that the rapport being built between the two of them could be—at least in part—built on genuine feelings. The pizza didn’tmake up forthe table setting at Enzo’s because Aria loved the table setting. It made her bubble in a particular way that didn’t happen often. For a woman who is constantly being wooed by brands, invited to the most desirable locations, and given access to the best of the best, something as simple as extra thought, extra care being put into considering what she mightlikefor the evening, meant a lot.
This whole arrangement might be a publicity stunt, but Aria cannot deny the fact that Griffin Hayes is golden, throughand through. And whoever he might take to Enzo’s—on a real date—will be a lucky woman.
Aria waits in the box until the stadium is cleared, and Bailey takes off to meet up with some friends for a dinner close by. The last to leave the box, Aria stops at the security post and asks for directions to the locker room.
The guard gives her a weary look, massaging his chin. “We’re really not supposed to give out that information. Security, you know. Plus, Coach runs a tight ship, which means no friends and family in the locker room.”
Aria puts on her most dazzling look. “I know. Trust me, I get it. I promise I won’t go in. I just want to see him before he leaves.”
The security guard’s face falls into a smile. “For you? Take the freight elevator to P2, turn left, then fourth door on the right. But don’t tell them it was me who sent you.”
Aria yelps in delight, then reaches into her bag for a business card that she hands off. “This is my manager. Email her, and she’ll set you up with free tickets to my next local show.”
She doesn’t wait for a reply before waving as she darts off, reciting the directions in whispers under her breath. Aria follows every step, and the rumble of voices that flows out of the locker room door is confirmation that she has arrived in the correct spot.
A few moments later, Griffin strides out, shoulder to shoulder and deep in conversation with another player who Aria can only guess is Elliott. Griffin stops in his tracks when helooks up and meets her eyes. Elliott observes the interaction and hurries a goodbye before continuing on.
She dashes up to him and wraps her hands around his arms. “That touchdown in the fourth quarter? You are Superman in real life!”
Griffin’s face cracks into a deep grin. “I’m so glad you came. I was thinking about you while I was on the field. I even tried to spot you in the box.”
Aria wiggles her shoulders to show off the jersey. “You couldn’t see number 13?”
Griffin’s cheeks flush pink. “I’m honored that you wore it, but no, I couldn’t see from the field. No eagle-eye vision here.”
“Do you have to rush off?” Hope hums inside Aria as the voice in her mind says,Please say no, please say no.
“It depends. I’m definitely not hanging around for extra PT, but if you’re saying you’re free...?” His brows raise as he poses the question.
“For you? I’ll clear my schedule.”
“Perfect. A lot of the guys will be at Enzo’s, so let’s do something else.”
Aria smiles to herself as she and Griffin navigate the inner tunnels of the stadium, working out their plans, transportation logistics, and timing. She played it like she had a schedule to clear, but the truth is that she left it wide open. Wide open in hopes that a moment like this might come together.
Chapter 21
Griffin
Tuesdays are Griffin’s days off—the whole team’s—and even though some players still come in to work out, the stadium is quiet when he pulls into the lot. He and Aria are scheduled to shoot a Level Up sports beverage commercial today. He’s set to get dressed in game day attire, and Aria is coming with her glam squad so she can put on a concert look.
It’s the most involved of their publicity events so far, but it’s also the only one for which they are getting paid.
