She smiled, pulling her hair out of the lapel of her blazer. “Can I at least leave the tip?”
“I appreciate the offer, but it’s all good.” I stuffed my hands into my front pockets, trying to act casual.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, acting as if this was simply a gesture to show the media that I was a good guy.
That’s all this was, so why did it feel so personal?
She slipped into her car, and I watched her drive away. I slid into my Audi and leaned my head back. For a guy who didn’t trust reporters, I was already looking forward to seeing her again. And I was also thinking too hard about why she seemed so scared to spend time with me.
If she wasn’t afraid of what her boyfriend would think, then what was she afraid of?
CHAPTER 10
BECCA
A boyfriend?Really, Becca. I thought as my heels clicked along the marble floor, heading straight for the bar. I managed to snag an open stool and set my clutch on the polished wood to claim my spot.
I can’t believe I told him I was seeing someone. What the hell was wrong with me? Clearly, that lazy smile of his caused my brain to stop functioning properly.
I pulled my hair away from my neck to cool down and scratched my arms because the sequins on my green dress were causing them to itch.
I didn’t mean to lie. It wasn’t some grand, calculated plan. It just slipped out. He could tell I was nervous, so I made up some imaginary love life. It was the easiest way to throw him off rather than admitting how much I didn’t trust myself around him.
I had a job to do.
I had to be a professional adult.
I didn’t crush on athletes.
I didn’t mix work with pleasure.
And I would not get distracted by his pretty face.
He wasn’t even my type.
I leaned against the bar and ordered a cosmo. I hated showing up at these events alone. You would think I would be used to it by now, considering I’ve been single for two years. I shouldn’t feel so weird standing at a bar by myself. I should be networking. Instead, I found myself taking in the room. I’ve always been better at observing than participating anyway. Occupational hazard, I guess.
My dad would have loved this. Not the formal part, but the food, the open bar, and being surrounded by football players. He would be in the middle of the room, making friends, bidding quietly on expensive items, and somehow becoming everyone’s favorite person by the end of the night.
A smile pulled at my mouth before it quickly faded. He’s been gone long enough now that memories sometimes snuck up on me out of the blue.
The bartender slid my drink across the counter, and I took a sip, trying to get myself to relax. But the two women next to me were giggling so loud it was almost impossible to tune them out.
“God, look at him.” The blonde to my right nudged her friend in the arm.
“I know, right. If I could get five minutes alone with him, I’d let him wreck me.” The brunette next to her sighed. I followed her gaze, even though I knew in my gut that they were talking about him.
“I bet it would be worth it too,” the blonde with long legs replied.
I stared at the bottles lining the bar, suddenly very interested in the labels. It was a deliberate attempt to redirect my attention, but it wasn’t working. My skin prickled with something I refused to acknowledge.
“Is it true that he likes threesomes?” her friend asked, trying to keep her voice low, but she was still loud enough for me to hear every word.
The blonde laughed. “I have no idea, but I’m game if you are.”
I stood still, trying not to look like I was eavesdropping on their conversation. Unfortunately, I couldn’t unhear them even if I tried.
