I head down the street, and as if on autopilot, I find myself driving toward Golden Grinds, my favorite coffee shop—to where I’m likely to run into Matt. My heart lurches in my chest as my brain reminds me what tonight is about. Lessons—so I’m not a fumbling idiot if and when I find myself between the sheets with Matt.
I park in my usual spot, and grab my purse. There’s a measure of apprehension as the bell above the door jingles when I step inside. I hurry to the counter and put in my coffee order. I turn, already feeling Matt’s eyes on me. Did he see the pictures? Am I now more appealing to him?
I move to the pick-up counter and as I wait for my coffee, Matt stands. As he comes my way, my gaze takes in his tall body and broad shoulders. He’s good looking and rock solid, yet I suddenly can’t help but think…he’s no Jaxon.
“Rowyn,” he begins quickly. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“You are?”
“I wanted to explain about the other night. I didn’t mean to stand you up. There was a family emergency. I would have called but we didn’t exchange numbers.”
“Right, we didn’t,” I say. “I’m sorry to hear about your family emergency.”
“Thanks. Everything is okay now.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Why does this suddenly feel so awkward?
Oh, maybe because you’ve got Jaxon on the brain.
He grins, and leans against the counter. “I uh, didn’t know you were a Bucks fan.”
I throw my hands up, trying to look casual, but I don’t think I’m pulling it off. “Can’t live in Boston and not be a Bucks fan.”
“You and Jaxon?” he asks tentatively and there it is. He saw us together… Was there really a family emergency or am I suddenly more appealing because a hot NHL player is interested in me? Why does that thought sit so heavy in my stomach?
Uh, isn’t that what this whole charade with Jaxon is about?
“Yeah, we go way back.” I laugh. “Actually, when you didn’t show up at Kilting Around, he joined me for dinner. Then…well…” I shut up, because what am I supposed to say…oh, we concocted a ridiculous plan.
He shifts a bit closer. “My loss.” He cocks his head. “Because I’m guessing you two are kind of a thing now?”
“We are.”
“That was fast.”
“Like I said, we go way back. We didn’t know we had feelings until the other night.”
He nods and doesn’t move back. “If it doesn’t work out…”
If it doesn’t work out…
Of course it’s not going to work out, it’s not supposed to. The whole farce is to get this man to notice me, which he has and I should damn well be thrilled about that.
So why aren’t I?
11
Jaxon
After a long day of drills, scrimmages, and one too many ‘constructive chats’ with the coaches, all I want is a twelve-hour coma. My legs ache, my shoulders feel like I’ve been body-checked by a semi, and I could probably fall asleep standing up. But my mind? Yeah, my mind didn’t get the memo.
It’s wired. Buzzing. Because apparently, instead of counting sheep, I’m thinking about giving sex lessons.
To Rowyn Perry.
The straight-laced, rule-following girl I once carried off the playground when we were kids. She’d fallen, broken her arm, and was bawling her eyes out until I scooped her up and took her to the nurse’s office. My “heroic rescue”. In return, she brought me a chocolate chip muffin the next day. Every day for a week, actually. Said it was her thank-you.