“Lucy and Owen?” I suggested. Lucy was one of the most competitive people I knew.
But when I followed his gaze, Lucy was already tucked against Owen’s side, clearly pairing off with Ian and Maddie. Which made sense. Lucy might be my best friend, but Ian was Owen’s.
Miles noticed it, too, and kept looking.
I glanced across the yard at Alessi and Bash. “What about them?”
“Nah.” He shook his head immediately. “I’d rather beat them tonight.”
“Really?” I furrowed my brow, slightly confused since Bash and Miles were best friends, and Alessi had always been close with both of them.
But instead of explaining, he just shrugged and tipped his chin toward the playset and said, “What about Theo and his friend?”
I followed his line of sight. Theo was standing near the swings with a woman I didn’t recognize, kids darting around their legs.
“They seem to be getting along,” Miles continued. “And if any of these games involve logic or arguing a point, our fancy lawyer friend might come in handy.”
I chuckled. “Sounds good to me.”
Truthfully, I didn’t care half as much as he did.
Which was probably a good thing. Between the professional athletes, successful businessmen, and college professors in the yard, I had a feeling this competition wouldn’t be typical.
Nothing like standing in a backyard full of accomplished people to make my currently unemployed status feel a little more pathetic than I’d like.
Before I could go too far in that line of thinking, though, Miles raised his arm and waved. “Hey, Theo. Want to be on our team?”
Theo looked up, blinking like he’d just tuned back into the present. “Sorry, what?” he called back, looking confused.
“We’re doing teams,” Miles called. “Games or something. You and your friend should join us.”
Theo glanced at the woman beside him, said something quietly, then nodded. A moment later, the two of them headed our way.
“So,” Theo said as they reached us, amusement tugging at his mouth. “What exactly did you just rope us into?”
“We’re actually not sure yet,” I admitted. “Lia just said she had something planned and that we needed teams of four.”
“That checks out.” Theo nodded. Then he glanced at the woman beside him and seemed to realize we hadn’t all been introduced. “Oh, sorry. This is my new friend, Amanda. We literally just met.” He gestured between us. “And Amanda, this is my friend Miles and my sister’s best friend, Nora.”
“Nice to meet you,” Miles said easily.
“You too.” Amanda smiled. “I should probably pretend I don’t know who you are, but as a pretty big New Haven Sentinels fan, that would be a lie.”
Miles laughed. “Well, thanks for supporting the team.”
“Of course,” she said. “It’s been fun having a professional football team so close. I’m also proud to say I got the season tickets in my divorce.”
“I see you have your priorities straight,” Miles said with a wink.
“I do,” Amanda agreed without missing a beat. “Though don’t worry, I fought for custody of the kids, too. It’s notallabout football.”
“A devoted fananda good mom,” Miles said, amused.
I noticed the quick glance he gave her, the way his attention lingered on her curves. And before I could stop it, something tight flickered in my chest.
Which was ridiculous since we weren’t anything.
Still, after our little fake-dating talk earlier, I’d kind of hoped his focus would stay on me tonight. Even if it wasn’t real.