"What? Are you okay? Are you dizzy?"
A chuckle escapes her. "No but your overthinking is suffocating me."
"I can't be overthinking because there's nothing to think about. He's my boss. And he and Ruthie have a lot going on right now."
"Ooh, like what?" she cuts in, her intrigue suspicious.
"Like his retirement? Put the shovel away, Jo. There's nothing to dig for."
"Hmm… well, there would be if he started screwing his nanny."
"Nice try." I roll my eyes. "Not gonna happen."Whether I've thought about it or not.
Jo crunches down on something hard in response that eases a worry I didn't realize I was carrying. I say a quick prayer that it's a carrot or a roasted chickpea—anything of substance—then move toward the black-framed mirror hanging in front of me.
"We kissed," I tell both Jo and my reflection.
She pretends to choke, hacking into the phone. "And you didn't lead with that?"
I blush, leaning my elbow on the dresser in front of me. "It shouldn't have happened."
"But it totally did."
I sigh—loudly. "He's really sweet."
"Mhmm."
"And he's so good to Ruthie."
Jo clicks her tongue. "Plus that ass, am I right?"
I open my mouth, then pause, glancing down at the phone like she can see me staring. "Joanna Hastings—have you been… watching baseball?"
The chewing I've endured for the last two minutes straight suddenly halts. A beat of silence follows. "It's called research, Tessa," she says with a hostility that makes me laugh.
"Mhmm… you like it, don't you?"
"Ha!" she yells. I wince, pulling the phone away from my ear before returning it to my shoulder. "Likeis a very strong word."
"Whatever you say."
"You know what? I should go."
"Convenient."
"Love you," she replies.
I shake my head and giggle. "Love you too, Jo."
I end the call, finding myself again in the mirror. Somewhere in the reflection, I realize this will be the first time I see Liam on the field since we kissed. The first time I have to watch him sweat and perform in that damn uniform since I've learned what it feels like to have his lips on mine.
I'm actually grateful because Jo's not wrong—Liam's hot. And in the stadium, I don't have to avoid watching him because he's the whole show. Half of the women in that place—and the men for that matter—will be doing the same.
And thank God.
Because I'm not sure I'd be able to hide my stare very well otherwise.
26
