“Best boyfriend ever.” I bat my eyelashes exaggeratedly at him, reveling in his laughter.
The breakfast place is packed when we walk in. Bash gives the host his name, then we settle on a bench to wait for a table to open up. Conversation is loud around us, people crowded like sardines in the little waiting area, but I don’t care. I barely notice because Sebastian’s full attention is on me, and it’s intoxicating.
“Do you guys have regular places you go when you’re in Dallas?” I ask, leaning my head on Bash’s shoulder. He tucked my arm through his and holds my hand. Like he can’t stand to have even an inch of space between us.
I feel the same.
“There are a few places we used to frequent pretty regularly, but now that everyone has wives and girlfriends, we’ve changed things up.” He kisses the crown of my head. “Clubs aren’t appealing anymore, so we’ve made it our mission to find the best hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants.”
“Makes sense.” Some insecure part of me breathes easier knowing they won’t be going out to a club full of beautiful women in skimpy dresses. It’s stupid, because now I know Bash spent the last ten years looking for me, so it’s not like I’d worry about him doing anything inappropriate, but when you’re carrying around years of insecurities, logic doesn’t always override those worries.
“I think we’ll probably go straight to the hotel tonight, though. It’s a quick trip, and we’re all tired.”
“Too tired to call me after?” I ask.
“I’ll never be too tired for you, Miss Bloom.”
“Thank goodness for that, Mr. Navarro.” I grin up at my handsome boyfriend, completely smitten, and marvel at the fact that he’s looking down at me with a softness that tells me he feels the same.
We lapse into silence, my head on his shoulder, our fingers interlaced, and I let my eyes fall closed long enough to take in a long, slow breath. When I open them again, I find a group of young men watching us. They’re mostly staring at Bash, but one of them keeps glancing over at me too. Like he knows he’s seen me before but can’t place where.
I’m not sure that will ever be less unsettling.
“You good?” Bash whispers, catching the direction of my attention.
“Yeah.” I don’t love being recognized, but it’s inevitable, given who my parents are. The only way I could ensure no one notices me or recognizes me would be if I never left the house,and I refuse to live like that. I may adjust the way I live, but I won’t stop living.
“Okay. If you get uncomfortable, we can leave. I know you don’t like the attention.”
“It’s you they’re interested in,” I tease, glancing up at him. “Mr. Hockey.”
Bash chuckles, running his free hand through his black hair. “Yeah. There’s certainly more interest with how we’re playing right now.”
“As there should be.” I’m proud of Sebastian. I always knew he’d be successful, and I’m thrilled to support him in person now, rather than from afar. I know that will mean attention, both good and bad, and I’ll deal with it as it comes.
I’m lost in thought and focused on the warmth of Bash’s hand around mine when he clears his throat and says, “Hey, guys. I’m happy to take some selfies with you or whatever, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t take photos of me and my girlfriend without her consent.”
The silence that falls over the waiting area is thick as the young men shift in their seats. Bash’s tone wasn’t overly harsh, but his body language says he’s serious.
One of the young men shoots me a thin-lipped smile that almost looks more like a wince. “Sorry. It’s just, you’re Sebastian Navarro, right? We were at the game last night. You were a beast.”
Bash squeezes my hand and smiles at them. “I am. And thanks, man. I’m happy to ask my girl to take a photo of me with you guys if you’ll delete the ones you took of us.”
My heart squeezes. Has anyone ever protected me like this? I can’t remember a single time Ryland asked someone to delete a photo of me or spoke up to tell a photographer to stop invading my privacy. My insides are all squishy.
“Yeah, of course. Sorry again.” The young man taps away on his phone before turning it around to show that he deleted the photo. “Would you mind, miss?”
I smile at him. “Of course.”
Taking the guy’s phone, I wait for them to gather around Bash before snapping a few photos. We’re attracting attention, and I’m not surprised when a few more people ask for photos. Sebastian takes it all in stride, his eyes sliding to me often to check in, making sure I’m okay. And even though people are staring, I realize I am okay. Because I’m with him, and he’s just proven he’ll do whatever it takes to make me feel safe.
“Spill it,”Lola demands the moment I walk through the door, my WAG jacket and sweater from yesterday clutched against my chest.
My lips are swollen from how hard Sebastian kissed me when he said goodbye at my door, and I’m sure my hair is a mess from the way he tangled his fingers in it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Girl.” Lola crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me. She’s trying to look intimidating, but she’s short as hell, so she just looks adorably disgruntled. “Don’t give me that shit. You basically floated in here all glowy and smiling, wearing an oversized hoodie that definitely isn’t yours. You had sex, didn’t you?”
My smile grows, but I shrug.
