“But this could go horrible if people found out we’re faking it. I could lose my job over it.”
“You think I’d let you get fired for pretending to be my girlfriend?” I questioned, even though I understood her concern. The strict no-mingling policy for the team was brought in over a decade ago after some harassment suit that none of us knew anything about.
“We both know how the system works and the Twisters will choose their star player over the team’s physiotherapist,” she argued.
“You make a valid point. But if this works the way we need it to, then that won’t happen. The guys will protect us. Even when they’re dicks, they won’t let anything happen to our careers.”
She blew out a long breath, her bangs flying out of her face. “Okay. Where do we start?”
“We start where it’s easy, like right now. Hang out, then start talking more at work. Maybe we have a few run-ins and people will pick up on something. If we keep it relatively hush-hush, then we might be okay.”
She nodded like she was mulling it over. “What do you gain if we’re not public?”
“That’s the beauty of it. I’m not allowed to be.” Her nose scrunched up, which was too freaking cute. “It’s Carlos’s rules.”
“Seems odd.”
“Have you met Carlos?”
She let out the cutest snort-chuckle and quickly covered her nose. Fuck. That was another thing she did that I thought had always been adorable, but I felt sad for her when Irealized I couldn’t remember the last time she laughed so innocently.
“The deal with Carlos works in this case. I was supposed to meet someone online, so they couldn’t know who I was, build a real connection. Only after having one, could I come out with who I was.”
“Hhmm.” She lolled her head back and forth. “That is clever. So, even if you say you’ve met someone, you don’t need real proof?”
“There’s proof. Phone calls, texts, emails, stuff like that.”
Her eyes lit up. “Do I get a code name?”
I laughed. “You want a code name?”
“Sure.”
“Alright then. Muffin?” Her nose scrunched in disgust. “Hotcakes?”
“What’s with the food names?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. Isn’t that what people do?”
“No. Haven’t you ever been in a relationship?”
I scratched my jaw, contemplating how honest to be.
“How is this going to work if you don’t even know what you’re doing?!”
I chuckled. “It’s not rocket science. I got this.”
“Josh,” she groaned, “I need you to be serious. This means a lot to me.”
I paused, watching her for a moment. Her hair was loose and flowy, her skin a creamy, peach color and there was the tiniest hint of freckles that I’d never noticed because of her makeup. She was irresistible and reminded me of last year at that Ribfest, how she’d caught me off guard. It made me realize, for the second time, she wasn’t just my co-worker. She was a hot woman standing there in only her shirt, her painted-black toenails that signaled the bit of rebellion in her. It did me in.
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to compose myself. “I knowexactlywhat it means to you.”
April glanced sideways, biting her lip again as she probably doubted me. I hadn’t given her much reason to believe me, I guess. Taking a deep breath, I slipped from the stool and walked around the counter to her. April stood to meet me, her olive stare eyeing me with caution. I needed to prove I was serious.
So, while she nervously twisted her fingers, I leaned closer and cupped my hands around her cheeks. Lowering my mouth to hers, her sweet scent flooding my nerves, I kissed April. And we didn’t stop. The kiss was soft and gentle at first, but we went deeper when her mouth parted. My dick thickened against my gym shorts and I reluctantly ended our kiss.
Her cheeks were stained hot pink. She was barely able to speak. “What was that?” she asked breathily.
