Page 3 of Power Play

Another wave of desperation hit. I couldn’t do anything right then. I just had to finish my meal. Then I could freak out.

The energy in the restaurant shifted without warning. I raised my head and looked around. The area near the front doors had fallen silent. I watched with those around me as a group of men, followed by two women, emerged from outside and walked directly toward the bar. The ten or so of them were laughing and chatting, seemingly oblivious to the effect they had on the people in the restaurant.

A few of them wore hats pulled low over their faces, but they were all dressed casually. They were good-looking, but not enough to silence a crowd. I didn’t recognize anyone whose faces I could see as famous so I turned back around in my seat and took a sip of water.

“Not much of a fan?” The bartender was standing in front of me, although his eyes were trailing the men walking behind me.

“No, not really.” Once I was, but definitely not now.

“If you’re not in town for the game, what brings you here?” he asked.

It seemed strange for him to be making small talk with me since he hadn’t paused on any one person for longer than a few seconds since I sat down. Then I realized he was still watching the men who had settled at a large table behind me, and I must be sitting at his best view.

“I was supposed to start a job this morning, but I took a wrong turn in Ohio, at least I think it was Ohio. Anyway, I missed my first day and they fired me. So, I’m in a new city where I don’t know anyone and don’t have a job.”

His eyes flickered to mine. “You sure I can’t get you anything else to drink? On me?”

I smiled and shook my head. “No, thanks though.”

A laugh I recognized sounded behind me, and my stomach dropped. Nope. It couldn’t be him. I glanced over my shoulder as his unmistakable voice rose above the others. Heat—a raw rage—washed over me.

I turned back around. “Actually, could I get a glass of your cheapest red wine?”

The bartender found a bottle and poured a generous serving before setting it in front of me.

“Thank you.” I smiled and picked it up by the stem. My entire body shook as I stood.

I hadn’t been this angry in years. Not when I realized my mistake this morning. Not when I lost the job. Oh no. This was next-level fury. I almost laughed at the irony.

“Miss?” I heard the bartender call after me, but I ignored him and took slow, determined steps toward my target.

Four years. It had been four long years since I heard that voice. The one that used to make my heart sing. The one that promised me so much only to disappear from my life right when I needed him most.

There he was. None of them looked up as I approached. He looked the same. Unfortunately. He was just as handsome as the last time I saw him. Thick dark hair, a jawline that could make supermodels cry, and those shoulders. Only it was all wrong. His hair was longer under his hat. There was scruff on his face. His shoulders were wider than I remembered. He was a man now.

I stopped across from him and waited as he glanced up, did a double-take, and dropped his mouth.

That caught the attention of one of the guys. He called his name and nudged him. Soon, the entire table was watching him.

“Taylor?”

I flung my hand up, aiming the wine at his face. I hit my target and spun back around without a word.

2

Jason

The guys stared me down, a few laughing, and waited for an explanation. Lucy was sitting across the table and a few chairs down. She was the only one not looking in my direction. She’d turned in her seat and watched Taylor run for the women’s restroom.

“Come on.” She tugged on Colby’s sleeve and together they left, following Taylor.

It hurt seeing how different she was, yet exactly the same. I’d always loved her dark, almost black hair, but it was even longer now and a bit lighter than I remembered. Her brown skin was just as flawless as ever. I’d been self-conscious around her because I suffered from a fair amount of acne as a teen, but hers was perfect. Never a blemish or pimple in the two years I knew her. She wasn’t that girl anymore though. She’d become a stunning woman. One that I never imagined I’d get to see.

“Care to tell us what’s going on?” Reese asked with a smirk.

I shook my head and accepted another napkin from Noah to dab at my shirt. The effort was in vain. Red wine against a white T-shirt. Taylor won that round.

“Here. Can I get you some seltzer water or anything?” The bartender looked like he was holding back a laugh. I accepted the towel he held out for me and dabbed at my shirt.