Page 13 of Face Off

“I’m glad you have friends here.”

Marcy waved as we left, and Sadie and I called bye back to her.

“I’m proud of you. Marcy told me you did so good all day.”

She smiled up at me, showing off the dimples she inherited from her father. “I was so good!”

I laughed and kissed her again before opening the car door and helping her into her booster seat. As we drove back home, I checked the mirror several times and was relieved her little smile stayed on her face. I doubted she knew how to fake enthusiasm or happiness, but it gave me so much peace. I expected to pick her up with tears on her face, begging me to never leave her there again. This was more than I could have hoped for.

“What’s for dinner, Mommy?” her sweet voice asked once her favorite song finished. I didn’t even mind listening to the turtle song for the third time, my mood was so light.

“I was thinking spaghetti and breadsticks.”

She cheered. “Yay! I love s’getti.”

That was a relief since it was one of the only things we had at home. Money was tight while I waited for my first paycheck, so I had to make each penny stretch. I made sure Sadie had options that she would want to eat for breakfast and dinner and snacks, even if that meant I was stuck eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the next two weeks. As long as no surprises popped up, we would have just enough to make it to payday.

6

Mikey

As much as I wanted to avoid Coach and the team for a few more days, I couldn’t miss practice. That would be the worst possible decision I could make, so I finally got out of my car and pulled my bag from the backseat. A woman with dark blond hair was waiting at the elevator. I didn’t recognize her and paused as she stepped inside. Only employees could park down here, so it wasn’t like she was a fan waiting to jump on the nearest player. I wasn’t sure why I was hesitating until her sparkling brown eyes locked on mine.

It was the woman from Monday. She was just as stunning in the fluorescent lights as she’d been the first time I saw her, with the same expression of distaste. She’d said something to me. What was it? You’ve done enough. What was that about? I didn’t even know her, and judging by her look, she wanted to keep it that way.

“Are you coming?” she asked, one hand on her hip that drew my eye to her gentle curves. I realized I’d been staring at her, ten feet away from the entrance. Her other hand was out, blocking the doors from closing.

“Yeah, thanks.” I jogged inside, and she stepped to the side.

“See, that’s how you do it.” She pointed to where her hand had been.

I looked to the doors then back at her. “What?”

“When someone is coming toward the elevators, it’s common courtesy to hold them open for that person. Like I did.”

I nodded. “Right.” What was wrong with her? I started to face forward when she spoke again.

“So you already knew that?” she asked, a smile teasing the corner of her lips.

“Yes.” Seriously, who was this woman?

“Yet, you didn’t.” Her eyes narrowed a bit, but my eyes were drawn to the movement of her mouth.

I shook away the thought and refocused. “When?”

“Yesterday morning.” She watched me, waiting for some reaction.

I shook my head. “What?” It was like we were having two different conversations. I was so lost.

She let out a humorless laugh. “Of course. You don’t even remember.”

Was I on camera? Being pranked? “I have no idea what you’re talking about. The only time I remember seeing you is when I––” Finishing that sentence wouldn’t help my case.

“Slammed a door into me.” She grinned—not in the friendliest manner.

“Right.” I coughed.

“Well, before that fun encounter, you were on the elevator. I called out, asking you to hold it, and you ignored me.”