Page 23 of Forbid It

I take a sip of my water. “Yeah, a bit.”

“First time I came out here, my friend sent me a care package of British snacks and it was the best.” Anya moans. “I can bring some back with me next time I’m back here.”

I smile at her offer. We met two seconds ago. “That’s kind, thank you.”

“When are you heading back to London?” Cassie asks her.

“Tomorrow morning.” Anya glances around the room. “I better get out of here soon once I find my ride. Speak of the devil.” Suddenly, a new face joins our trio. One I’ve seen on billboards and runways across the world.

“There you are,” Pip Covington says breathlessly. “Oh, hello.” She turns to me with an appraising smirk. I feel like she’s peering directly into my soul and laughing at whatever she finds. “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”

Everything about Pip tells me she knows exactly who I am.

I hold out my hand. “Robbie.”

“Pip.” She shakes my hand firmly. “Trust me, I would love to stay and chat, but I have to leave.” She turns to the girls. “Are you guys ready to go?”

“Yep.” Anya downs the rest of her drink, but I keep my eyes on Cassie as she glances around the room.

“I’m going home with my dad,” Cassie says, gesturing to him on the other side of the room. I glance over and see him surrounded by a group of middle-aged men, a full glass in his hand.

“Are you sure?” Pip asks.

“I’m sure.” Cassie wraps both girls in a goodbye hug. “Is everything okay, honey?” She murmurs quietly to Pip. It’s none of my business, so I keep my attention on my nearly empty glass.

“Always, darling.” Pip waves her hand dismissively. “Lovely to meet you, Robbie.” She presses a kiss to my cheek before turning back to Cassie. “Goodbye, goodbye. Fire your stylist tomorrow. She’s dreadful.”

I eye the curve of Cassie’s breast visible from the plunging neckline of her waistcoat and think her stylist probably has pretty good taste.

Pip and Anya cross the room to the exit, and I’m left in the awkward silence with Cassie. I should walk away too. I could slip out of here easily now Hamilton is distracted. I could go home, eat dinner, jump on my bike and climb into bed exhausted. But instead I keep my feet firmly planted.

“Your friends seem nice.”

Cassie turns to me with a smile. “Yeah, I found some good ones. Are you hanging out around here?”

I tilt my head side to side. “Hopefully not. It’s been a long day, you know.”

“Congrats, by the way. On the game.” It’s genuine, not laced with the sarky banter all of our other conversations have been full of.

“Thanks for watching.”

She blushes slightly. “Yeah well, I kind of had to, so...”

What would I do if Cassie was watching my games for me, not just because she was forced by her father to be there? Maybe she’d be in the crowd wearing my name on her back.

Laughter echoes from the side of the room where Hamilton is guffawing it up with a group of men.

Cassie glances over. “I think he’s going to be here a while.”

“Probably.” I put my glass back on the bar and grab my bag from the floor. “I guess I’ll see you at the next game.”

“I’ll be in the box next time, I think. Those seats are not comfortable.”

“Maybe you pull some strings with management for an upgrade.”

She grins. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I pull at the strap of my bag. My brain is ready to leave, but my feet don’t seem to want to cooperate.