Page 3 of The Player I Can’t Pick

Unfortunately, none of those reasons feel important while I’m looking at her.

I gesture for the waitress, needing to settle my bill before Nicole decides to leave. The waitress sees me and starts heading my way, so I pull my wallet from my back pocket to be ready. I keep one eye on Nicole the entire time. She stares down at her phone, glances at me, and then lifts her hand and motions for the waitress. I nod toward Nicole’s table when she reaches me. “You taking care of her?”

The waitress follows my gaze and nods. “Yeah. Poor girl got stood up, I think.”

The sympathy in her voice makes my chest tighten.

I pull a hundred dollar bill from my wallet and hand it to her. “Here. Take care of her bill too.”

Her eyes widen. “Both of your checks won’t be this much.”

“Keep the change.”

She starts to protest, but I shake my head. I don’t care about the money. I care about reaching Nicole before she slips out the door.

“Thank you,” the waitress says with a wide smile.

I nod and slide my wallet back into my pocket. Nicole reaches for her purse and begins gathering her things.

It’s now or never.

My pulse is racing as I start walking toward her. I grow more nervous with every step. I tell myself I’m just going to tell her the truth and make sure she gets home safe. That’s it.

CHAPTER 2

NICOLE

I drain the rest of my drink and try to keep my gaze off Guy Brody.

He’s only a few tables away, and I can’t believe no one else has noticed him sitting there. He isn’t fooling me, even if he swapped his Jasper Bears hat for a camouflage one with a patch that says Brody Ranch.

I would know the man anywhere. He’s a legend when it comes to baseball, and I know baseball.

I don’t notice the two men standing behind him until I see Guy talking to them. That’s when I realize my date for tonight is here with a friend, and they’re both pointing and smirking at me.

I barely resist rolling my eyes. Who brings a friend on a date anyway?

I think I’m going to give up on the Pick Me app. Or maybe it’s just me. No matter how carefully I choose the men I match with, I can’t seem to find one who appreciates my curves in person.

I watch as my date and his friend walk away from Guy and disappear into the crowd.

Well, there goes that.

I have half a mind to get up and introduce myself to Guy, but I quickly change my mind. He comes across as a nice guy in interviews and videos, but I’m not sure my ego can handle another hit tonight.

I gather my purse and try to wave down the waitress when Guy starts walking toward me.

Run. That’s my first thought, but I’m frozen. All I can do is stand here and gawk as he walks straight toward me. He’s even bigger up close. His shirt is stretched across his broad shoulders, and women’s heads turn, looking at him as he walks by.

He stops in front of me and tilts his head. “Hey, Nicole.”

My eyes widen. He knows my name. “Uh…”

He holds his hand out. “I’m Guy Brody. It’s nice to meet you.”

I blink at him. “I know who you are.”

His mouth lifts at one corner. “You know who I am?”