Page 47 of The Decoy

“That’s amazing, Brody,” Ellis says, her eyes lighting up with excitement for me. “Are you going to take it?”

“Yeah, definitely the shoe deal,” I say, shrugging. “The SUV one, I’m not sure yet. They want to shoot the commercial in Vancouver in February. I told Scott I’m not leaving the state for more than forty-eight hours at a time while you’re pregnant.”

Ellis pauses, her glass hovering halfway to her mouth. “Brody …Vancouver is what? A few days? You shouldn’t turn down a major national campaign on my account. I’ll be like twenty weeks along, and I’m perfectly healthy.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I say plainly, looking her in the eye. “My place is here. If I’m in Canada and you need me, or if I miss a kick or something important, a six-hour flight is six hours too far. Scott can find a brand that shoots in Brooklyn or Jersey.”

Ellis stares at me, her eyes softening so deeply that for a second, I think she might tear up right here. She reaches across the small table, sliding her fingers over my knuckles.

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I don’t say shit I don’t mean. I think you know that by now.”

Before she can answer, a shadow falls over the edge of our table.

“Excuse me … Mr. Vaughn?”

I look up. Standing beside our table is a guy in his late twenties wearing a button-up shirt and slacks, like he probably got off work and came straight here, smartphone in his hand, looking hesitant but also excited. Behind him, two other guys are watching closely.

“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone polite but measured, instinctively shifting my shoulders to shield Ellis from his view.

“Man, I’m so sorry to interrupt your dinner,” the guy says quickly, his eyes wide. “I’m a huge fan. I’ve had season tickets for the last six years. That game against Dallas this year was a killer. We were so close. Aston Griffith up against his brother Archie was iconic, though.”

“Appreciate that, man. Thanks for your support,” I say, offering him my hand.

“I know the postseason ended rough, but we’re all behind you guys next year,” the guy says, his eyes darting to Ellis as he notices her hand in mine. A flash of realization crosses his face. “Oh wow. Sorry, I didn’t mean to crash your date night.”

We haven’t made any formal announcements at this point, but we’re not exactly hiding it either. But Ellis doesn’t pull her hand away, so I don’t let go either.

In fact, her fingers tighten on mine.

So I pull her hand slightly further into the center of the table, holding it openly in front of everyone who might be watching.

“It’s all good,” I say evenly, a confident smile touching my lips. “Have a good night.”

“You too, Mr. Vaughn. Enjoy your off-season!” The fan nods respectfully and backs away toward the bar, already whispering to his buddies.

Ellis sits perfectly still for a second, her gaze dropping down to our hands. She looks back up at me, and her cheeks flush a pale pink.

“Getting brave, are we?” she whispers.

“Well, I sure as shit wasn’t about to let go as long as you were letting me hold your hand in front of him,” I say, raising her hand to my mouth and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’m not hiding you, Ellis. As far as I’m concerned, you’re mine, and I don’t care who sees us together, as long as you’re okay with it.”

Ellis smiles, and it spreads slowly across her face. “I don’t want to hide it either.”

“Do you want to pack the rest of this food up and head back to your place?” I pull back slightly. “I really want to get you home now.”

“Yep, I’ve had all I can eat right now. Let’s get out of here.”

Once we make it back to her place, I take the dogs out to potty while she takes a quick shower. When I come back in, I get us both a bottle of water and head toward her bedroom.

By the time I get there, both dogs have settled on their beds in the corner of the room, snuggled together.

Ellis has showered and is wearing one of my Titans’ T-shirts that she must have stolen from my house at some point. It hangs all the way down to her mid-thigh, even with her little bump.

She’s standing near the foot of the bed, pulling out her messy bun, letting her long waves spill down her back.

I take my shirt off as I walk toward her and come up behind her, now bare-chested. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me, breathing her in, before I slide my hands beneath the hem of my shirt, my palms resting over her lower belly.