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“About that,” Mack murmured. He gave Sariah one last searching glance but fell in to step with Bucky and headed into the house.
Sariah didn’t move, and neither did Teresa, until the men disappeared. Finally, Teresa let out a soft sigh. “Well, sweet Sariah. Do you want to share any secrets with me?”
Sariah swallowed hard. “Sadly, there’s nothing to share. How about you?”
Teresa smiled. “Oh, there’s a lot to share, but I suspect Bucky Buchanan is just a charmer and nothing will come of our stroll. Do you want to head in for awards?”
Sariah wanted to sit here and wait for Mack to reappear but she knew that probably wasn’t happening. “We’d better. I’m sure Hyde will get something.”
“Ah, my boy. I’m sure you’re right.” They walked slowly toward the brightly lit house. Sariah felt depressed and she knew she had no right to. Every interaction with Mack ended much sooner than she wanted it to. If she didn’t get another chance to talk to him tonight, she feared their chances had run out.
* * *
Mack liked Bucky. He was a great owner and a great guy, but him interrupting when Sariah had been leaning in … curse his boss from here to the South Pole. He cheered along with everyone through the awards ceremony. It was an amazing accomplishment as a team to win the Super Bowl and he was proud to be part of it, but he just wanted more time alone with Sariah.
After the ceremony he talked with different teammates, sponsors, coaches, and some celebrities. His recently-traded fellow lineman and college buddy, Miles Moore, brought a beautiful redhead over to their circle after they finished eating platefuls of the buffet-style dinner. Miles and the redhead could be siblings, except he was twice her size.
Mack smiled at the woman, but his gaze was searching for Sariah as it had been all night. He hadn’t seen her or Hyde for a while and was worried they’d left.
“Mack.” Miles grinned at him. “I come bearing gifts.”
The redhead laughed and rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not a gift, you silly boy.” She put her hand out. She looked beautiful in a fitted, off-the-shoulder black dress, but Mack only had eyes for one woman. “Scarlett Lily,” she introduced herself.
“Oh.” Mack nodded, shaking her hand. “I should’ve recognized you.” He’d only seen a few of her movies, but you’d have to be living in a tent in the South Pole to not know who Scarlett Lily was.
“It’s all right. I came tonight hoping to meet you.”
Mack’s eyebrows lifted. Why would Scarlett Lily want to meet him? She was older than him, extremely famous, and could have any man she wanted. He only wanted Sariah so he hoped this wasn’t about Scarlett looking for a date.
She swirled the liquid in her drink and stared at him for a few beats before saying, “I knew your brother in college.”
“Which one?” He had a lot of brothers people claimed to know, but he didn’t think Scarlett Lily needed the Quinn name to social climb. At least she wasn’t after Mack. A lot of women wanted to date a “hot giant”, their words not his. It made him uncomfortable. Scarlett seemed really nice, nothing like the cleat chasers.
“Griff,” she said.
“You went to USC?” Mack asked to be polite. He noticed his buddies gaping at him as if he were on the movie screen. Talking to Scarlett Lily didn’t intimidate or impress him. She was a beautiful woman and he liked her movies, but he really wanted to find Sariah before she disappeared.
“Yeah. Griff and I … dated.” Her smile was warm but there was something in her clear, green eyes that told him Griff had hurt her.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
She gave a throaty chuckle and Mack thought she was a brave lady who didn’t need his sympathy, but maybe she needed his brother. He’d have to ask Navy about it. Instead of taking his apology for what it was,I’m sorry my brother hurt you. Scarlett turned it to sarcasm and something to laugh about,I’m sorry you dated the jerk.
“Griff’s a good man.” She smiled and her eyes got a faraway look in them. “Always the strong, silent type, unless I tickled him.”
Mack’s eyebrows lifted. She’d tickled Griff, and lived to tell about it. Scarlett was indeed as brave as the characters she portrayed. “If you thought he was quiet in college you should see him since he retired from the SEALs.”
Her smile dropped away. “He made that a little difficult.”
“Griff makes most things difficult,” he muttered.
Now Scarlett’s eyebrows were the ones lifting.
“I love my brother,” Mack said. “He is a great man. It’s just …” He didn’t know how much he should share but something in her eyes made him feel he could trust her and possibly ease her suffering a little bit. “Griff endures alone and he thinks he does it to protect others—people like me and you.”
“You’re a wise man,” Scarlett said. She moved closer, went onto tiptoes, and kissed his jaw. He thought she’d probably meant to kiss his cheek but he was too tall for her to reach. Her kiss was soft and kind, something a sister or friend would do. Staying close she whispered in his ear, “Tell Griff I asked about him, will you?”
Mack nodded. She gave him one last smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and sauntered away to greet some other players, congratulating them on the Super Bowl win. Mack watched her go, wondering at the story between her and Griff and feeling badly for her. It had been common knowledge that she’d been dating the famous hockey player, Josh Porter, last fall. He’d dumped her at Christmas for Callum Hawk’s new sister-in-law, Hannah Hall. The press had made a huge deal about it, but somehow Mack didn’t think Scarlett had been as invested in Josh as everyone seemed to think. It was obvious to Mack that she cared for his brother. He’d pass her message on, though he doubted Griff would do anything about it. Mack worried Griff, Colt, and Navy would all grow old alone. Griff was too hard, Colt was too much of a player, and Navy was too invested in her career.
