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When Dash gives me a blank look, I explain. “I stopped for my tea this morning and she was there. She barely gave me the time of day. And snapped back before I could get out one of my best pickup lines.” I laugh to myself at her quick wit. “Dash, she shot me right down. It was classic.”
“And you’re happy about this?”
“I mean, yeah. She just became a challenge I have to conquer and now that I know she works right here? It’s on.”
He gives me a look of warning. “Be easy on her, Mark. She just got the head coaching job here on campus. I haven’t even officially met her. Summer is helping her get accustomed to the town and team.”
“I’ll be nothing but welcoming to the new girl.”
He gives me a side eye and pulls me in the opposite direction to find a spot in the stands. My eyes linger on the petite woman with the ocean blue eyes and a bow in her hair. She’s already left quite a mark on me.
You can run, but you can’t hide, my little cheerleader.
MACKENZIE
“MMM” my mouth waters as I take a bite. I can’t get enough of this pineapple pizza. I didn’t trust Summer when she said it was the best combination, but I fell right into her trap. And it’s become my new fave.
With my laptop open and air pods in, I’m rewatching last year’s competition team. Counting out the beats and finding new music to accompany it is my favorite part of coaching. I love seeing a vision in my head come into play on the mats.
Lost in a rendition of Snoop Dogg’s ‘Cheerleaders Anthem’, I jump when I realize someone has joined me at my booth. I take out my air pods and look up into the handsome face of someone who, well, knows he’s handsome.
Mark McCall.
“So let me ask you a question. Hypothetically speaking, of course, what would you rather? A. Take a sunset walk along the coast of Candy Cane Key with me. B. Share that pineapple pizza with me. Or C. Allow me to give you multiple orgasms?”
I’m trying not to smirk at Mark’s come on. He thinks he’s so smooth. Little does he know, I have two older brothers who were complete playboys and therefore; I know every line in the book by default and have enough sense to twist his comebacks.
And Mark? He’s the worst kind. Cocky and full of himself. The more you tell his type no, the harder they try.
But I can’t help but give this guy a run for his money.
Mark is extremely good looking. Solid jaw, dark hair and eyes. He’s tall, probably pushing six foot four, which to my five foot three is a little intimidating. I know his reputation. Anyone working at the University does, and even in my short time of being here, I’ve heard the stories. He’s harmless mostly. I’ve heard he dates a lot, but I’ve never heard a bad word uttered about him.
Except from my father.
Mark hit on my mother at Candy Cane Key’s famous Christmas In July festival the town hosts every year. I wasn’t living here but I heard all about it. I’m not sure why my dad was so riled up. Maybe he just didn’t like being undermined by someone on the payroll under him. Dad is very much into respect, and I’m sure he didn’t like that the new hot IT guy he hired was hitting on his wife.
Mom laughed it off, said it made her feel young again. But Dad gave Mark a terrible time, almost to the point of firing him. I think he went overboard a bit, but that’s dad. He gets a thought in his head and there’s no changing it. Needless to say, my father warned me to stay far, far away from Mark when I began working on campus.
“So, what’s it going to be, beautiful?”
I smile and lean in closer. “I want to say A and while we walk, push you into the ocean. I refuse to share, so B is out. C sounds like an option I can give myself.” I pause as his lips twitch. “I know you’re hoping I ask if there is an option D, right?” I raise a brow. “So, then you can so eloquently ask if I’d likeyourD, isn’t that right, Mr. McCall?”
I turn my lips in, refusing to give into his charm as he huffs out a laugh and his eyes widen in admiration.
“I think I just fell in love.”
I sit back. “You didn’t. And now you’re disrupting my time.” I nod to the door. “See ya later, Mark.”
I reach for my air pods and his hand darts out, grabbing my wrist. He moves so fast it makes my breath catch. “How do you know my name?” He raises a brow and leans in. “Myfullname. Onenamelessrun in at the tea shop and you’ve been checking up on me already?”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Don’t flatter yourself. I know you saw me on campus the other day, so you know I work at the University. I also knowyou knowyour name is pretty popular around campus. And you’ve just proved it with your lines.”
He shakes his head. “Oh, baby girl. Come out with me on Saturday. I’ll show you I’m a stand-up guy.”
He still has a hold of my wrist and is rubbing my pulse point with his thumb. Oh, this guy is good. He’s got the face, the soothing hand action and all the right lines. Exactly who I’ve been warned about.
But he’s hot, and it’s been a minute since someone has intrigued me. So, I’ll play along. I want to see how far this guy will go.
