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She laughs in return. “I’ll text you our new address.”
My brows draw inward. “You moved?”
“Um… yeah,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “That house was too big for us, you know.”
I do know. They lived in a monstrous custom-built home in a gated community but I wonder if maybe it held too many memories. Regardless, I can see the subject makes her a little tense so I don’t delve.
“I get it,” I assure her.
“Listen,” she says hesitantly and steps in a bit closer. “There’s something I did want to ask your help with.”
I dip my head closer to compensate for the softness in her tone. “What’s that?”
“I’m not good at soliciting but as the director of the new foundation, part of my job is keeping it funded.”
“You want money? I’m happy to donate.”
She grins at me, dimples popping and fuck… I shouldn’t think that makes her prettier. “Yes, I’ll take your money but that wasn’t what I was going to ask for. I’m trying to secure a big corporate sponsor and the CEO is throwing his sixteen-year-old son a birthday party. He’s hinted—quite strongly—that he’d join as a sponsor if I can show him some Titans love.”
“Aagh,” I drawl with a knowing lift of my chin. “Sure… what can I do?”
“Come to the party with me. Maybe a signed jersey for the kid. Take some pictures with the others, sign a few autographs. It’s Saturday and I know it’s between home games so it’s your time off… it’s a big ask and—”
“I’m there,” I say, somewhat surprising myself. I cherish my downtime and hanging out at a teen’s birthday party isn’t my idea of relaxing. “Find out how many kids are there and I’ll snag jerseys for all of them.”
“Oh no,” she says, shaking her head and holding out her palms. “I can’t ask you to pay for that.”
Chuckling, I put my hand on her shoulder and squeeze. “I’m not paying for it. Brienne will be, but this is her foundation so I know she’ll be glad to. You’ve got to think bigger picture, Dani.”
Her nickname just slips out, a testament that I knew this woman far better than I even remembered. Years of playing on the same line with Mitch, dozens of team events, parties, birthday celebrations. Many of her friends call her that.
Mitch did.
“I know,” she says with mock self-loathing. “I told you I hate asking for stuff. I don’t like being a bother to people.”
“Trust me.” My hand falls away but I give her an encouraging smile. “Asking rich people for donations or sponsorships or time in helping isn’t a bother to them. It’s the price of being wealthy. You need to lose that fear.”
Her smile is wry. “I’ll remember your advice.”
Coach West approaches and when Danica sees him, her smile brightens to full wattage. “Cannon.” She jabs him playfully with her elbow. “And I didn’t ask you earlier, but I heard you’ve got a new sweetheart. I need to meet her.”
“You will,” he says, the husky affection in his voice sounding very right for him. He’s had a tough road with losing his wife to cancer but he seems to have found something amazing with Ava.
Coach’s gaze comes to me. “Glad you could make it.”
As if I had a choice.
I smile, giving a half shrug. “Thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.” My gaze drops to Danica. “It’s been nice to connect with old friends.”
“Very nice,” she agrees. “Now, I’m going to catch up with some others. I’ll see you Thursday. I can’t wait to tell Travis.”
“See you then.”
After Danica moves off, Coach West turns to me. “See… I told you this would be a nice time.”
“No,” I reply with an emphatic shake of my head. “You most certainly didn’t say that.”
He snorts and glances back toward Danica. “Nice to rekindle friendships, huh?”
