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“Finish that sentence and I’ll make sure you eat your next meal through a straw,” he jokes, and we both laugh as we walk towards the field together.
My pulse picks up as I scan the crowd. Sierra is here somewhere.
A whole week has gone by since I’ve seen her. I’m pretty sure the distance has been intentional on her part.
But that ends tonight. I know Sierra is participating in the fundraiser—I may have glanced at the team list on Beckett’s desk this morning, searching for her name. Thankfully I’m looking good, with a fresh haircut and the scruff on my face trimmed nice and neat. I’m wearing a pair of black athletic shorts, a simple, dark-blue T that shows off my biceps and my lucky socks. I do realize it’s all for nothing—can’t touch Jake’s sister with a 10-foot pole and all that bullshit—but I’m still excited to see her.
The late afternoon sun is shining, and the smell of hotdogs and popcorn welcomes us as we approach the tents set up next to the auction tables.
Beckett elbows me as the two of us approach a table. “You put your money on the fishing trip, and I’ll put mine on the golf.”
I nod. “Divide and conquer, my man,” I say, hearing footsteps behind us.
“Hey baby, there you are,” Jules says, going up on her toes, giving her husband a kiss before turning to me and pulling me in for a hug. “Hey Gray, good to see you,” she says warmly, before adding, “It’s a bummer The Seaside is going to slaughter you guys in two weeks.”
She hands us each a jersey with The Liberty logo etched across the chest and we slip them on.
“You working for the competition now, Jules?” I tease as she watches us tug our arms through the sleeves.
“When hell freezes over, Ford,” she says, calling me by my last name.
While Jules smoothes Beckett’s jersey, I take the opportunity to look around again for a glimpse of Sierra.
Sure enough, I spot her standing in the middle of a group of guys. Her boss, Michael Bennett, is by her side. When he moves a little to the left, I can see she’s wearing her Seaside jersey and a pair of fitted jeans that are very tight.She must be trying to kill me in those things.She’s the most beautiful woman on the field, and it’s clear that I’m not the only man who thinks so.
I watch the group, noticing the way that one guy she’s talking to keeps finding ways to touch her. Another is blatantly staring at her chest. I feel my jaw clench. Why does it piss me off so much?
I would love nothing more than to walk over there and strike up a conversation with Sierra, but I know it would make her feel uncomfortable. So instead, I chat with Jules and Beckett, all the while keeping Sierra in my line of vision.
Several of our colleagues from The Liberty stop to say hello, and I can tell that Beckett appreciates tonight’s great turnout. None of ushave tobe here tonight, but we’re a tight-knit group at the office and Beckett is a boss we all admire and respect. I know that everyone is happy to show up to support him and his sister. Tonight’s cause is a great one, but I have to admit I have an ulterior motive as well. My body has been humming at the chance to see Sierra.
She’s been on my mind constantly this week. I’ve been hoping to run into her, but she’s basically been a hermit, leaving the house to go to work and then shutting herself up indoors as soon as she’s back home. I’ve noticed her lights on well past midnight, but she keeps the blinds shut so I’m not sure what’s been keeping her up so late. It’s obvious she’s trying to avoid me, and I understand why, but she can’t lock herself away forever.
“I’ve gotta run, you two,” Jules says, flashing a smile at Beckett. “I want to take a few pictures for our socials.”
Beckett pulls her against him before she goes, kissing the top of her head and then watching her walk away. A committed relationship isn’t really in the cards for me, but if it was, their kind of relationship is what I would hope for.
My gaze then wanders to Sierra again. She’s still at the center of her little group of admirers, laughing at something one of them has said. She’s only been at the Reed Point office for a week now, but it’s clear she’s fitting in with everyone effortlessly. I’m not surprised. She has a way with people. She puts you at ease, making you feel like you’ve known her for years after only being in her presence for 15 minutes. I sigh, frustrated that I’m the only guy here who can’t just walk over and talk to her.
Finally, Sierra turns her head in my direction. Her dark brown eyes meet mine and my pulse instantly kicks up 10 notches. My gaze travels to her lips, then down past her shoulders to the length of her legs. I can’t help myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I register the fact that Beck is watching me with a smirk on his face.
Sierra pulls her eyes away from me then turns and heads in the opposite direction. It’s probably for the best—a work fundraiser is not the best place for an erection.
I’m still watching her walk away when Beckett is in my ear. “I’m pretty sure she’s still single,” he says in a low voice.
I’m happy to hear it, even though it doesn’t make a difference. “That’s not the problem,” I mumble. “Remember the old lady who lives next door to me, the one who was moved into a care home by her family?”
Beckett looks at me with a confused expression on his face. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned her. What does she have to do with Sierra?”
“Well, Miss Millie moved out andshemoved in. Sierra is my new fucking neighbor.”
Beckett’s eyebrows pinch together. “And..? Isn’t that a good thing? Why should that stop you from seeing her?”
“Oh, I haven’t got to the best part yet.”
“Try me.”
“Turns out she’s Jake’s younger sister.”
