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“Oh.” My cheeks filled with heat as I confessed, “I…um…never gave him a reason to discourage someone from dating me before. I’ve been super busy with school, so guys weren’t really on my radar.”
“I fucking love that pretty blush, but you don’t need to be embarrassed, baby,” he reassured me. “I understand what it’s like not to have time to date because you’re wholly focused on your goals. I can’t remember the last time I took someone to dinner.”
It was hard for me to believe that a professional football player as hot as Rhodes didn’t have women lining up to date him. “Really?”
“Asking you to dance last night was out of character for me.” Butterflies swirled in my belly at his answer, and they only intensified when he added, “I got a lot of shit from my teammates who were at the gala after you left, but having you in my arms was more than worth it.”
I was so glad that I didn’t allow my fear to stop me from coming here. It was turning out better than I ever could’ve expected. “I’m so glad you feel that way. I was afraid that my uncle might’ve scared you off.”
“Can’t think of anything that could do that.” He flashed me a cocky grin. “And don’t worry, I’ll brush off my rusty dating skills to make sure you enjoy yourself tonight.”
Tapping my finger against my chin, I tilted my head to the side. “Shouldn’t I set everything up since I’m the one who asked you out to dinner?”
“Have no doubt, I would’ve asked if you hadn’t beaten me to the punch.” He shook his head. “And that’s not gonna happen, baby. No way in hell are you making the arrangements for our first date. I’ll be doing that.”
“Well, then I guess I’ll text you my address so you can pick me up for our first date.” Climbing back into my car, I winked up at him. “And when you drop me off, I’ll let you know how you did at knocking the rust off your dating skills.”
4
RHODES
Iconsidered taking the subway to show Finley that I was a “normal” guy, but then I tossed the idea because she wasn’t stupid. She was well aware that I wasn’t just another New Yorker. It was the same reason I reserved a table in a quaint restaurant I’d discovered in Little Italy. The dim lighting, secluded booth, and quiet atmosphere meant we’d be more likely to eat peacefully without paparazzi or other interruptions. I loved my fans, and I usually had no problem giving them my time, even just stopping for a selfie on the street. But this was my first date with the woman I intended to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted all of my focus on her.
The black cab I’d hired eased up to the curb in front of an old red brick building with charming shutters and flower boxes under the windows. The stairs expanded into a porch that spanned the whole front, and an older woman sat in a rocking chair off to the left of the front door. She was bundled up, but I was still surprised to see someone just hanging out in the frigid January weather.
She smiled at me as I approached, looking every inch the sweet old granny, but her gaze was shrewd, and I distinctly felt as if she was sizing me up.
“You must be Rhodes. Here to pick up Finley?” she asked when I reached the top step.
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied politely because my mom hadn’t raised a fool. And she’d fall down dead if she thought I wasn’t using my manners. “To both.”
She smiled with a glint of humor in her gray eyes. “Hmm. Where are you taking her?”
I named the restaurant, and there was the slightest bob of her head, making me think she approved of my choice.
“She’s special, so be careful with her.”
Looking her straight in the eyes, I told her the truth. “Nothing is more precious to me than Finley.”
“Good. I’m Glynnis. I own the building. Nice to meet you, Rhodes.”
“You too.” My smile was genuine, not just because she was funny but because she obviously cared about Finley.
The door opened, and my girl stepped outside, taking my breath away with her beauty. She wore tight jeans tucked into winter boots with a bit of white fur around the top. Her breasts looked fucking amazing in the clingy, fuzzy white sweater I glimpsed before she put on her heavy coat and zipped it up.
“Glynnis!” Finley cried. “What the heck are you doing out here! It’s freezing. You’re going to catch a cold!”
“I approve of your young man,” Glynnis announced with a firm nod and wide smile.
Finley laughed, making my heart squeeze, then leaned over to give the woman a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you. Now that you’ve passed judgment, will you please go back inside? I don’t want to have to call your son,” she threatened.
Glynnis’s face twisted up like she’d eaten a lemon. “Tattletale.”
“You know it,” Finley said without an ounce of remorse as she urged the woman up and walked her to the front door. I hurried to open it, and both of them glanced at me with a smile. “I’m just going to make sure she gets inside,” she told me before they disappeared through the entrance.
Finley returned a few minutes later and smiled at me as I held the door again for her. “Sorry about that. She’s the best landlord and incredibly spry for eighty, but sometimes I think she believes she’s still twenty years younger.”
I chuckled and took her gloved hand, tucking it into my arm before we descended the steps and walked to the Town Car. “Have you had to tattle before?”
