I mean, the pants.
He’s totally not charming my thong off. That little lacy number is staying where it belongs.
“That’s a good technicality. Let’s be friends,” I say, and we shake on it.
My one-night stand is now officially off-limits in the bedroom.
As friends, we return to the ballroom and join my colleagues and the people from the charity. We chat and nibble on appetizers, Drew posing for photos in front of the banner.
He’s the opposite of the guys from last year.
There’s no scowl to be seen for miles.
He’s so photogenic. That smile that dazzled me the day I met him on the beach is shining at full wattage. My chest warms as I look at him.
Someone nudges me and I startle, then relax when I realize it’s Stephen. “It’s like hiring America’sguy next door for the quarterback,” my boss says at a low volume, shaking his head in admiration.
“That’s a pretty apt description,” I agree.
“He’s going to make our lives so much easier if this keeps up. The camera loves him,” he says. “When you add in the mom, the kid sisters, the lifelong friends—it’s a PR dream.”
He might as well blow a chef’s kiss. Stephen’s got a vision for his new golden guy. He’ll serve it up to the media, and the media will love it.
“That would make our lives easier,” I say.
He grins, diabolically pleased. Then he tips his chin toward the guy with the magic arm and the perfect rep. “Let’s grab a photo of you with him too.”
I shoot him the side-eye.
“No. Seriously. I want pictures of him everywhere. I want to show the world we’re a united team, from management to the players, here at the Mercenaries.”
I slap on my poker face and slide in next to the star.
“Lucky me,” Drew whispers.
But we’re sort of unlucky too.
When the event winds down, Paul from the charity corrals Drew into a long conversation, and it’s time for me to call it a night. I say goodbye to Stephen, thanking him again for the horchata and the promotion, then I head to the lobby to call a Lyft.
I enter my location in the app, but before I can finish, I hear footsteps.
I stop tapping. I turn around. Drew’s by my side.
“You’re not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?”
“Of course not. Just ordering a Lyft. I was going to say goodbye.”
He covers my hand with his. “Don’t take a Lyft. Let’s walk for a bit. As friends.”
So, as friends, we leave together.
9
MY HARDSHIP
Drew
I don’t want a consolation prize with Brooke, but I also don’t want to go home yet. So in this case, I take the consolation prize. I hold the door for her as we go, glancing toward the ocean, the waves crashing nearby.