Page 7 of Lemon Cake

“I figured as much.”

“I had fun today.”

“Well, maybe we can do it more often. Thank you for the passes.” Gemma took her shopping from him and shyly waved, heading to her car. “See ya.”

He wanted to go after her, to escort her to her car like his mother had taught him, but that just seemed creepy now that she’d already walked off.

So with a dreamy sigh, he watched, wishing and hoping he’d see her again.

Gemma

“Where are we going and what’s in that bag?”

“I told you: it’s a surprise. Now hop into your seat before I change my mind.”

Dan threw himself into his booster seat, pouting and crunching his nose. “Mom said we shouldn’t tell lies.”

“I’m not telling you a lie. I’m just keeping a secret.”

Gemma made sure he’d properly buckled himself in before sitting in the driver’s seat and backing out of her spot. Her stomach tightened, butterflies fluttering away. After her coffee date with Rider, she couldn’t wait to see him again—even if that meant admiring him from afar. He’d been super sweet and made her feel comfortable. Of course, some parts had been awkward but first dates usually came with that expectation.

Dan had his arms crossed in front of his chest the whole drive—until the stadium came into view, and his face lit up. “Is that where we’re going?”

“Close.”

“Did you and Rider kiss? Mom said you two saw each other.”

“Yes, we went out for coffee. No, I didn’t kiss him.”

Although practice had just started, the parking lot was nearly full. Once they were out of the car, she held Dan’s arm and bent down to eye level.

“I know you’re very excited to see where I’m taking you, but you have to stay by my side, okay?”

“I will.”

Gemma reached into her backpack, revealing a kid-sized Bullrider’s jersey. “We won’t see a game, but we’re watching the team practice for the next one.”

Dan smiled so wide that it must have hurt his cheeks. “Will Rider be there too?”

“Yes, but he needs to concentrate so don’t distract him, okay?”

“Okay.”

She swung the backpack over her shoulders and took her nephew’s hand in hers, following the signs to the training facilities. She couldn’t help but look for Rider amongst the team warming up on the field. Just as her eyes landed on him, Dan excitedly pointed him out in the crowd.

He was already a bear of a man, but with his pads and helmet he looked even more delicious. His ass in those tight pants was just the icing on the cake.

Gemma and Dan found a spot to settle as the team split up into their squads. Though she enjoyed watching Rider, it also stung to be so close to her old hobby again.

Not a hobby,she corrected herself.

Football had been the love of her life. Even though she never would have played professionally like these guys,she still missed it. It was all she did in high school. Gemma had lived and breathed for the game.

Rider was good—not that she expected anything less. He was precise but also seemed to have fun, joking around with his friends. She even managed to sneak a few pictures of him.

Since it wasn’t a real game, Dan grew restless after a while. She tried to stay as long as she could, but Dan begged for Chick-Fil-A for lunch and she simply couldn’t resist having a lemonade date with her favourite boy.

Gemma drove to the first one she found with an indoor playground. As soon as Dan was occupied, she pulled out her phone.

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