Page 45 of Marring an Athlete

Anna smiled and nodded. “Yeah. I’m probably over thinking it.”

“Who knows, maybe we can get Javier to join us. You two seem to be hitting it off.” He winced as the words tumbled from his mouth. What was the matter with him? Anna could flirt with anyone she wanted to. It wasn’t like they were dating or married.

Anna’s eyebrows rose as she turned her attention over to him. “We’re doing this again? Javier isn’t interested in me.”

Michael leaned back as he studied her. “Right. Anna you can be so naive sometimes. You don’t ever see that someone’s interested in you until it’s hitting you over the head.” Heat raced up his spine at his words. Even though they rang true in more ways than one, he felt bad saying it. “I’m—”

The door opened, and a small woman entered. She looked no taller than five feet. She had on thick glasses, and her dark hair was pulled up into a bun on her head. She glanced over at them and smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I presume,” she said. Her accent was heavy on her words.

Michael straightened and nodded. “Michael. And this is Anna.”

“Sefina Lopez, but you can call me Sefina.” She made her way over to the arm chair and sat down. She grabbed the folder next to her and opened it. Her gaze roamed over whatever was inside of it. After a moment, she glanced up.

“How long have you two been married?” she asked.

Michael glanced over at Anna whose skin had paled. They really hadn’t gone over the specifics. She met his gaze and looked as if she were waiting for him to answer.

“Just a few months. It’s relatively new.” Being vague seemed like the best idea.

Sefina nodded and turned her attention back to the folder. “Well, most couples fill out the questionnaire before they come, but it seems as if you two didn’t do that.” She reached over and grabbed a pen. “Is there a reason why?”

Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “To tell you the truth, Doc. We’re here because we are helping out my sister McKenna. She’s struggling with her marriage and wanted us to come along for moral support.”

Sefina glanced from Michael to Anna. She clicked on her pen and wrote something down. “Interesting. So, there’s nothing you want to discuss? You have me for an hour.” She gave him a smile. It was warm and reminded him of a grandmother.

“I think we’re good,” he said, leaning back.

“I have something.” Anna’s voice surprised him. He glanced over to see her studying her hands.

“Perfect. Why don’t you speak, Anna,” Sefina said with her pen poised.

“I guess I’d like to discuss why I was most recently called naive.” She turned to look at Michael. “I may have made some mistakes in the past, but I’m not the only one.”

Michael stared at her. Was she serious? “Anna, I’m just looking out for you. You know, protecting you.”

“Hang on,” Sefina raised her hand, halting their conversation. “It’s important to first validate her words.” She glanced at Michael from over her glasses.

Michael cleared his throat. “Validate?”

Sefina nodded. “Let her know that you heard her concerns. Turn to her and look her in the eye. Really engage her.”

Michael swallowed. That was the last thing he wanted to do. If he let Anna know the real reason why he cared so much when she flirted with Javier, it wouldn’t end well. There was no way Anna could have feelings for him, and if she did, there was no way he could encourage them.

“Look at her?” he asked.

Sefina studied him. “There are two types of languages. Words we speak and body language. It is important to utilize both.” She waved her hand to the two of them. “Try it.”

Michael cleared his throat and turned, facing Anna. Her eyes were wide as she studied him.

“I heard what you said. It hurt your feelings that I called you naive.” He leaned in. “I’m sorry.”

Anna’s eyebrows rose. Her gaze softened as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. You’re probably right. I can be naive sometimes. I mean, look how things turned out with Patrick. I was an idiot to let things go on that long.”

Michael’s chest squeezed at the thought of her ex. If he ever got in the room with that guy—Michael let out a deep breath. There was no reason to get worked up right now. Besides, that seemed like the last thing Anna needed right now.

“Very good, Anna. It’s important to take ownership of past mistakes.” Sefina’s words drew their attention over to her. She was writing something on her pad. “Now, Michael, why did you feel that you needed to call her naive? Most times the words we say in frustration have a deeper meaning to them. Did it have to do with the past relationship with Patrick or something else?” She sat there with her pen tip on the paper, as if what he was about to say was the most riveting thing.

Michael parted his lips. He and Anna had come to a good place. It felt wrong to stir things up again. “I—um.” He glanced over at Anna. “I think I’m good. We don’t need to delve into it anymore.”

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