Page 54 of Marring an Athlete

The voice grated on Michael’s nerves. Javier. Great.

“What do you need? I’m in the middle of a session,” Sefina said with annoyance clinging to her words.

“I think this is pretty important. Especially for this couple. I’ve brought someone with me,” Javier said.

“Who are you?” Sefina asked.

“Daisy.”

Michael’s blood ran cold. What was Daisy doing here? When he’d called her and left her a message telling her that he was going to the resort with McKenna, he didn’t expect her to follow him.

“And why are you here?” Sefina kept her body wedged in between the opening, but Michael could see the top of Daisy’s blonde hair.

“Cause that’s my fiancé in there.” Her New Yorker twang hung in the air as Anna turned to stare at him.

Wishing a giant hole would swallow him, Michael sat, staring at the rug underneath his feet.

“I’m not sure I’m following you,” Sefina said.

“Is Michael Jones in there?”

“Yes.”

“He’s my fiancé.”

Sefina moved away from the door, and Daisy stepped in. When she saw him, she squealed and headed straight toward him. Before he could stop her, she plopped down on his lap and wrapped her arms around him, practically suffocating him with her arms and perfume.

When she leaned back, she pressed her lips to his. Michael finally got a hold of her and pulled her away.

“Daisy, geez,” he said. He could feel Anna’s stare on him, but he was too chicken to look.

Daisy grinned down at him. “I’m happy I found you. I got your message and have been in hot pursuit since.” She reached out and tapped her finger on the tip of his nose.

Having had enough of this reunion, he shifted and slid her onto the couch next to him. “I didn’t suggest that you come here,” he said.

Daisy pushed out her bottom lip. “Well, when your fiancé says he’s going to Bora Bora, you get on a plane and follow him.” She scooted closer and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Too afraid to look over at Anna, Michael kept his gaze forward. Sefina had come back over and was sitting on her chair, looking very confused.

When he met her gaze, she opened her lips as if she were about to start saying something but then closed them again.

After a few seconds, Daisy straightened. It seemed like she finally realized that they weren’t the only ones in the room.

“Who are these people?” she asked, staring from Anna and then over to Sefina.

Michael sat up and cleared his throat. It was time. He’d been spending so much energy avoiding this exact encounter that he might as well embrace it now.

“This is our marriage counselor, Sefina Lopez.”

Sefina gave her a smile and nodded her head.

“And I’m Anna. Michael’s old friend and fake wife.” Anna came into view as she reached out her hand.

“Anna,” Daisy said as she shook her hand. “Fake wife?”

“It was for his sister McKenna. We’re here to help her fix her marriage. We’re aren’t actually married. We’re just faking it.”

“And that?” Daisy motioned toward the ring on Anna’s finger.

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