Page 60 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Twenty

Michael

Michael sat next to Daisy on the beach. She was drinking a margarita and fanning herself with the latest People magazine. She’d just spent the last hour reading him the latest in celebrity gossip.

He was trying to listen—he really was—but all he could think about was Anna. Where was she? Soon after Anna left, he and Daisy made small chat with Sefina and then went back to their hut where he found that Anna and her luggage were nowhere to be seen.

He’d figured she’d gone to McKenna’s room, and he wanted to go see. But Daisy had dragged him all over the resort, never giving him a good reason to break away.

Now with the sun setting in front of them, he was worried he’d waited too long, and Anna hated him. Why was he such an idiot sometimes?

He could never make the right decision. It hadn’t really mattered in the past. But now? He just might lose the one girl he’d ever truly loved. The one who really mattered the most.

“You’re so quiet. Is everything okay?” Daisy asked, breaking through his thoughts.

“Daisy, I. . .” What was he supposed to say? That he loved someone else? That they should break off their engagement? His heart swelled at the thought of running after Anna. Declaring his love for her. That was all he wanted right now.

“Ooo, did I tell you? I talked to Daddy yesterday. He said he was able to talk to the rep for Pepsi and they are interested in chatting with you about a sponsorship. Apparently, they have some new drink coming out, ice something.” She turned and shot him her million-dollar smile.

His stomach lightened at the thought. A sponsorship with a huge company like that would do wonders for him. This was just what he was looking for.

But if getting that sponsorship meant staying with Daisy, he couldn’t do it. He didn’t love her. He loved Anna. And no amount of money would persuade him to stay away.

“Daisy, we need to talk.” He straightened and turned, so he had her full attention.

Her eyes widened as she studied him.

He parted his lips. This was it. He was going to tell her that they were done. That he loved someone else.

“Mr. Jones?” Javier’s thick accent halted his words.

Michael turned to see Javier walk up. “Yeah?” he asked. He really wasn’t in the mood to talk to him. Not when Michael was pretty sure he’d been flirting with Anna this whole time.

“Good, I found you. I just wanted to let you know that there will be a bonfire for the guests this evening. I’ve already talked to Anna, but she said you two are no longer together?” He paused and glanced down at Daisy. “Good to see you again.”

Daisy stretched out her hand as if she expected Javier to kiss it. He hesitated and then shook it. “Daisy Price. I’m Michael’s fiancée.”

Javier raised his eyebrows as he glanced from Daisy and then over to Michael. “I know, you told me that earlier.” A smile played on his lips and Michael had half a mind to punch it off. “I’m happy to see you are still here.” He fell silent for a moment before he turned and waved down the beach. “As I was saying, the bonfire is this evening. There will be music and dancing. Please make sure you come. I will be bringing Anna with me.” He leaned forward and smiled.

Michael stared him down. He wanted to ask what Javier had planned but couldn’t figure out the words to say it. So what if Javier liked Anna, and Anna felt the same way?

Perhaps he’d been wrong about everything. Here he’d been, thinking that Anna really cared about him. But that didn’t seem true. Not when she’d already moved on to Javier. Just his luck, the minute he really truly cared about someone, and she didn’t feel the same.

“Thanks, Javier. We’ll be there!” Daisy called after him as he made his way across the beach. She turned and studied Michael. “Well, that sounds fun, doesn’t it?”

Michael sat back, folding his arms across his chest. Well, if Anna could move on that fast, so could he. Two could play at this game. He was going to push all the feelings he thought he had for her down and focus on Daisy.

He just needed enough will power. That was all.

* * *

Loud music could be heard as they walked across the sand toward the huge bonfire that rose up from the beach. Smoke billowed above it like a beacon.

Daisy was next to him, grabbing onto his arm. She’d insisted on wearing stilettos on the beach, and every time she took a step, her heels sunk into the sand causing her to teeter.

She was talking about how beautiful the beach was at night and Michael was trying to listen, but all he could focus on was where Anna was, and if she was here with Javier.

When they got to the refreshment table that had been set up, he tried to nonchalantly check the faces around him. But none of them were Anna.

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