Page 50 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Seventeen

Anna

After stuffing herself full of an assortment of seafood and mouthwatering sides, Anna was grateful for the walk to their hut. She needed to work off the massive amount of calories she’d just consumed.

The moon shone against the water. A slight breeze blew through the palm trees above her, bringing the sweet smell of the flowers along the walk and surrounding her with it.

She took a deep breath, feeling the stress in her muscles lessen.

“It really is beautiful here,” Michael said as he matched her stride. He had his hands tucked into his front pockets. His blue button-up shirt and shorts gave him a sort of preppy, relaxed vibe.

Anna nodded and turned her attention to the waves that lapped against the shore. “I kind of don’t ever want to leave,” she breathed.

“Yeah. New Jersey won’t ever be as good now that we’ve been here.” His soft chuckle surrounded her like a familiar blanket.

She liked it when he was relaxed. When it was obvious that he wasn’t pretending. He always seemed to have a certain persona that he was trying to keep up. It was nice when he let it down and was just himself.

“How are things in New York going?”

His gaze moved to her, and he stared at her for a moment. “Good. Why are you asking?”

Anna raised her hands. “It’s something a friend does. Asks about the other person. Why? You didn’t kill someone and are trying to hide it, did you?” She studied his reaction. Something was up. He was trying to hide it, but he was definitely nervous.

“Nothing. Just the normal practice and games.” He ran his hand through his hair and turned his attention to the water.

“You know, if I’m going to help you as your PR person, I kind of need to know all the dirt.”

He pressed his hand to his heart. “Dirt? Who says I have dirt?”

Anna stopped so she could study him. “Did you just ask me that? Michael Eugene Jones, dirt follows you wherever you go.”

He feigned hurt as he glanced down at her. “It does not.”

“You were at the center of every scandal at school. I have a feeling that didn’t change after you hit adulthood. Besides, I’ve seen enough magazine articles to know that you have more skeletons in your closet than a mortician.”

A worried expression passed over Michael’s face, but as quickly as it came, it disappeared. Anna knew she’d been right. Michael was hiding something from her. It was only a matter of time before she pulled it out of him.

“Hey, aren’t we here to help McKenna and Sam? Not delve into my sketchy past?” He offered her a hopeful smile as if he was ready to move the conversation forward.

Anna narrowed her gaze and held up a finger. “Mark my words, I will find out. You can’t hide it forever.”

Michael held up his hands. “Sounds like a dare.” He leaned forward. “I’d like to see you try.”

Anna folded her arms. “Alright. It’s a dare. If I win, you. . .” She tapped her finger with her chin as she thought. What could she make him do?

His eyes widened. “Should I be worried that you are taking this long to think of something?”

Anna shot him a mischievous grin. “I just want it to be good.”

Michael held up his hand. “Then by all means, take your time.” His expression grew serious as he steadied his gaze. “I’ll give you my terms now. If I win, then I get to take you on a date.”

Anna stared at him. “A date? Like, here?”

He shook his head. “Nope. In New York. As my new PR person. I get to take you out and show you the city.”

Anna swallowed. Why did he want to do that? She started down the path, keeping her gaze on the ground. “You don’t want to do that. I’d hurt your publicity. You don’t want a nobody on your arm, dragging you down.”

A hand grasped her elbow, halting her steps. Michael came into her line of vision, but she was too scared to look up. Too scared of what he was about to say.

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