Page 34 of Tight Spot

“Thank you.”

“So, oh my god. If he wasn’t stuck at home with the kids, I’d totally make him come up and meet you, but oh…you might not like that. Right?”

“Geez, Margo. I’ve never seen you like this?”

“Well it’s not every day we get a famous athlete around here. Singers, sure, but still…”

The woman’s eyes were wide with wonder. Strange, absolutely so strange to me to be looked at this way. An uncomfortable itch started at my spine. I was used to this. I could fake it, but these were also Hailey’s friends. People she’d know long after I was gone.

I couldn’t be my typical dick, standoff self, which left me not quite knowing how to act.

“It’s fine. Cool. Actually, you want to take a pic of us?”

“Can I?”

Hailey smothered a laugh next to me, and I grinned down at her. “I didn’t realize people would treat you like toddlers treated Santa Claus.”

“This is minor. Trust me.”

And it was. A fan excited was one thing, but the things fans tossed our way—bras, underwear, phone numbers and business cards. It got weird sometimes.

“Really?”

God, the fact she didn’t know sports at all was starting to be a hell of a turn-on. “Yeah.”

Margo came back over with her phone, lined us up in front of the wine case. “Want me in this?” Hailey asked me.

“Damn straight I do. This is what you’re here for.”

“Right.” She flinched in my hold, smiled for the picture and as soon as Margo checked the screen I apologized.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” But the light in her eyes was gone and her lips were tilted into a frown.

“So, wine? Food? What would you two like?”

Reverse time, go back thirty-five seconds where I didn’t make Hailey look like I’d just sacked her to the turf.

Hailey’s smile returned. Fake as hell. Still looked pretty on her though.

“You pick, Dawson.”

“Sure? You’ve been here.”

“I like it all.” She waved at the wall, put her back to Margo, and scanned the wine at the far end.

I glanced at Margo over my shoulder. “She have a favorite?”

“Yep.”

“Then we’ll have a bottle of that. And some food? Appetizers or something?”

“There are several Hailey enjoys.”

“That’s not necessary.”

It was. I’d cheer her up with food and drink if I had to. “Everything she likes, bring it out.”

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