Page 3 of Keeping the Score

“Because you look magically delicious.”

Her lips quirk but she rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “That is so bad.”

I grin. “But true. So, what’s up?”

“I need a favor.”

I groan with exaggerated dismay. “Another one?”

I’m just razzing her. She doesn’t ask me for many favors, and when she does I always agree. I’ve never been able to say no to her.

That makes it sound like she takes advantage of me, and she totally does not. I know it bugs her when she needs help with something. Sometimes I step in and offer to help before she asks because I know she’ll break her brain trying to put IKEA furniture together before she’ll admit she needs help. After her divorce, she bought a new bed and built it herself. The next morning, it collapsed with her on it.

I teased her about headboard-banging sex, but I knew she was alone. And I grabbed an Allen wrench and got to work so the slats were in right side up. While definitely not thinking about how I was making her bed safe for headboard-banging sex.

I’m a selfish asshole focused on one thing and one thing only—my career. Especially this year. But even a selfish asshole like me has some compassion. There’s something about Andi that makes me want to keep an eye out for her. It was hard seeing how low she was after her marriage ended, when she’s usually so cheerful and spirited. And she’s a single woman used to having a man around. Is that sexist? Probably. I don’t give a shit. I’ll watch out for her since Trevor the Tool screwed her over.

I can’t believe I was friends with that guy. Fuck him.

Iamstill friends with Andi, however. Yes, she’s a woman. Yes, I’d fuck her on the nearest available surface if she gave even a hint she was interested. Which she has not. But I don’t have time for romantic crap. Anything more than hookups leads to plans, obligations, and responsibilities I don’t want.

“And this one’s huge.” She flashes an entreating smile.

“That’s whatshesaid,” I smirk.

She cracks up laughing again. “Okay. I need a date for the awards dinner next week.”

Right. She told me she’s been nominated for some award by some business association.

“Are you finally asking me on a date?” I grin. “You’resingle now.I’msingle. Coincidence? I think not.”

I always make jokes like that. She knows I’m not serious. We’re just friends.

“It’s not a real date. I just don’t want to go alone. Elodie was going to come with me.” She names her friend. “But she just got word she has to go to Dallas next week on business.”

“What about all those men you smash and dash?”

She frowns. “Ew.”

“Hit and run? Screw and shoo?” I pause, thinking. “Ride and hide?”

“Jesus. You make it sound so sleazy.”

“No judgment here, Marsh.” I shake my head. “I don’t blame you for getting back on that horse.” No judgment because I’m the same. Hit it and quit it.

“Like you’re any different.” She lifts an eyebrow.

I shrug. “I don’t deny it.”

“So… can you come with me?”

Ugh. I’d do almost anything for her, but it’s getting close to training camp and I’m really trying to stick to my plan. My schedule. “What day is the dinner?”

“Thursday. The season hasn’t started,” she adds cajolingly.

It hasn’t, but my work has. “Thursday is the night I clean my floors.”

She bites her lip in an adorable yet hot way. “I know.” She gives me an apologetic smile and blinks her long eyelashes at me. Oh, hell. “Maybe you could do that a little earlier that day?”

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