Page 21 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

“I’ll be right back.” He puts his hands out to me as if to say ‘Don’t go anywhere,’ and I nod my head.

“Don’t you carry those around for just this occasion?” Brie nudges Susie's arm and the laugh I’ve been holding comes out.

“Where do you find these guys? A sports bar?” Susie’s mouth forms the most adorable little O, and I watch as pink stains her cheeks, and I laugh harder. “You do!”

She’s avoiding looking at me, which is perfect because I can let my eyes roam her face without her catching me. Her gaze flicks to mine, and my breath catches.

“Still wearing the kicker’s jersey, I see,” Josh’s voice snaps me out of the moment I’m caught up in, reminding me that this girl is his sister and off-limits.

I glance over just as Josh is whispering something in Brie’s ear.

“How did it feel to be on the field for the first time without your brother?” Susie’s question brings my focus back to her. I see her chest rise and fall and decide that rather than tease her about ‘sports bar guy’, I’ll answer her question.

“It was…conflicting.” I shrug one shoulder. “Coming off the field and being so excited about the win felt exhilarating…”

“But?” She asks, her head slightly tilted and her eyes soft. I feel myself getting lost in her eyes and force my gaze away from hers, the corner of my lips curving up in a sheepish grin.

“But,” I lift my gaze back to hers. “I felt a moment of sadness coming off the field.”

“Because Steve wasn’t there with you?” There she goes again. This woman sees me so clearly. I’m not sure I could hide from her even if I tried. “I think that’s to be expected, and I’m sure time will help once this team starts to feel likeyourteam.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “After today’s game, I’m already starting to feel that way.”

“Awesome!” Susie beams at me. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out only to see my mom’s name on the screen. Susie points to the phone. “Do you have to take that?”

“It’s my mom.” I silence the call and bring my gaze back to Susie’s bright green one. “I’ll call her on my way home.”

“Come on, Susie.” Susie’s head whips over to Brie. “Let’s head home.”

“Okay.” She looks at me, smiles, and touches my arm, sending tingles to my fingers. “It was fun chatting. Hopefully, I’ll run into you again soon.”

Heat runs through my body. My heart glitches, and a crooked smile crosses my lips at the thought of how much I’d enjoy running into Susie again. “I’d like that.”

My gaze holds hers for a moment longer before I break eye contact and look at Josh and Brie.

“Bye, Brie.” I smile, then clap Josh on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow, man.”

As I head to the players' parking lot, I must focus on keeping my head facing forward and not turning to take one last look at Susie.

“Oh shoot,” I hear Susie exclaim, and laughter rumbles through my chest.

A grin stretches across my face, and happiness washes over me as I realize we all forgot about ‘sports bar guy’.

Chapter Nine

Susie

“Do you think Adamis hot, too?”

My pulse races as Josh’s words play on repeat. For a moment, I thought he was watching Adam and me talking at the stadium, but that wasn’t it at all. He’s jealous because he thoughtBriewasinto Adam.

Another laugh racks my body, and I wrap my arm around my stomach, wiping tears from my eyes. I’ve been watching this back-and-forth between Josh and Brie for years. I don’t understand how they are entirely oblivious to their feelings for each other.

There isn’t one person in Pleasant Hollow who doesn’t see it…well technically that’s not true. There aretwopeople.

I shake my head and chuckle, then skip up the front steps and shove my key in the lock.

As I turn the doorknob, I recall Adam strolling through the locker room exit. The glint in his eyes when his gaze met mine. Heat ran through me, and he took my breath away when he ran his hand through his hair.

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