Page 98 of Changing Rules

I groan. “I’m not impatient. I want to help.”

“This party is for you, so do me a favor and go mingle.”

She pushes me away, and I obey, heading to the backyard, where Marco has set the table.

There are about ten people here so far. I recognize most of them, but I don’t think I’ve ever met the handsome guy who’s sitting on a bench talking to Liz, Meg’s sister.

With a frown, I tilt my head and study him. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him. When he smiles at Liz, it finally clicks—Josh Bowman, the center for the NBA’s Boston Bobcats. He joined the team last season and is absolutely incredible on the court. He locks eyes with me, and his smile only brightens.

Yeah, that signature smile is definitely why the women of Boston are obsessed with him.

“Ohhhh!” Meg sidles up next to me and nudges my arm. “He’s hot, isn’t he?”

“What is he doing here?” I don’t bother acknowledging her comment.

“Josh and Marco were friends in college. Now that he’s in Boston, they’ve been hanging out.”

Lips pressed together, I nod. Josh Bowman is hot, indeed, and the fact that he doesn’t play football makes him even more attractive. I take a sip of my drink, hiding a smile behind it, but Meg notices right away.

“Why are you smiling?” she asks.

“Just focusing on the good things.” I sit at the table and look up at her. “Reminding myself I can enjoy the evening. My worries will still be here tomorrow.”

“That’s my girl.” She grins, but the expression disappears a second later. “Shoot! I haven’t invited anyone to sit yet. I’m a terrible hostess.”

“You’re definitely not.” With a soft laugh, I pick up my full glass of rosé. I take a sip and sway to the rhythm of the music playing in the background as people make their way to the table.

Okay, I can handle this. Honestly, I’m glad I agreed to come.

“Is this seat taken?” The deep baritone goes right through my body.

I look up, and my eyes instantly lock on Josh Bowman’s gaze. “No. It’s all yours if you want it.”

He breaks into a lopsided grin, a dimple appearing in his right cheek.

He sits and holds out a hand. “I don’t think I’ve met you before. I’m Josh.”

“Isabella.”

“Beautiful name. It’s Italian, right?” He studies me, his chocolate brown eyes full of genuine interest.

Though they’re nothing alike, Xander’s blue-green orbs appear in my mind, the memory of the way he used to look at me the gentlest caress.

Oh my God, I need to snap out of it. So I say the first thing that comes to mind: “Yes, but I’m not Italian. Don’t have even an ounce of Italian blood in me, unfortunately.”

He frowns. “Why is that unfortunate?”

Nerves skitter down my spine, and a laugh bubbles out of me. “I don’t know.”

Feeling Meghan and Marco’s eyes glued to me, I sneak a glance in their direction.

Meg gives me a thumbs-up, while Marco furrows his brow, looking tense.

I don’t have the energy to decipher his expression, so I focus on Josh. “I have no idea why I said that.”

“Happens to me all the time.” He snorts. “It’s probably why Marco and I became friends so quickly. We often say things without thinking.”

“He’s grown up a lot since he and Meg got together.” I take a sip of my wine and then put the glass on the table, telling myself I should eat. If I don’t, the wine will quickly go to my head, and I’m likely to embarrass myself. “How do you like playing for the Bobcats?”

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