Page 32 of Crazy Love

So, I think they’re more than ready to adjust to my methods.

I’ve heard what they’ve had to say in our meetings, placed massive food orders, and this morning, one of my shipments came in, so I can start proving that healthy food doesn’t have to mean gross food. Besides traveling with the team and providing their meals, it’s my responsibility to offer pre and post-workout meals at the training facility. The thought of coming up with creative ways to help the body perform to capacity has excited me since I started learning about it in a nutrition class in high school.

I’ve arrived every morning at five to get ready for them. We’ve used up most of what was on hand and this will be the first morning that I can give them my favorite choices—from protein bars and energy drinks to my recipe for salmon and chicken noodle soup that will be on the lunch buffet.

I stir up my special recipe for what I’ll call our Mustangs Magic drink and pour it into little cups so they can drink it in two large gulps. I’m excited to see what they think of it. I tested it out in California and heard only positive things. I have that all set up next to the supplements and then they can hit the omelet bar, the waffles, and fresh fruit. There’s a carb table full of snacks for them to grab on their way out to practice.

The assistant dietitian, Toby, helps with everything, and Lorelai walks through every now and then to give her stamp of approval. So far, I really like our team. Lorelai’s a good leader and Toby takes direction from me well.

Once we’re set up, I have only a few minutes to spare before the players start pouring in.

Penn is the first one through the door. It still catches me by surprise to see him, not because I’m not aware thatI’m working with him, but because I am so attracted to him. It’s like PopRocks exploding in my body every time he crosses my path. For the past few days, I have been hyperaware of him.

He’s smiled sweetly. Like that guy I met in the Bahamas. Been the perfect gentleman, despite the way his body reacted in my office the other day…which, holy hell, that vision is playing on repeat inallmy fantasies.

I’m so distracted by him I don’t know what to do with myself.

“First one in line, huh?” I tease, handing him a cup of Mustangs Magic.

The drink is neon green and he eyes it for a second and then grins, taking it from me. “What is it?”

“Mustangs Magic.”

“Magic, huh? You trying to turn us into superheroes?”

“Something like that. Or, at the very least, keep you from crashing midway through practice.”

“Someone’s gotta test it out to see if we’ll survive this.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning, so I can’t be taken seriously. “Dramatic much, Preacher Man?”

He smirks and lifts the cup, turning toward the team, filing in behind him. “Gentlemen, today we embark on a journey into the unknown. Will this magic concoction make us stronger? Faster? Will it unlock the secrets to the universe? There’s only one way to find out.” He nods and leans in, causing my breath to halt. “Watch this, I’ll be so convincing they’ll be lining up to drink it like it was their idea.”

“If you pull that off, I’ll owe you,” I tell him.

His grin deepens. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Laughter ripples through the group as he downs the drink. He pauses and then nods approvingly, smacking his lips together. “That’s actually delicious.”

I try to contain my excitement that he likes it.

A few teammates are wary, but then they start grabbing their own cups. One by one, they gulp down the drink and not one of them complains about the taste.

Penn hangs around as the others move on to pile their plates with food.

“Nice work. The preacher man strikes again. You’ve already got them believing in this magic,” I whisper.

He grins. “I can be very convincing when I want to be.”

When he walks away, I’m flustered. I’m pretty sure the other day in my office and just now, he was flirting with me.

As soon as they leave, I start snacks and lunch prep. During their break outside, I take out Pedialyte freezer pops and squeezable applesauce. When I reach Penn, his fingers brush against mine as he takes the popsicle from me and I freeze.

He grins and leans in. “What are you doing later?”

I look at him in surprise. “Crashing. I’m exhausted.”

“Have dinner with me first?” he asks, his voice husky.

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