Page 28 of Falling for Mr. Wright

“That must have been an experience.”

“It was. I stayed in the area for a few years after college, but when the executive assistant position opened up at NPH, I went for it. Living in New York City had always been my dream.” She laughed. “But there are days when I miss Clara Belle and Henry.”

“Friends?”

“You could say that. Clara Belle is my dad’s favorite cow, and Henry, the rooster, showed up one day when I was eighteen and has never left Clara Belle’s side. He has quite a crush. They’re practically inseparable, and quite a sight to see. I have a picture.” She opened up her clutch and pulled out her phone, tapping until she found the photo she’d taken of them in the barn the last time she’d visited. “See.”

Ryan took a look at her phone. “Wow. Looks like love. I don’t know. Maybe someone should tell them that it’s probably not going to work out, and Clara Belle will kick Henry out to pasture the minute a bull walks by.”

“Never going to happen,” she protested, touching the phone to her heart. “She’s smitten with Henry. Besides, we don’t have bulls on the farm.”

Ryan laughed and guided her down the field with his hand on the small of her back. It was…comforting. “I’m really glad you came with me this weekend.”

Her heart beat a little faster. Did he mean as his coworker that he ate lunch with most days of the week or something more?

She gave that question a mental slap.Stop reading into everything he says and get back to the plan.“I really like working for Logan,” she said, half-heartedly bringing up the guy she was supposed to be interested in.

“Of course you do.” He smirked.

She swatted his arm. “I didn’t mean it that way. He’s a great boss and leader. Now, having to deal with the architects and their high demands is another story,” she teased.

“I’ve heard that. The civil engineers are assholes.”

They continued down the field in silence. Normally, dead air would have worried her, but there wasn’t anything awkward about this stroll. There was something special in taking in the starlit sky with Ryan by her side.

“So, what was Logan’s position on the team?”

“I told you. Bench warmer.”

“He didn’t have a position?”

“He was offense, but I could count on one hand how many plays he made his entire four years. I love the guy, but I wasn’t about to lose a state championship because he couldn’t catch the damn ball. He wasn’t very athletic—still isn’t. Haven’t you noticed?”

She laughed because, yeah, he really wasn’t. Logan always made excuses to not participate in the company softball team. While she could see him maybe with a racket in his hand, she couldn’t conjure up a visual of him playing any type of contact sport.

Why was that so disappointing?

Frowning, she scanned the length of the field. “You’re right. I can’t see Logan in a football helmet. Or a jersey, for that matter.” But shecouldsee Ryan in both. Particularly him in his football jersey, surrounded by adoring fans, as he rushed off the field after a big win.

Was it her imagination, or did Ryan suddenly look hotter?

“It’s definitely not for everyone.”

Flustered—who knew she had a thing for football players?—she lifted her chin. “I bet I wouldn’t have cost you a game.”

“Yeah?” Ryan tossed the ball in the air. “I’d like to see you prove it.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

Crap. She gestured to herself. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m wearing a dress.”

His eyes trailed down her body like a caress. “Oh, I’ve noticed.”

Her whole body flushed, bringing the temperature up a few degrees inside his suit jacket. Good lord. The man was too sexy for his own good. No wonder all the women in the office wanted him.

And she’d gone and bet him she could play football? A full-contact sport?

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