Page 89 of At First Smile
However, that’s not the only reason I’m doing this. I want to go. I want to hold his hand when he faces Landon. I want to meet his family. I want to be obnoxious about bidding on him, so the entire room knows that he’s mine as much as I know I’m his.
“Rowan,” I pant, pulling back from our kiss. “I was serious about you taking me in the locker room.”
“Pen,” he groans, pressing his forehead to mine. “You may be the end of me.”
“But what a way to go.”
And it truly was.Up against the locker. Straddling Rowan on the bench. The lick of cool tile along my back as Rowan went down on me in the shower. He’ll never look at the locker room in the same way again.
As adult as last night was, today is the complete opposite. The MVP Foundation’s event is being held at a sprawling park in Sherman Oaks. To christen the fully accessible playground the foundation built, families of kids who have attended MVP’s various adaptive sports camps, wealthy donors, and several famous athlete clients of Greg’s agency are participating in a series of sports contests. An official ribbon cutting for the new equipment and the announcement about the partnership with Walters will be held between the contests and a celebratory BBQ.
Rowan drove, but waited in his SUV, to give me a ten-minute head start so I could enter the event solo. Nelson and the hospital chief of staff, who will be in attendance, planto arrive closer to noon when the official announcement and ribbon cutting occur. I opted to come early with Rowan to watch some of the games, including Rowan participating in a game of goalball, a rugby-esque game where all players are blindfolded.
“Ms. Meadows.” A woman with a warm voice strides down the sidewalk that loops through the park. “I’m Sasha Ortiz-Lawson.”
“Lovely to meet you, Ms. Ortiz-Lawson. Please, call me Pen.” Smiling, I reach out my hand.
“As long as you call me Sasha.” She tightens her grip. “I’m so excited to meet you.”
I bet you are.My grin gets larger.
“My son Damon is a huge fan. He did a project on your social media for school.”
“Really?” My head tilts.
As exciting as the idea is of kids learning more about disability through Cane Austen and Me, it’s still a shock to hear things like this. It’s why I do it. Still, it’s weird.
“Yeah.” She waves at someone and then turns her gaze back at me. “I’m glad you came early. I know you’re here for Walters, but I’d love to give you a VIP tour of the playground and, if you’re okay with it, maybe you could shoot a video or take some photos for our foundation’s social media? Of course, you’re welcome to use it on Cane Austen and Me. You’re a bit of a celebrity to a lot of the kids we work with.”
“I’d love a sneak peek.” Shifting my feet, I adjust my oversized sunhat. “But I’m hardly a celebrity. From what I read on the event’s info, you have several gold medalists, a Superbowl champion, and some hockey players in attendance today.”
“Speaking ofhockey players.” It’s almost salacious the way it drips from Sasha’s lips “Rowan.”
“Sasha,” he greets, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
“Rowan, you remember Pen Meadows.”
“Yup.” His big smile is visible from under the brim of his cap.
“Mr. Iverson,” I say, biting my lower lip.
“Ms. Meadows,” he murmurs, his fingers briefly brush against the small of my back but quickly return to his side.
“Oh my god! You two are together,” Sasha exclaims, motioning between us.
“Can’t get anything by you, Sash.” He chuckles, but still keeps his hands at his side.
We agreed. No touching. No kissing. No handholding. For the next six hours, we know each other but don’t appear toknoweach other in the many, many intimate ways we do.
With Rowan standing inches from me, his heat laps against my body, and I rethink this request.Stupid, Pen.
“Sorry to disappoint you. Your romantic subterfuge was for naught,” I offer with an apologetic grin.
“I’m not disappointed in the least. Just glad he got out of his own way.” She leans over, swatting Rowan’s bicep. “Just wish he’d told me, so I could have a statement ready to go in case any reporters?—”
“No statements,” he jumps in. “We’re not hiding this but we’re keeping our relationship quiet.”
“Just until the thirtieth.” My fingers brush against the top of Rowan’s hand, drawing his attention to me.Okay, clearly, he was right. I cannot keep my hands off him.
