Page 46 of The Comeback

“Absolutely not.” She shoves her chair back.

“This is crazy.” Leah frantically digs into her purse until she draws out her phone. “Thank you so much. You’re so kind.” She turns her attention to Charlotte. “And thank you for letting us crash your dinner.”

“It’s fine. It comes with the territory. My father played football, and so does my brother. It’s something I’ve spent my entire life around.”

“Who’re your father and brother?” The man puts his arm around his wife’s waist as we squeeze together to get in the camera’s view.

“Brett and Knox Tillman.”

“That’s crazy.” Aaron’s eyes widen. “Your kids will be destined for greatness from the second they’re born.”

“We just started dating,” Charlotte says.

“Shit.” The man cringes.” I didn’t mean to make things awkward.”

“Please.” Charlotte holds the phone to her face. “We just had dinner with his mom and sister. After they heard some things last night outside of our hotel room door that no families want to hear. This is not awkward at all.”

Leah shakes her head. “Wait until one of them walks in on you. I was on Aaron’s lap, minding my own business, in our own living room, when his dad stopped by unannounced. He learned the art of knocking rather than using his spare key that day.”

“Yes. Yes, he did.”

As I smile for the camera, my heart skips a beat. Charlotte is the perfect football wife, even if she doesn’t want to be. She understands the importance of the fans. She’s polite and welcoming of the intrusion. She’s comfortable in her own skin. I couldn’t ask for a better woman to share my future with. Now, I’ve got to convince her I’m worth the risk.

Chapter Twenty-Four

A Couple of Days Later

Charlotte

After I pull up in front of Chloe’s Bakery, I glance over at Piper. “You’re going to love this place.”

The bakery is the sister shop to the café I took Weston to for breakfast after our first session. Or, in this case, the daughter shop to the café. Chloe’s parents own the café, and she owns the bakery.

She wrinkles her nose. “It’s pink.”

“I’m sure Chloe could add some black frosting on a cupcake and toss a skeleton on top of it if you think it would make it taste better.”

“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and yanks on the door handle. “I’m sure I can find a way to choke down a pink frosted one.”

“I bet you can.” I wink at her, climb out of my car, and wait for her on the sidewalk. “Thank you for going out with me. It’ll be fun.”

“Are you sure?” She eyes me up and down.

“What? Am I not cool enough for you?” I shake my foot in front of me to show off my Ugg boots. “It goes with my shorts and white top.”

“You’re trying too hard.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “And you’re not trying hard enough.”

“Good one.” She presses her lips together and tips her head toward me.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get a cupcake. I need something sweet.”

“You do need something sweet.” She smirks and takes a step toward the bakery door. “You’re hanging out with my brother. You deserve a reward.”

“Also, a good one.” I hug her to my side. She has no idea what rewards I get for dating her brother. They’re coming in an abundance I could have never anticipated.

As we step inside, the door chimes above us. Piper stops in mid-step and stares with an open mouth. “Wow. This is a lot of pink, yellow, and white.”

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