Coach squeezes my shoulders. “Great. We’re looking forward to meeting Lily.”
Looking forward to meeting Lily.
The words have spun in my head like fans chanting for the last two days. It’s bad enough that Lily insisted on driving to Coach’s place, stating that was also part of her job. When I probed further, she simply said that being in control of as many factors as possible was key to my safety.
The notion had me checking the passenger side mirror the entire trip over. Thankfully, I noticed nothing unusual except for the lady walking her bright pink poodle on the sidewalk. Her owner had matching hair. I may have to tell Luke’s fiancée, Sophie, about that one since she likes that color so much.
I switch the bag holding a bottle of wine to my other hand for at least the fourth time as we walk up the path to Coach’s front door.
Lily glances at me. “Relax, Payton.”
“Easier said than done.”
Before I can push the doorbell, she nudges my shoulder, forcing me to face her. “Then reframe the situation.”
I’m instantly intrigued. “How so?”
She tilts her head. “Pretend this is a game you want to win.”
I think my eyebrows just merged with my hairline. “A game? You’re bloody kidding, right?”
The corners of her mouth tip up in a mysterious smile that captures my full attention. “We’ll make it a competition to see who does the best job of convincing everyone we’re madly in love.”
The nervous energy pulsing through my body coalesces into pinpoint focus like a shot on goal during the last minute of a period. She’s challenging me, and I relish it.
My gaze skims her lovely face, settling briefly on her lips. “You’re on.”
Lily leans in until she’s pressed against me and lifts her head to the side of my head farthest from the door. Her lips brush my ear as she speaks. “Someone’s at the door, about to open it. Act as if I’m telling you what I want to do when we get home later.”
The corners of my mouth slide up of their own accord, and heat instantly rises up the back of my neck. I close my eyes, turning my head slightly toward her as if to lean into her words, which I totally am. No acting needed.
The sound of the door opening, followed by a throat clearing, pulls us apart.
Coach divides his grin between us. “Glad you two could make it.”
I hand him the bottle of wine I brought. “A little something for tonight.”
Ever the dutiful fake wife, Lily beams at him. “Thank youfor having us.”
“Come on in. Olivia has some appetizers set out to hold us over until dinner.”
As we step inside, a group chorus chimes out. “Surprise!”
Good thing I handed that wine bag to Coach because it would have hit the floor, making a mess. Even Lily jumped and grabbed my arm. Not to cling to me but to yank me behind her.
I grab her hips in a subtle tug to shift her next to me. “Wow, everyone’s here.”
Smiling, Lily plays along by slipping one arm around my waist and resting the other on my chest. Doesn’t take long for the heat from her hand to feel more like a branding iron through the fabric of my shirt.
I cover her hand with mine, feeling almost prideful that I get to present Lily to everyone. And I mean everyone. Even Derek’s wife, who I’d begun to think didn’t exist, is here, hanging on his arm.
“Ladies and gentlemen?—”
A snicker comes from someone—I suspect one of the young rookies just promoted up—from the back of the room, to which Luke gives his signature grunt to shut it down.
“I’d like to introduce you to my Lily.” I shake my head. “I mean my wife, Lily.”
Chuckles fill the room as Sophie rushes up. “Hi, I’m Sophie. Luke’s fiancée. It’s so great to meet you!”
