“It’s okay. I get it.” Sophie gives me a quick hug. “We’re going to have a blast on the ride up.” She pats her big brown bag, “I brought my research for the fundraiser so we can get a jump on planning.”
Mia grins. “Great idea! I’ve got plenty of snacks so we can stay fueled up, too.”
“Perfect.” I force a smile, all the while searching out Payton’s location by the bus, and notice the guys are starting to board. I hand Sophie my keys. “Load up your stuff. I’ll be right there.”
As I walk toward Payton, Mia’s giggle catches my ear. “She probably wants to kiss him goodbye.”
I let this slide because Payton’s the true object of my ire at the moment. He gives me a questioning look, to which I reply with a gesture indicating I need him to step aside from the group and meet me where I’m heading a few feet away and out of hearing.
He reaches me as I stop near the arena entrance. “Do you like my surprise?”
As I lift my arms to cross them, I think better of it and drop them to my sides. Too many eyes watching, especially Sophie. She’d read something into it for sure if I did that.
“What were you thinking?”
Payton shrugs. “I figured you needed a reason to be at the games, so I created one. Sophie and Mia jumped on the idea when I told them you’d never seen Savannah.”
“And how am I going to do my job if I have to gallivant around with these women to keep upyourruse?”
A flash of guilt passes over his face. “You said Del would be on location. Surely, she can monitor things and give you a little time off.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Payton. Del and I are a team of two. There is no back up togive us a break.”
“Why not? Am I not important enough?” He says this jokingly, but his curiosity is genuine.
I sigh, knowing where this is headed. “The risk factor isn’t that high?—”
“I knew it!” His words pounce on me as if I’m a puck.
And now I’m thinking in hockey metaphors? Good grief…
“Since there is no visible threat?—”
“No known threat,” I interject.
He gives a curt nod. “My point is, there’s no reason you can’t take a few hours to explore a fabulous city with two friends.”
Friends? I have friends now? “Says you.”
“Yes, I say so. Savannah is known for its beautiful architecture and historic landmarks. You’ll love it.”
A surge of emotion I’m not familiar pulses through me. Payton did this for no other reason than to make sure I didn’t miss out on seeing something beautiful. Makes me want to grab his face and kiss him to express how much his thoughtfulness touches me.
I shove that desire down and relent. “All right. I still have to clear it with Del, though.”
“Of course.” He looks toward the bus. “Seems we have an audience.”
I glance over my shoulder to find several concerned faces watching us, including Sophie. “They probably think we’re arguing. Especially Sophie.”
His gaze slides to me. “Why?”
“She saw my stuff in the second bedroom the night everyone crashed our—your dinner, so I told her I was trying not to disturb you while you slept.”
He chuckles at my corrections. “Did she buy it?”
“I thought so, but now I’m not so sure.”
Payton brushes my hair back from my face and tucks it behind my ear, sending a shock through my body. His hand is so warm and right there near my cheek. The urge to press mycheek against his palm almost overwhelms me as the memory of that kiss crashes in. Anytime I think about it, it’s like I’m there all over again.
