TJ jumps up from his seat. “I’ll help you clean up, Poe.”
“Let’s wash the brushes in the laundry room sink.” Poe takes his cue from TJ, and all of a sudden, the guys are like a cleaning tornado. And then we’re alone.
“I should probably get going,” Rose says, her eyes on me.
“Sure. Okay. Yeah.” I’m stumbling over myself like a man walking around in the middle of the night.
She lets me lead her to the door. I rest my hand on her back and keep it steady, even though the feel of the curve of her hip is enough to make me want to pull her fully into my arms. It’s at once familiar and new, and all I want to do is hold her.
I help her into her coat in the foyer, and she bobs her chin in the direction of the dining room. “Your friends are great. You’re lucky to have each other.”
Don’t I know it. The very camaraderie I was always missing in Penwick, when I had everything being handed to me, I found in the middle of Wisconsin, working my tail off. Go figure.
I peer over my shoulder to see the four of them peeking around the corner. They’re like four oversized members of the neighborhood watch. I shoo them away.
Rose chuckles. “Good luck on Sunday, guys,” she calls.
I turn back to her. “You’ll be at the game, right?”
“I’ll be there.” She grimaces. “Actually, so will my whole family.”
My eyebrows fly up. “Your sisters?”
“And Mack and Collin, yep.”
“I’ll do my best to put on a good show.” I wink.
“You always do.” Her response is so immediate I think it surprises even her. She blushes furiously. “I mean, I’m sure you do.”
“Rose Kasper, have you been following my career?” I cross my arms.
She crosses hers right back. “No comment.”
I grin. “If you want to bring your family down to the players’ entrance after the game, I can show them around.”
Rose’s eyes widen. “You’d do that?”
When will this woman realize there isn’t really anything I wouldn’t do for her?
“It’s not a huge deal. Besides, Ned loves getting footage of us being interactive with the fans.”
“A win-win, then.” Rose shifts her weight between her legs. “Hey, uh, will Duke be at the game?”
“I think so. Why?”
She blinks before meeting my gaze again. “It might be nice to get his perspective for the article—if that’s okay with you,” she adds. “You guys were close as kids. He’d be a good Penwick source, right?”
“Sure. Duke loves the spotlight. He’ll be all for it. Bring your family around, and you and Duke can talk then.”
“Great. It’s a date. I mean”—Rose blanches—“nota date with Duke. Or you. It’s a plan. A good plan.” She steps back. “See you Sunday.”
She’s adorable when she’s frazzled. And thank goodness I’m not the only one who’s off my game.
“Bye, Rosie.” I close the door behind her and turn around.
Del, TJ, Poe, and Kennedy are standing side by side, like a wall of muscle, with their arms crossed and serious expressions on their faces.
“Who died?” I quip.
