“Mallory?”
I hold my breath. Maybe if I’m very still and quiet, he’ll go away.
“You know I can see you, right?”
I poke my head out from around the bush slowly to find Holland squinting at me. “Uh, hey.”
“Why did you throw yourself into the shrubbery? What are you doing out here?” His eyes widen, and then the confusion on his face melts into a cocky grin. “Were you spying on me? Can’t get enough, huh?”
I throw my shoulders back. “I was simply walking home from the café. I stopped there after practice—“
“Dodging production’s rules, you little minx.”
“And,” I continue, ignoring him, “when I was walking home, I thought I saw a bunny go back here, so I followed it.”
“You dove into the bush after a bunny?”
I step out from the undergrowth of the hedge. “Oh, yeah. Big animal guy—or gal. That’s me.”
Holland’s eyes dance. I can tell he wants to call my bluff, but he’s not, because he’s enjoying this far too much. The way hisbrown eyes are glittering as he stares me down makes my skin feel hot and tight. But I refuse to cower in front of him. “You realize there are too many of them to count around here. They literally multiply. That’s kind of their whole schtick.”
“I wanted to get a closer look!” Why am I getting defensive over a non-existent bunny?
“Noted.” He’s fighting a smile, and I hate to admit it, but he definitely won this round. I’m acting like a fool. “I’m going to leave you to it, then. I’m on my coach’s orders to rest this afternoon ahead of my date tonight.”
“You’re actually going to listen to your coach?” I feign surprise. “Color me shocked.”
“I always listen to my coach,” he says solemnly. “Taking orders from her is one of my favorite pastimes.”
I roll my eyes.
“Even when she’s demanding and screechy.”
“I am never screechy.” The retort jumps from my lips without hesitation.
Holland smirks at me, and I play back my tone. Okay…he has a point.
“Well,” I huff. “Excuse me for taking myclient’scareer seriously.”
“You’re excused,” he says with a flick of his wrist. I ball up my fists at my sides, and he glances at them before he locks eyes with me again. His gaze is full of mischief. “Like I said, I’ll take orders from you anytime, anyplace.” Holland leans in. “You want to order me to kiss you again?”
I suck in a breath. “I told you, that was a one-time exercise to prove there is nothing going on here. I’m your coach. You’re my player. You’re paying me. That’s why I’m here.”
“So you’ve said.” Holland leans back and slings his hands in his pockets.
“I couldn’t help but notice you had another date.” I motion to Candace’s house.
“Jealous?” he asks without missing a beat.
Darn him and his uncanny ability to be at ease.
“Nope. Just curious. Do you often hang out with older women?”
“Depends. How old are you again?”
I scowl at him. “Quit deflecting. What’s your deal with Candace Patchcab?”
His eyebrows fly up. “How do you know who she is?”
