And they’re all baby-talking to Poppy and doing that thing where they touch my arm or chest, and since I have my daughter in my lap, I can’t move away from them.
That’s when I see her.
Gabby walks slowly toward me, her face stoic. She glances at the women surrounding me, and her shoulders go stiff.
Although it’s been a few days since we had breakfast, we text often, but this is the first time we’ve seen each other.
I take stock of how this looks. If the roles were reversed, I would not be thrilled to see her surrounded by men.
Because I don’t want to give her a reason to doubt my intentions, I jump up, dislodging everyone around me, and stalk toward her with Poppy on my hip.
“Hey,” I say. Gabby doesn’t have a chance to respond before I tangle my hand in her hair and pull her mouth to mine. Thankfully, she opens right up and sighs when I kiss her long and deep.
I’m not into PDA, but I think I can live with this.
Until Poppy smacks our faces with sticky hands.
I chuckle and end it with a few quick pecks. Lowering my voice, I whisper, “Can you make everyone leave me alone? I swear I came here for a quiet meal and some time with Poppy.”
She glances around, her eyes full of humor when she lays her palm on my chest.
See, nowthishand I welcome.
“Guess the fans want some time with their football hero.”
I roll my eyes, and she laughs. “Smartass.”
We make it back to my table, which is now blissfully empty, and I situate the baby in her stroller.
Gabby rearranges her glasses. “At some point you’re going to have to stop cursing or Poppy is going to get in trouble for dropping f-bombs in preschool.”
“Shit, you’re right.”
Shaking her head, she kisses my cheek. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
I give her my best Colgate-worthy grin. “I am, aren’t I?”
Placing her whole hand on my face, she playfully shoves me away, but I grab her around the waist and pull her to me. When we’re nose to nose, she’s out of breath, her chest heaving against mine.
“Wanna come over and study later?” I swore I was going to limit the time I spent with her this week so I didn’t get distracted, but damn, I really want to see her tonight. She has her job at Archer this afternoon, and I have practice, but running into her like this is only making me miss her more.
She gives me a gorgeous smile. “It’s a date.”
For once, that statement doesn’t make me want to run in the other direction.
42
GABBY
My heels clickacross the tile floor as I make my way to Mrs. Nolan’s freshman classroom. I’m still smiling from running into Rider and Poppy at the student union.
And those kisses.
God, I love his kisses.
When I poke my head in, Mrs. Nolan is already waiting by the door. “Thank you so much! My sub should be here in a few minutes, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long.”
Her son is sick, and she has to pick him up from his elementary school. Since I’m not credentialed yet, I can’t sub, but I can sit with her class until one shows up.
