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“Should we get moving?” Dad asks, shoving his hands into his pants pockets and rocking back on his heels.
“Yup.” I give Britt a bit of side eye to gauge her reaction. “Want to meet at the bar and grill downtown?”
They nod before we all head toward the exit.
I keep my arm locked around Britt, steering her toward the double set of glass doors.
She leans close enough for her warm breath to ghost across my ear. “Just so you know, if I weren’t already divorcing you, this would definitely do the trick.”
20
BRITT
Well, hell.
This is not how I saw this night unfolding.
Now that I’m in his truck, I realize what a bad idea it was to leave my silver Audi in the arena parking lot and take one car. I’m trapped with these people until Colby decides to drop me off.
Ugh.
Someone needs to explain why I make the worst decisions when I’m around this guy.
I peek at him from beneath the fringe of my lashes.
Even though I’m reluctant to admit it, the answer is obvious.
The guy is stupid hot.
But still…
It’s not like I haven’t been around good-looking men before. I live in LA. It’s hot people central there. Everyone is either an actor, model, or singer trying to make it in Hollywood. And for the most part, they’re ridiculously health conscious and looking for ways to turn back the hands of time. Whether that’s with wheatgrass shots, plastic surgery, goat Pilates, or the newest weight loss drugs that have flooded the market.
After nearly a decade of living and working there, I should be immune to his physical attributes.
Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth.
He flicks a glance in my direction and catches me staring. “What?”
A sizzle of electricity zips across my skin.
That right there is exactly what the problem is.
This kind of all-encompassing attraction isn’t something I’ve experienced before.
Not even with Axel.
I keep telling myself that if I give it enough time, it’ll eventually dissipate.
I mean…it has to, right?
That, unfortunately, has not turned out to be the case. If anything, these feelings have only intensified since our first run-in at Slap Shotz.
“This was a terrible idea,” I blurt, unwilling to share my innermost thoughts with him. “There’s no reason for me to meet your parents. You and I aren’t actually together.”
“Did you forget that we’re married?”
I’ve been so intent on him that it’s almost a surprise when he slides his truck into a parking spot outside the restaurant.
“How could I when you’re constantly reminding me?”
It’s a legit question.
For a guy who’s been portrayed as being anti-monogamous, he’s warmed to the idea of marriage with a ridiculous amount of ease.
It doesn’t make the least bit of sense.
He flashes a slow smile. The one that makes his dimples pop and wink.
As if on cue, my panties flood with heat.
I narrow my eyes. “Stop that right now.”
The grin intensifies as he fights back his laughter and feigns innocence. “What? What did I do?”
I stab a finger in his direction. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”
This man is completely dangerous.
Not to mention, shameless.
He lays a hand over his heart as his expression turns sincere. “Can you really blame me for attempting to seduce my wife?”
“Please.” With a snort, I pop the handle and exit the vehicle.
What I need is some fresh air to clear my head.
I don’t get more than three steps before Colby pulls up alongside me. He throws his arm around my shoulders and hauls me close enough to feel the sculpted muscles that shift and bunch beneath his sweatshirt as the woodsy scent of his cologne slyly inundates my senses, making it impossible to think straight.
Is it bad that all I want to do is inhale a big breath of him?
And then hold it captive in my lungs?
Those thoughts come to a screeching halt when I glance at the scene unfolding in front of me and stumble. There are a handful of photographers snapping pics of Colby’s parents.
The sight is all it takes for icy cold tendrils of panic to wrap around my heart and squeeze until it becomes impossible to breathe. Even when we were in Vegas for the weekend, I didn’t feel this kind of panic and fear. Maybe that’s because Sin City is brimming with celebrities and famous people. You can’t swing a stick without hitting one.
It was easier to blend in with the raucous crowds.
Kind of like hiding in plain sight.
But here?
With the McNichols family?
Anyone with Colby will garner interest. It wouldn’t take that much digging to figure out who I really am.
His arm tightens around my shoulders as he shoots me a concerned look. “Is there a problem?”
It never occurred to me that paparazzi would be here snapping pictures. Maybe it should have. I don’t follow sports, but from everything I’ve heard, Gray McNichols is a big deal.
