Page 65 of Penalty Kick

“Well played.” He held out his fist, and Talia bumped it.

“Where’s Aspen tonight?”

“Sleepover. Seriously, have I mentioned that I love summertime?”

“Now, we just need to find someone for you to have a sleepover with,” she retorted.

Seriously, who am I?

“Ha, ha. Those went out the window when I got custody of Aspen. Maybe someday, but right now, she’s the only woman my life needs.”

Talia's heart squeezed. She loved how devoted Axel was to his little sister and how seriously he took the parenting role. From the little he had told her, it had turned his world upside down, forcing him to have to restructure his PhD program. He was amazing at juggling it all, offering up suggestions to Talia on how to manage it all when she started school full-time in the fall. He was just one more person she was happy to have as a friend here in Atlanta.

A moment later, Delaney appeared, making her way to the bar. The tall, athletic-looking blonde slipped into the chair Talia had reserved, looking overwhelmed by the crowd that had appeared in the last few minutes. It was just as busy as Heather expected, and the game hadn’t even started.

At least it’ll be a good tip night…

“Just one seat? What about you?” Delaney asked.

“Oh, I’m half working,” Talia replied.

“Half?”

“Normally for an away game night we have two bartenders on, one who handles the actual bar while the other fills drinks for the restaurant. But tonight we had a bachelor party come in, so there is a little more going on than usual."

“A bachelor party? Don’t you mean bachelorette?”

“Nope, bachelor party. Joint one at that,” Talia said, trying to hold back her laughter. She could still hear the bickering between Link and Devlin, making her wonder if they had settled things. “A gentleman and his partner are both here, celebrating their last night of ‘freedom’ by ogling Devlin, our head waiter."

“That’s so cool.”

“Devlin is trying to convince Link to give them a strip tease, but Link’s not having it.”

“Link?”

“Another one of the waiters. He’s a former professional dancer, so…” Talia trailed off, waggling her eyebrows.

“Ah. I don’t think I’ve met him. Or maybe I have. I don’t know. I’ve met so many people these last few weeks, my head is spinning. And unfortunately, no one wears name tags.”

Talia nodded, completely understanding how Delaney was feeling. It hadn’t been that long since she was the one sitting at this exact bar, the only two people she knew in Atlanta being Gunnar and Felicity. And saying she knew them was even a stretch at that point. More like “had met.”

“Totally get it. I’ve been there.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes,” Talia answered. “But, my story requires a drink. What can I get you?”

Delaney ordered a cider, listening to Talia as she launched into her tale. It felt weird to tell the story, since it was so familiar to everyone else she knew. Delaney listened intently though, soaking in every detail.

“That’s wild,” Delaney said when Talia finished.

Talia shrugged. “Enough about me and my dad. Tell me about you and Chance! The night of Dash’s party is kinda a blur, with the whole Liam and Avery drama, but I guess I thought you two were just friends. Or did I misread that?”

“That night, we were. We’ve been best friends since the first grade. We met on the playground when I ran into him not watching where I was going.”

Delaney continued, telling Talia all about how she and Chance had grown up together and had been each other’s person for many years, before one day discovering there was more to it. Talia felt like she was watching one of those sappy TV movies as she listened, enjoying every second of their love story. Delaney sounded so happy. As happy as Talia felt at just the thought of Dash.

“So, what’s up with you and Dash? You two looked pretty cozy at your parents’ reception.”