Page 38 of Playing for Keeps

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I was thankful Frankie’s attention was on Aaron and his extended hand and not me.

“Frankie Sacrone,” the woman stated, her tone both brusque and curious at the same time.

“No shit?” Aaron glanced at me before returning his gaze to her. “I’m a huge fan.”

Frankie chuckled, and my hand went to my necklace as she tucked one of those loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. “That’s usually something people say to my fiancé, not me.”

“No, ma’am. I mean, I am a fan of Corey’s. But you. What you did for the team last year before everything went down? Your changes in the marketing of the team are still being felt, and I have to admit,” he said, raising his hand to his mouth as if he was telling her a secret, “I may have stolen some of your ideas to implement in my company.”

“I knew it!” Kelly yelled, throwing her hands up before pointing at Aaron. “I knew you didn’t come up with that shit on your own.”

“Shut it, O’Connor,” Aaron said, pointing back. “I’m still your boss, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Kelly grinned. “That’s only at work. Out in the real world? You’re just a pain in my ass.”

“I’ll give you a pain in your ass.”

Kelly laughed, then taunted back, “Doubt your girlfriend would think too highly of that!”

Jesus.

Girlfriend?

My face felt like it was on fire and all I wanted to do was run away. Aaron put a stop to that thought before I had a chance, tugging me to his side in a show of possession I wasn’t sure what to make of.

He’d never so much as kissed me, and now he was holding me to his side like he owned me.

My eyes shot to Frankie as Aaron and Kelly continued to bicker and I found her watching me, those hazel eyes of hers dissecting my every move.

“Okay, that’s enough, you two,” I finally cut in, giving Aaron a little push. Trying to put a little space between my overheated body and his. “You keep this up and I won’t go out with you tonight.”

“Don’t say that, drowned rat.” Aaron pinched my chin between his fingers, pulling my face upward, the man trailing his eyes over my face, lingering on my lips before licking his own. “You stay in and I’m staying with you. And you know I like watching movies here and all, but the sleeping accommodations leave something to be desired.”

“Bleh!” Kelly shouted, grabbing our lone throw pillow from the couch and tossing it at my head. “You two make me sick.”

“Jealous much, O’Connor?”

“In your dreams, Parker.”

“Well then,” Frankie said, the smile on her face looking more like a grimace as she rubbed at the back of her neck. “I should probably get going.”

“I’m sorry,” I told her, stepping closer to her to get away from the chaos swirling in the center of the room. “We didn’t get finished.”

“No, it’s okay.” Frankie reached out and gave me a hug. “There’s not much left, just the stamps to throw on. It won’t take long and it’s getting late. I’m supposed to meet... my cousin for drinks.”

I was about to tell her to say hi to Vivian and Mitch, but then swallowed the words down before wrapping my arms around myself. Because she’d already told us Viv and Mitch were out of town.

Which meant she was seeing Vinny.

“Besides,” Frankie rushed on as she bent to grab a stack of envelopes and stuff them in her tote, “you already did so much. I’m so grateful to both of you.”

Kelly reached for the charcuterie board. “Do you want me to pack this up?”

“No, no, that’s okay.” Frankie’s eyes flashed to mine before she lowered her head, continuing to pack up. “You two go ahead and keep the rest. It’s the least I can do for all your help.”

“Sweet! Thanks!”

Aaron snagged a cracker from the tray as Kelly carried it to the kitchen, and my friend smacked his hand, giving him a scowl. I helped Frankie pack everything else into her totes, then carried one to the door.