Page 63 of Made Better Together

The elegant line of her neck as she tilts her head, listening to Grace.

Eight minutes of cataloging Eden, unabashedly. I know because when I look up at the digital clock on the wall, I catch the time.

This is why I can’t hang out with her as “friends.”

“We’ve also gone through the emails proposing new arrangements.” Grace turns to me. “Connor, do you want to review our thoughts on those?”

“Uh…sure.” I stumble as if Grace and I hadn’t planned my role earlier today. She looks at me, confused, but I ignore it.

“This second sheet outlines the terms, where they’ve shared them already, and some initial pros and cons.”

I slide the paper over, and she reaches to pull it toward her. For a beat, our fingers are only half an inch apart, and I find a new thing to hyperfocus on.

If only I could touch her. Would she react? Like she did that one night?

Her eyes go big as if she knows what I’m thinking. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m staring at her hand and holding the paper still. Then she pulls on the paper a little harder, and I snap out of it.

“Thanks. So this column is all the pros?”

I get my act together enough to explain all our findings. Praying Grace hasn’t noticed anything odd in my behavior.

Even if she has, after the initial information is confirmed, she steps back in to advance the meeting. “We’ll pursue the interview requests too, if you’d like, and explore what would be feasible from a scheduling perspective. I’ve worked with the Tolliver press office a bit, so I can run everything by them.”

“Yes, that would be amazing. I don’t mind doing the interviews at all, but to not have to coordinate and plan everything will be incredible.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Grace responds with a huge smile.

“I’m grateful.”

My sister’s shoulders ease a fraction, the meeting functionally over. But I’m not surprised when she switches to light personal topics before Eden leaves. Making connections beyond business is her strength.

“How’s your dad enjoying coaching so far?”

“He’s loving it, I think? Maybe a little homesick for the field. Jeremy hasn’t missed yet in a game, so he can’t complain too much.”

“Yeah, it’s got to be hard. I can’t imagine what retirement will be like for our brothers or Johnson.” Grace flashes a look at me.

I don’t filter my answer. “They’ll be complete pains in our asses.”

Grace laughs. “It’s many years away, though. We need to win a Super Bowl first.”

Eden speaks up next. “For sure.” She looks back and forth at us. “Do you go to all the home games? I’m coming to the one next week.”

Wait, does she want to hang out? At a game? It’s hard to interpret that look.

“Oh awesome.” Grace’s face lights up. “You can come and sit in Joh—our suite, if you want? I keep forgetting it’s mine now too.”

“I won’t be alone? My stepmom and stepsister will be there. Nat is eight, fair warning.”

“Oh, that’s okay. The more the merrier. We always have Johnson’s niece and nephew there too.”

“Yes, Nat played with…is it Emma?”

Grace nods. “Emma was at the wedding.”

“Perfect. She’ll love that.” Eden’s eyes flick in my direction. “Will you be there, Connor?”

I swallow, making a split second decision. “I will.”