Page 16 of Just for the Plot

“I thought it was impressive that you could hit a baseball that far. Itkind of boggles my mind knowing that you’re not the same boy I first met so many years ago.”

He tugs on the back of his neck, his bicep flexing against his shirt. “Yeah, not so much.”

My cheeks oddly heat from the sight of it.

Which reminds me…

“So, that guy on your team…”

“What guy? There are quite a few of us.”

“I want to say his name is Nolan,” I hedge.

“Nolan Hart?” Bennett asks, with a bit of a pull in his brow. “What about him?”

I trace my finger over the glass of his tabletop and ask, “Is he single?”

Bennett’s brow grows even tighter. “Nolan? You’re interested in Nolan?”

I casually shrug. “I don’t know, maybe. Is that weird for you? Me asking about one of your teammates? Even if it’s just for one night, I think we could have a good time, and Lord knows I need a good time. Plus, he’s hot.”

Bennett moves his hand over his jaw. “Yeah, he’s dating someone.”

“Ugh.” I crumple up my napkin and then toss it to the center of the table. “Figures. Might have been weird anyway, dating one of your teammates.”

“Yeah…probably.”

“Well, if he ever does become available, let me know.” I stand and take a sip of my drink. “I’d love to get to know him. This girl is starting a new chapter in her life, and I’m bound and determined to get out there and meet people. Who knows, maybe the right guy is somewhere in the city looking for a slightly bookish type who doesn’t have the best filter. Could be a perfect match.” I offer him a wink and then take off toward the bathroom to get ready for bed.

CHAPTER 4

BENNETT

“Did you see that? Thegiraffe took the lettuce from my hand with its tongue. Simply magnificent,” OC says as he marvels at the giraffes in front of him, putting on a show for the camera.

“Cut, that’s great. Thank you,” the director says. “That should be good for today.”

“You don’t want to do that one scene I suggested?” OC asks, hope in his eyes.

“Um, that’s okay.” The director nods at OC. “Maybe next time.”

OC winks at the director. “I’m holding you to that.” Then he walks over to me and sighs. “Damn it.”

“What was the scene you wanted to do?”

OC turns to me and says, “I had a vision. It was supposed to be with me and Graydon, but since he bounced early from these PR promos, I was going to suggest you.”

“Yeah, and what did you suggest?” I ask, knowing damn well whatever he’s about to say, Graydon never would have participated.

This trio of ours, I’d describe it as eclectic. We have the grumpy, broody asshole football player who’s struggling with his feelings for a certain flamingo zookeeper. OC, who plays the fool, can be intensely annoying but also has a huge heart. And then me, who is smack dab in the middle of those two personalities. I can be grumpy, but not like Graydon, who snorts steam when he’s angry. And I can get on board withOC’s antics, but not to the extent where I’m poking the bear—that is Graydon—that should never be poked.

“My thought was we reenact the scene fromGhostwith Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, where he holds her from behind and teaches her how to work the clay, but instead of clay, it’s me helping you feed the giraffes while whispering into your ear.”

Given the joy in his expression as he tells me his idea, I almost feel bad telling him he’s an idiot, but that doesn’t stop me.

“You’re an idiot.”

His expression falls. “You know, I’d expect that kind of response from Graydon, but not from you.”