Page 33 of Playing for Love

She laughed, a little trill of nerves that died out and left her staring. Left me mesmerized looking into her eyes, reading the emotions there. I wasn’t mistaken, but I needed her to admit it, admit she still had that crush on me. That maybe it was more than a crush.

That maybe it was the same way I felt about her.

Her eyes darted past me, a nervous smile on her lips as she nodded. I knew it was Denise.

“Hey babe,” she said, coming up behind me putting an arm on my shoulder then hanging on my arm, hugging against me in her signature proprietary move. As if she knew, as if she was staking her claim, sending Mia a message. And me too.

“Where’s the coffee?” I said. Not feeling as casual as I sounded. Not giving a shit about the coffee.

“About that.” She made an apologetic face and let go of my arm. “My errand was interrupted by a call from work.” She waved a hand. “Long story short, I need to get on the next flight back to Atlanta.”

Surprise had my heart stammering. I wasn’t sure how I felt about her leaving, but I knew I should be disappointed. I tensed up.

“You’re leaving now?”

“I’m sorry, hon. Really I am.” She went onto her toes and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. My response was automatic and immediate, my arms going around her, my mouth pressing to hers, my cock twitching the way it always did. It felt funny kissing Denise right there in front of Mia. I sensed her watching. When Denise broke off the kiss and backed up a step, I noticed Mia watching, studying Denise as if she were looking for something.

“Mia,” Denise said, giving her a hug. “We hardly got to spend any time together, but I had fun at the game with you. Next time.” She released her friend then glanced between us, wearing an expression I wasn’t sure how to read, which was alarming in itself. Guilt clouded my judgment, made it hard for me to be objective.

She said, “Besides, you two will be busy with Tate. Take good care of him. Give him my well wishes.” She started backing away and I followed.

“That was fast,” I said, falling into step with an arm around her.

“I made a reservation over the phone and I need to get to the airport like yesterday. I’m really so sorry, babe.” We walked back through the emergency room lobby all the way to the door and I saw a taxi outside waiting. She was nothing if not efficient.

“What’s your big emergency?” I wasn’t surprised to see her hesitate, then firm her chin and look up at me.

“I have a trip to the West Coast that just got moved up. It’s important.”

“Work related?” I was being sarcastic and surly, but I held onto her, not letting her pull away just yet, testing her resolve, her story. Her loyalty.

“Don’t be an ass. You know it is. I’m working hard and my job has demands. Just like yours.” She pulled free from me and I let her go, but I leaned in to brush one more kiss against her lips. She sighed and caressed my face as she backed away another step. “See you in two weeks, hon. Unless you can make it to Atlanta before then.” She waved over her shoulder and ran for the door and the waiting cab.

A strange mix of emotions coiled through me. At least some of it was disappointment, but there was some resignation and even relief in there too. Shoving it all aside, I went back to where I’d left Mia in the emergency operating room waiting area.

But when I got back, Mia was nowhere to be found, having disappeared behind the Authorized Personnel Only doors, more than likely. I took a seat in the small area outside the operating room to wait it out, needing to talk to her again. Needing to talk to Tate. To console him. To apologize.

Shit. I’d fucked this up big time. I should never have fixed Mia up with him, a teammate, a friend. I had no business messing around in his love life or hers. Not when I wanted her so badly for myself even if I didn’t act on it. This was messed up.

Pulling the baseball cap over my eyes, I closed them and leaned my head back against the chair. I knew I’d be left alone for the duration as people came and went, too distraught to give a fuck who I was.

As soon as a hand touched my shoulder sometime later, I knew it was Mia and I opened my eyes to take her in.