Love Me Again
Page 28
Her lips quirked. "And aren't you happy to have me here?"
"Actually, I am. And now we've both had huge changes in our lives. Who would have thought this kind of major shit would go down for both of us? You were going to get your PhD and I thought I'd end up in Cleveland or maybe in LA, but not here in San Francisco, my dad's stomping ground. Instead, you've got a startup sports management company, and I'm taking over as the Sabers quarterback now that my dad has retired."
She clutched her glass tightly, feeling the cloud of anxiety rain down over her. Which was why she'd asked Nathan to have lunch with her. His charm and humor had always been a distraction for her, and oh how she needed it today. "Big changes for both of us, for sure. How is your dad? Is he okay with the decision he made to retire?"
"He seems fine with it. The Sabers won the championship last year, and he had the knee issue that plagued him at the tail end of the season. He's thirty-seven, so he felt like it was the right time for him to step away."
"And you don't think he did that for you, to give you a chance to play?"
"I asked him that--more than once. He said no. Knowing my dad, he'd never walk away from football if he wasn't ready. He loves the game too much. I just have to take him at his word."
Mia nodded. "Since I have three brothers who play football, I believe that. You should believe him, too."
She knew Nathan had been worried when his dad announced his retirement at the end of last season. She also knew it added some pressure for Nathan, because he'd take over as starting quarterback this season for the Sabers. He'd had all last season to learn from his dad, but succeeding someone as high profile as Mick Riley wasn't going to be easy. Plus, Mick was his dad. Big shoes to fill.
Now she was doubly happy she'd made the decision to launch her company here in San Francisco. Besides being a prime location for her, she and Nathan had always been close in college. Despite their one night together--definitely a mistake--they'd remained friends.
"How's your company coming along?" Nathan asked.
"Just getting things rolling. I told you Monique Parker came on board as my executive manager, didn't I?"
He grinned. "Yeah. She'll make sure nothing falls through the cracks."
"I know. She's incredibly organized, even more than me."
"If that's possible. I've never known anyone as anal as you."
"Hey, I'm good at everything I do."
He waggled his brows at her. "Don't I know it."
She laughed. "We promised we wouldn't bring up that mistaken, drunken night ever again."
"No, you made me promise it wouldn't happen again. I thought sex with you was amazing."
Her body heated at his words. "It was amazing. But we're friends, Nathan."
"And friends can't have sex?"
"I don't know. Do you have sex with your friends?"
He cocked his head to the side. "You know what I mean, Mia."
"I do. But we agreed that after that night it wouldn't happen again."
"You made me agree. I wanted to keep you in bed with me the next day."
She laughed. "We were drunk. It was a mistake. And I'd much rather have you as a friend than a lover."
"Oh, so now you're implying the sex wasn't good enough?" He leaned over and grasped her hand, the contact instantly electrifying. "Because if that's the case, I'm calling you out for faulty drunken memory loss. If I recall, you came three times that night."
At least he whispered that last part. And if he kept talking that way, she was going to have an orgasm in her chair. So much for pushing those memories aside. She snatched her hand away. "That is not what I meant and you know it."
"Fine. We're friends."
"You need me as your friend, Nathan. Who will get you past all your training camp anxiety?"
He frowned. "Who says I have training camp anxiety?"
She twirled the stirrer around in her tea glass. "Don't you?"
He leaned back in his chair again. "Maybe. Don't you have a little anxiety too, miss Big Shot Businesswoman who decided to open a sports management company?"
"Yes, I have anxiety. Like you would not believe. Which is why I'm glad we're friends. I need you, Nathan. As my friend."
He glared at her. "Shit. Fine. You know I'm always going to be here for you."
He really had no idea how much his friendship and counsel meant to her. "Good. Now let's order lunch, because I have to get back to work."
"You're a tough woman, Mia Cassidy."
"But I'm also your best friend, Nathan Riley. And don't ever forget it."
These next few months were going to be critical--for both of them. They were going to need each other now more than ever.
As friends. And nothing more.
About the Author
Jaci Burton is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Hope Novels, including Don't Let Go, Make Me Stay, Love After All, Hope Burns, Hope Ignites, and Hope Flames, and the Play-by-Play series, including Rules of Contact, All Wound Up, Quarterback Draw, Straddling the Line, and more. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dogs. A lover of sports, Jaci can often tell what season it is by what sport is being played. She watches entirely too much television, which she considers "book research." When she isn't on deadline, Jaci can be found at her local casino, trying to become a millionaire (so far, no luck). She's a total romantic and loves a story with a happily ever after, which you'll find in all her books. You can learn more about Jaci on her website at jaciburton.com.
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