Shelby laughed as she accepted their bear hugs and then she introduced them all. The sheer size of the men had Emily’s eyes popping.
Nick shook their hands, trying not to look like a little kid meeting Santa for the first time. “Pleasure to meet you guys.”
And when he spotted the “boring grub,” he stopped dead in his tracks. “I expected hot dogs and burgers. Nothing like this.” His mouth watered as he eyed the Kobe steak, crab cakes, pasta, and huge baked potatoes with all the fixings. And of course, the obligatory brats, hotdogs, and hamburgers.
Shelby handed him a china plate. “Welcome to Uncle Jack’s world. Hurry and load up, the game starts in a half hour.” Then she caught one of the passing waiters and asked him to bring three cups of Dots for dessert.
***
Shelby stole a quick glance at Nick. His plate was empty. Again. He’d gone back three times for more. Seems he was having a good time filling that perfect six-pack-abs belly.
She’d never forget the look on his face when he’d seen her get into the limo. It was awesome, but the suspicious glances he’d been sending her way told her he still didn’t think she was a real fan.
Whatever. Better to keep him guessing. More fun that way.
It was almost kick-off so they moved to the front seats to watch the game while they ate dessert. She called her friend Michael, the mayor’s son, over. “Look what we’ve got, Mikey. Dots!” She handed her cup to him, saving room for some nachos later.
“Thanks, Shelby. Love you!” Michael had Down syndrome and was the sweetest man she’d ever met. He dug in as he went back to sit with his parents.
After the game had started, she and Nick were captivated, but Emily didn’t seem to be as interested. Shelby leaned close to Emily and whispered, “Mikey gets bored during the game sometimes, so he always brings a bag of toys. I’m sure he’d share with you.”
Emily frowned. “But he’s a grown-up. He’s probably got boring toys.”
“Mikey’s a special grown-up. While his body gets older, he still likes the same things kids do. He’s a really sweet man.”
Emily ate a few bites of her treat as she considered. “Sort of like Peter Pan, but real?”
“Sort of.” She gave Emily a hug. Em was an adorable kid who made Shelby want a little Emily of her own. “You should go play with him when you’re done.”
Em nodded while stuffing Dots in her mouth. “’Kay.”
Nick sat on the edge of his seat, a beer in his hand, with a mile-wide grin. She’d been careful to keep her distance, not looking for a repeat of what happened on her living room floor. She was focusing on Greg, who’d be home in a few days. But Nick’s joy was contagious. “Having a good time?”
“Nah. It’s been almost as bad as that charity thing the other night.” He leaned back and slipped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Then he moved his mouth to her ear and whispered, “You look even hotter in that jersey than you did in the red dress.”
Her stomach did that clenching thing again. “Personally, I’m going with the tux on you. That’s some lame excuse for fan wear you’re rocking.”
“You’d put any fan to shame with your gear.” As he watched the game, he slid his wrist to the back of her padded seat, and his fingers gently massaged her neck.
She barely resisted the urge to purr.
As the quarterback let loose of the ball, Nick’s hand stilled. After the play was over, his fingers moved in small circles again. “I can’t believe you know so many ex-players. And you’re on a first name basis with the mayor and his family? How do I get myself invited for the next home game?”
She should lean away from his soft touch, but it was hypnotic. She’d missed the simple pleasure of a gentle caress. But he was probably just doing that to suck up to her and get invited back. “Have I mentioned how much I like nachos with my beer?”
He grinned as he plucked her empty beer cup from her hand. “How about I start by getting you a refill?”
“Good plan.” When he left, she turned her attention back to the game. What was she doing? Letting him touch her like that? She didn’t even like him. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, she didn’t dislike him. He just bugged the heck out of her sometimes. Most of the time. But then there were those rare moments . . . no. It was just hormones. Or pheromones? She’d have to look that up. Nick was the best-looking man she’d ever known and it clouded her thinking. She should go join her buddies and forget about him.
Em was happy playing with Mikey so she crossed the suite to talk to her gigantic pals.