“Oh. I get it. You have about as much interest in football as I do in fabric.”
“See? I knew you were smart.”
“But you like hockey.”
“I do like hockey. I also like baseball.”
“But not football.”
She shrugged. “Never got into the sport much.”
He followed her as she wound her way through the rooms.
“And obviously, you like auto racing.”
“Obviously.”
“Do you ever go and watch Gray race?”
“Yes, when I can get away from work. I also go to watch baseball games. And of course, hockey games.”
“But again, not football?”
“No.”
“I’m taking you to a game.”
She paused to look up at him. “Totally not necessary.”
“I feel it’s my duty to educate you. You don’t know what you’re missing. I’ll get us play-off tickets. You can spare a few hours to go to the game. You can’t work twenty-four hours a day.”
“Can’t I?” He was right, of course, but she was enjoying bantering with him.
“You probably would. But you shouldn’t.”
“What shouldn’t my daughter be doing?”
Carolina cringed when her mother came up beside her.
“I’m trying to educate your daughter about the wonders of football, Mrs. Preston. It turns out she’s not a fan.”
Her mother looked at her. “You’re not? How did I not know this?”
“I don’t know, Mom. Surely this doesn’t surprise you.”
“I thought you liked all sports.”
“Correction. I like a lot of sports. I’ve just never gotten into football.”
“And I told her I could take her to see a New York play-off game. She’s trying to tell me she has to work.”
Mrs. Preston shook her head. “She’s always working. Too hard, unfortunately. Drag her away from work for a few hours and make her go breathe in some fresh air, Drew.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Oh, there’s Felicia. I haven’t had a minute to talk to her yet tonight. Please excuse me.”
After Carolina’s mother walked away, she turned to Drew. “You planned that.”
Drew gave her a look. “You think I secretly met with your mother and concocted a plan with her to take you to a football game?”
“Okay, maybe not. But it sure was convenient.”
“It was, wasn’t it?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to a football game. I don’t like football.”
“Because you’ve never been to a game. Trust me, once you’re there, you’ll love it.”
“I don’t like being told what to do.”
“Then I’ll call you up and ask you out. You’ll say yes, and we’ll go to a football game.”