What You Need(68)
“Such language.” He laughed. “And who is this lovely lady who is far too beautiful for the likes of you?”
Nolan Lund was as outrageously good looking as he was charming, which was why we’d nicknamed him “The Prince.”
I offered my hand. “I’m Lennox Greene, Mr. Lund.” I didn’t remind him we’d met before. Being overlooked as part of the furniture was part of the gig as a temp worker.
He scrutinized me. “You look familiar.”
“I work at LI.” Maybe he’d seen me dancing on the bar—not that I’d offer up the prompt.
“I take it you’re the one who accompanied Brady to Flurry last weekend?”
“Yes.”
“And? How did you like it?”
Brady and I exchanged a look and my cheeks flushed as I remembered the sexy, sensual way he had moved against me on the dance floor. “It was fun.”
When I looked up, Nolan had returned to his date—a skeletal redhead with a bored expression and Botoxed lips.
“Looks like you saved the best for last, bro.” A gorgeous blond man, with the physique and beard of a lumberjack, stepped into my personal space. “I’m Walker. The black sheep of the family.”
“Black sheep. Yeah, right,” Brady scoffed.
“I’m Lennox.” My face was starting to hurt from smiling so much. “Brady’s told me a little about you, so it’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Well, sweetheart, you were a complete surprise to me. I had no idea Brady was dating someone.” Walker’s eyes, a frostier blue than Brady’s, lit up. He sent Brady a You dog look. “That’s where he saw you. Dancing on the bar.”
“No, I’d met Lennox before that. At work,” he emphasized.
“Whatever. I’m glad to see you here with him. Can I get you something to drink?”
“We were making our way to the bar, so I’ll take care of her.”
Walker grinned. “I’ll just bet you will.”
Lord have mercy, he has the biggest dimples I’ve ever seen.
“Stop sighing over my damn brother,” Brady muttered.
“And I’m not even the hot one,” Walker said, keeping that dimpled grin in place.
“I know. I’ve already got the hot one.” I squeezed Brady’s hand.
Brady murmured, “That comment would so get you laid if we were—”
“Kickoff in three minutes,” Ward announced.
“Have a seat over there.” Brady pointed to a corner where none of his family sat. “What would you like to drink?”
“Just a Coke.”
“Really? Okay.” He paused. “What about food?”
“I’m good for now.”
I felt the watchful eyes as I slid onto a super comfy lounge chair.
I’d never been much of a football fan, but I knew enough about it to keep my mouth shut and listen to those who did know what every play meant.
And this crowd was serious about football—as if the dozen LUND jerseys weren’t hint enough.
When Brady didn’t sit next to me, I turned to see him deep in conversation with his dad. By the way they were intently watching the field, I could tell they were discussing the game.
I took a second to check my phone since I hadn’t bothered up in the North Woods. A missed call from Maxie. A text from Kiley to let me know she’d be back earlier tonight than she’d planned.
“Bored already?” Brady whispered in my ear.
“No. I thought maybe you’d ditched me.”
“I just got the lowdown from my dad on why Ford isn’t playing. That means Jensen will definitely get field time.”
Brady spoke of these guys as if they were friends. I supposed in a way they were, since they were his brother’s friends.
“It’s a slim crowd here today.”
“Is this all of your family?”
“No, my cousin Jaxson is a hockey player with the Chicago Blackhawks, so it’s a travel day for him. My cousin Ash isn’t here yet because he’s helping his little sister Dallas. She won’t be here since apparently she fell off the pyramid and screwed up her knee yesterday.”
“Your cousin was in Egypt?”
He laughed. “No. She’s a U of M cheerleader. Their pyramid crashed during the halftime show and she was on the top.”
“Oh. Now I feel stupid about that too.”
He grabbed my chin and gently forced me to look at him. “Don’t ever say that.” He kissed me hard. “Now watch the game.”
I tried to focus. But my body seemed hyperaware of every movement Brady made. Of every deep grumble of disapproval. Of the ease with which football terms flew from his mouth.