Page 34 of The Player

A half-truth, because the guy who wanted to date her happened to work alongside her. It could be convenient…if she lost her mind.

No, having Wade practically invite himself in sixty minutes ago reinforced she was doing the right thing in keeping things between them platonic. She didn’t want to let him into her life, into Cindy’s life, when there was no future.

While Cindy never talked about their folks abandoning them, it would’ve hurt. The last thing she needed was Cindy bonding with Wade only to have him head back to London.

She wouldn’t do that to herself—or Cindy.

‘I have a boyfriend.’

Liza smiled, having been alerted to Cindy’s latest crush via Shar. ‘You do?’

Cindy nodded. ‘Liam Hemsworth. He’s hot.’

‘Personally, I prefer Chris.’

‘No way.’ Cindy popped another choc chip in her mouth. ‘Though I guess that would work out well. They’re brothers, we’re sisters. Perfect.’

Liza laughed as she opened the oven door and popped the muffins inside. ‘Tell you what. You do another ten hamstring stretches and I’ll watch The Hunger Games with you again for the umpteenth time.’

‘Deal.’

As Cindy manoeuvred her wheelchair into the next room, Liza pondered her sister’s observation.

You should have a boyfriend.

While she didn’t need the complication, for a second she allowed herself to fantasise what it would be like having Wade fill the role.

Chapter Fifteen

Wade’s week had been progressing exceptionally well.

Danni had completed the first draft of Liza’s biography, the pre-orders were phenomenal, and he’d managed to sneak another dinner with Liza, albeit for business.

This time she’d driven herself so had avoided his plans for more than a goodnight kiss on her doorstep. He didn’t know whether to be peeved or glad she was so focused on her new job.

Considering he’d had his doubts about her when she secured this job, and her motivation behind it, he had to admit she’d impressed. Her dedication, her punctuality, and her fresh ideas had given him new perspective on an industry he’d thought he knew inside out. She was the consummate professional and almost made him feel guilty for constantly picturing her naked.

Almost.

They’d been too busy to catch up beyond snatched marketing meetings in the office and, for a guy who normally had his mind on the job twenty-four-seven, he’d found himself seriously distracted.

Those tight pencil skirts she wore were disruptive, despite their sedate colours and modest below-knee length. Those fitted jackets were the epitome of conservative fashionable chic. Those blouses of muted colours barely had a hint of cleavage. But whenever she entered his office he had an immediate flashback to the night he’d seen beneath the clothes and he’d be hard in an instant.

He dated occasionally in London, but no woman had affected his concentration like Liza. Ever.

When Danni had emailed him the first draft of her biography he’d sat up all night devouring it on his e-reader. His obsession with Liza should’ve been satisfied. Instead, the more he discovered about her, the more she piqued his curiosity.

She’d delivered exactly what he wanted in terms of a tell-all, a juicy tale highlighting behind-the-scenes gossip in the soccer and basketball worlds. She’d changed names to protect the innocent but he knew readers would devour the catfights and hookups and pick-ups, trying to figure out which real-life stars and WAGs inspired her stories.

This book would sell, but her lack of personal details disappointed. She’d glossed over her childhood and teenage years, focusing on the glamorous drama that kicked in when her high-school boyfriend hit the big time.

He should’ve been glad, because she’d provided the page-turning hot gossip that sold books. But he’d be lying if he didn’t admit to wanting to know more—a whole lot more—about the woman behind the fake tan and designer handbags.

If he had insight into what made her tick, he might understand her continued aloofness. Her lack of enthusiasm at pursuing anything beyond a one-night stand surprised him. Not from ego, but for the simple fact they still shared a spark. More than a spark, if the way she’d responded to his kiss seven days ago was any indication.

So why was she holding back?

He wasn’t after anything hot and heavy. He’d been upfront with her about exploring a relationship while he was in Melbourne so anything too deep and meaningful wouldn’t scare her off.

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