Page 30 of Offsides Attraction

“Not usually. There are very few people who I find interesting enough to want to dive deeper.”

“Everyone’s interesting, but not everyone flaunts it. Sometimes you need to dig.”

“I’m not good with a shovel.”

“Lucky for you I am.” She sipped her drink and Bash watched her eyes skate around the room. “See that man on crutches? I’d ask what happened and what’s next in his recovery.”

Bash snorted. The last thing he wanted was to hear a sob story. What was the point in listening to someone’s problems if you couldn’t solve them? The man needed a doctor, not a sympathetic ear.

“And that lady over there? The one in the green dress rubbing her stomach? I’d ask when the baby was due and if she had any names picked out.”

“But what if she isn’t pregnant and only has an itchy belly? Now I’ve insulted her.”

“Fair point. You could always ask if this is her first exhibit opening. The important thing is that you show an interest in them. That’s how you connect.” She touched his arm and looked at him. Penny had so much earnest belief in him on her face he wanted to laugh. He’d never have the skills she did. “And you can always fall back on the weather or the team as conversation starters.”

“Or Harper’s latest rant against the team.” Her opinion piece in yesterday’s newspaper and its online version had been brutal. Bash and Lucas had run damage control to remind everyone with the Tetons that Harper’s opinions were not Cal’s, and they couldn’t hold him accountable for his sister’s delusions.

“People just want to be acknowledged, Bash. Let them know you see them.” Penny’s words sliced through him.

How could he see someone when he’d spent his whole life trying to get the two people who’d brought him into the world to see him? His misspent youth was one mishap after another, trying to get their attention.

It was the reason he’d tried out for football. He knew they’d hate it. The physicality. The violence. The physical risks. But they didn’t care enough to stop him, so he kept playing. And here he was, fourteen years later, still playing.

He didn’t love it, not like Lucas did, but playing was a handy excuse to keep him away from VV Pub. He knew he was successful on the field, but he was unproven in the boardroom. In their current precarious situation, rookie mistakes would ruin them. So, Bash continued to play, but in his free time he learned all he could about publishing and managing a business. What he couldn’t ascertain was the connection between people and books, and that’s where his deal with Penny came in.

She held the key to his future success, and it scared the crap out of him. Once he understood the link, he’d have no more excuses to avoid the family business. And personally, he felt seen by her. Penny accepted his unease and awkwardness, but she expected him to overcome it. She expected more from him, and oddly enough, he wanted to be better for her. He didn’t want to be the one to disappoint her.

Chapter 14

Date? George asked, sitting on the top of her toilet, and watching her freshen up her makeup. He’d dashed into her apartment when Maggie brought over the trays of bars she’d baked for Lucas’s last-minute offensive line meeting he’d called for that evening. Maggie had planned on delivering them herself, but a barista at Brewster’s was a no-show and she had to work. Maggie didn’t say why Lucas had called the meeting and Penny hadn’t asked her. Her wounded pride hadn’t let her. If there were problems, Bash should have shared them with her, especially if he was the cause. She couldn’t coach and support him if she didn’t know there was a problem.

No. Just dropping the bars off at Cal’s house.

George cocked his head as she brushed out her hair. Cal won’t care about the skinny jeans or the additional button you undid. And I know he won’t care about that stuff you sprayed on your neck that smells like unwanted fruit. Penny rolled her eyes at his description of her citrus-based perfume. It was light and uplifting, not that her mood could be improved. She couldn’t wait to tell Bash her good news. Tuna juice would be better.

Penny wrinkled her nose. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. She grabbed her eye liner for some smoky shadowing. She could deliver bars and leave Bash hungry for more.

The man was a puzzling irritation. She still couldn’t read his moods like she could everyone else, but she was understanding him and could pick up on his cues. When his dark brows drew together, he was concerned, and when his nostrils flared, she knew he was mentally counting to ten. The corners of his lips ticked up when he was amused, but only the right-side lifted when a compliment embarrassed him. He rubbed his thumb against his index finger when he was nervous. His eyes dilated when she stepped close to him. But her favorite was the low growl he made when they stopped kissing.

She stepped back and studied her reflection. What do you think, George? Will I pass muster?

You don’t usually care.

I always care.

You dress to please yourself. You don’t care what the other person thinks.

That’s because I can’t control their thoughts or reactions. Only mine, Penny said.

How Zen of you. He laughed, an unnatural sound and the opposite of the rainbow-colored, glitter-filled laughter of dogs.

Thank you.

But you care about what Bash thinks, George said.

She shrugged. He’s a good kisser.

You like him, George said, narrowing his good eye at her.

---