Page 53 of Offsides Attraction

She fiddled with her wineglass, savoring the moment. No man had ever cooked for her. He’d draped a white tablecloth and scattered votive candles and several short vases filled with roses over the sturdy kitchen table. The dim lights masked the dirty dishes in the sink behind him. It wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t care. Bash fiddled with his napkin and his leg bouncing under the table.

“Say it,” she said as he set his wine aside and took a hearty drink of his ice water.

“What?”

“Whatever you’ve been trying to say for the last few minutes. You’re fidgeting and you keep opening and closing your mouth like there’s something you want to say, but the words won’t come.”

“Are you ready for dessert?” he asked, and disappointment knocked her back. Two steps forward, one step back. He’d pulled out all the stops for a romantic dinner, surprising her at every turn and lulling her into a fantasy.

“I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

“Not even tiramisu from Allegra’s?” Of course, he had her favorite dessert from the famous Italian restaurant in New York City. He’d thought of everything. Except telling me to save room for dessert.

“Did you even make the sauce, or did you order that from them, too?” she teased, needing to break the mood. He was acting like the old-Bash, tense and reserved.

“I learned the sauce from a chef we had, but since Allegra was shipping the tiramisu, I added the pasta. Even frozen, fresh is better than dried,” he said, gathering their dishes and carrying them to the sink. Penny drained her wine.

Are you sure he’s worth the challenge? she asked herself for the umpteenth time. They were from different worlds. He knew fresh pasta from boxed. He’d grown up with nannies and chefs on the upper west side. She’d grown up eating boxed pasta and jarred sauce thrown together by either her mom or dad until Maggie took over. Penny had never met a stranger, but Bash was reserved. Am I kidding myself? We have nothing in common. Panic seized her as reality hit her over the head. He’s breaking up with me.

Her stomach dropped as she watched him limp to the sink. The Tetons had won their two away games, the last in overtime, but it had cost them. My beaten warrior, she thought sadly, because after tonight he wouldn’t be hers. Penny wished she had Maggie’s skill with soft tissue. She knew her sister could ease his pain, but the thought of Maggie laying her hands on Bash had Penny seeing red, even if he was breaking up with her.

“Let me help,” Penny said, shifting him to the side. She should leave now, but she didn’t want to leave him with this mess. It looked like he’d dirtied every pot and pan. “I’ll rinse while you load, and after I wash the pans, I’ll go.” Tears pricked her eyes.

Bash turned off the water. “Why?”

“Because this won’t work. There’s something bothering you and if you’re not comfortable telling me, then we’re wasting our time.” She sniffled and Bash swore.

“You’re what’s bothering me.”

“I rest my case.” Penny threw the dish sponge in the sink and the white suds hit his face.

“I’m trying to be cool and sophisticated, but I’ve never cooked dinner for a woman before, and I’m trying to eat without drooling all over myself, because while you always look beautiful, tonight you look, I don’t know… I can’t even find the words, and I’m trying to find the courage to ask you to stay, but I don’t know what I’ll do if you say no.” He sagged against the counter, as if his outburst had drained him, and wiped the bubbles from his face with a nearby towel.

“Oh,” Penny said, realizing this wasn’t a break-up dinner and wishing she could come up with something more eloquent than oh. He wants me to stay?

“I had a flowery speech prepared to give you over dessert, but I panicked.”

“You’ve never cooked for a woman?”

“I haven’t been in a relationship since college, and since then, well, it’s always been temporary, with clear boundaries and expectations.” Penny understood those. Her life was littered with them. Until now.

“We’re in a relationship?” Her voice cracked.

“Aren’t we?” he asked, snagging his fingers in the top of her jeans and tugging her closer. Penny went willingly.

“No one’s ever called me beautiful,” she said, twisting a button on his shirt.

“Beyond beautiful, and it’s further proof that the world is filled with idiots.” His voice was low and growly, and Penny struggled to breathe as her heart pounded against her chest. He kissed the freckled trail that ran over her cheeks and Penny felt beautiful. “And I’m their king.” He rested one hand on her hip and the other tilted her chin. “I’m sorry you were blindsided. I should have told you.” Bash didn’t clarify which mistake. It hung over them like a dense fog, and Penny knew the only sunlight to burn it off would be her forgiveness and acceptance.

“Yes, you should have.” Penny couldn’t to let him off the hook about not telling her about his parentage no matter how badly she wanted to get back to the kissing.

“I was wrong.” He looked uneasy and two blotches of red covered his cheeks.

“Yes, you were.” Bash paled and sagged against the counter, looking queasy, and Penny grabbed the front of his shirt. “Are you okay?”

He blew out a breath. “I’m a virgin apologizer.”

His admission didn’t surprise her, and she smirked. “How was it?” she asked, enjoying his playful side.

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