Page 55 of Offsides Attraction

“What about love?”

“What’s love got to do with it?”

Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “What’s love got to do with a marriage proposal?” Her voice screeched. “Only everything.”

Bash snorted. “Don’t be naïve. How many weddings have you been to where the couple is still together? I’m at less than half, so I’d argue love has little to do with a successful marriage.”

“Then they chose wrong. A marriage needs the things you listed, but it also needs love and trust and honesty, and we’re not there.”

“I thought you were past that,” Bash said, realizing he’d have to work for this win.

“I am, but it’s a fresh wound, and it’s still healing. I’m trying.”

“Try harder. I did.” He was sure once Penny was aware of her betrayal, she’d heal quicker. It was a twisted tit-for-tat strategy.

“What’s that mean?” Penny’s knuckles were white against the chair’s dark wood. Don’t push her. Penny was apt to say no just to spite him.

“You forgot to mention you’re a witch.” Penny opened her mouth, but he held up his hand. “Don’t deny it. I saw you float a mug and a book across the room. I’d have stayed there all night watching you, but that damn cat busted me. Can you read minds? Is that why you’re so good at your job?” Now that she knew he knew, he could finally ask all the questions that had percolated in his brain since that night. In his saner moments, he questioned the wisdom of being involved with a witch, but he didn’t want to lose Penny because of it. If she could put up with his Bash-ness, he could deal with herbs and spells and whatever else her witchiness entailed.

“Moods. I read moods and feelings, and I can sense what people want.” She slumped in the chair as her legs and voice gave out.

“Then you know I want you and I’m sincere about this proposal.” Penny laid her head on the table. She hadn’t left the room, and Bash took it as encouragement. “Do you know when we kiss, sparks fly around us?”

“It’s just physical,” she said, not raising her head.

“Bull. We have something solid.” Bash grabbed a Tetons sweatshirt from the couch. From the stain on the front, he guessed it was Cal’s, but the room was suddenly cold, and he didn’t want to leave to get a clean one. Bash yanked the blanket off the couch and draped it around Penny. She didn’t move or say thank you. He couldn’t believe it was taking her this long to say yes. “Fine, if you’re not ready for marriage, at least come back to New York with me.”

She lifted her head and looked at him like he was another species. “I just can’t come back to New York with you. I have responsibilities. A business. My family is here.” She sounded slightly unhinged.

“Elspeth is just as good at sales as you are and you can do your management work remotely. Your family can visit, and we’ll be back in July for training camp.” He sat next to her, and she wrapped the blanket around her. “Penny, you belong in New York with me. We can use what you’ve done at Get Lost and roll it out to other bookstores. What you’ve done there is incredible, but you were meant for bigger things. You’re like a cardinal wearing sparrow feathers, so you blend with the flock, but you’re too bright to hide.”

She pulled the blanket tighter around her. “I’m sure you meant that as a compliment. I thought you liked it here.”

“I do. It’s great, but it’s not New York. Everything you could ever want is there. You’d be happy.”

“I’m happy here,” she said, sounding lost.

“But it isn’t what you want, either. I can give you that. We’re a perfect team.”

“I’m not ready to settle.” A tear trickled down her cheek and his stomach clenched. He couldn’t argue with tears. “You’re right, though. We do have a lot in common, but if I marry someone, it will naïvely be for love.” Her voice cracked at the end. She stood and gave him a tight smile as she swiped at her cascading tears. “It sounds like you’re looking for a business partner, but you can hire someone for that. Don’t insult me with an impromptu marriage proposal.”

“Then how about a long visit? A week or two? We can take it day by day and see how it goes.” It wasn’t when he wanted, but he’d compromise if this was what she needed to get comfortable with his plan. Bash was sure once she was in New York, all her reservations and concerns would melt. “Please. Come visit.”

“My life is here.” She stood and kissed him softly. Bash tasted her tears and felt the dampness on her cheek. Her sweet kiss pierced hot and jagged through his hopes and dreams. “I’m sorry, Bash.” He watched her walk away, wishing he could dump his sorry ass, too.

Chapter 24

“Are you planning to come home soon?” John Vander Vetter asked.

“My ticket is still for the end of the month, just like it’s been since I bought it, Dad.” Bash pushed his hair off his forehead. He should have gotten a trim before he’d left New York for Curacao, but between doctors’ appointments, physical therapy sessions, and moving into his penthouse, there hadn’t been time. It was also difficult getting anything done when dragging himself out of bed required a herculean effort. Between his battered body and bruised heart, he was a mess.

The Tetons’ season came to a disastrous end five days and seven hours after his equally disastrous proposal. It had been a hell of a week, and in hindsight, he’d wished he’d handled things better. He’d been surly and rude to Cal and Lucas. Cal was a constant reminder of Penny, and the smitten look on Lucas’s face reminded him he’d royally messed up and lost his chance.

After they’d lost—with Bash sitting in the medical tent and then the locker room during the last quarter—he’d chosen to stay in the ice bath rather than face Penny and the rest of the Buchanans. He wasn’t ashamed of the way they’d played, and he’d said as much to his teammates and the press, but the other team had outplayed them. The Tetons had missed a few scoring opportunities, and the defense hadn’t plugged all the holes. But they were still a young team, and Bash had high hopes for next season.

“Have you been into the office yet this week?”

“It’s Tuesday, Dad, and yes, I was there for most of today.” Stuck in inane meetings. The only thing worse than meetings was his office chair. What it lacked in comfort or support, it made up for with its mid-century modern vibe.

---