Page 59 of Power Play

“Princess?” I call out to her as I glance briefly over my shoulder. She looks up from the phone screen, her finger hovering over it. Her pink glasses, white tee with a rainbow-colored unicorn and light blue shorts look adorable on her. I still don’t know why she needs to wear glasses, but I suppose it has something to do with the doctor visit she mentioned before. I’ll ask Layla about it. “How is Bon-Bon doing? I haven’t heard you talk about her for some time. I’m worried.”

Her face lights up in an instant, and she puts the phone down on the seat beside her. “We were in Paris today. Me and Bon-Bon.”

“Paris?” I quirk an eyebrow at Layla, and she snorts, shaking her head.

“It’s Angie’s favorite city. Remember to never ask her about it, or she’ll talk your ear off. I made that mistake once. Not sure I ever want to go to France now, even if I wanted to before.”

“I remember Paris was on your bucket list,” I state. My eyes are on the road, but I feel her watching me. It’s all about the details, little and big. They will show her that I care. That I know her. That I memorized everything about her, and I don’t plan on ever forgetting.

I catch Maya’s gaze in the rearview mirror and ask, “And what do you think about Paris, Princess?”

We spent aroundtwo hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, going from one exhibit to the next, enjoying our time and having a lot of fun with Maya at the Splash Zone. Though we loved watching the otters the most. As Maya said, “They are the best animals in the world.” And I think she’s right.

Then we grabbed a quick lunch and went for a walk on the beach. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It’s impossible to stay unaffected when a child like Maya is with you.

Layla warned me against buying her a sandcastle building set, but of course I didn’t listen. I wanted to play with Maya. By the time we finally left the beach to go meet Dominic, three sandcastles of different sizes and shapes were standing on the sand, and a yellow bucket and a shovel were stored in the trunk of my car.

It’s one of the best days I’ve had in months. Just because Layla and Maya are here with me.

“When doyou think my car will be ready?” I ask Dominic.

He turned out to be only twenty-three, with a short blond buzzcut and hazel eyes like his cousin Ethan’s. I’m still taller than him, but I think he’s a good six-foot-one, with broad shoulders and a lean frame. And the fella is handsome—I definitely noticed the glances Layla threw his way when we were talking about my car.

Dominic scratches the back of his head, thinking. “Will Friday work for you?”

“Not sure. I have a home game on Friday, and then we’re flying to Vegas on Saturday for the last preseason game.”

“I can drive it to Santa Clara for you or have one of our guys bring it?”

The bell above the door rings, and Dominic and I turn our heads. A girl with long, jet-black hair steps into the shop and looks around. She’s in a short floral dress and a black leather jacket. A little purse hangs over her shoulder. Dominic stiffens beside me, crossing his arms over the chest of his black hoodie. His eyes are glued to the new addition.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

Her gaze snaps in our direction, and she purses her lips, eyeing Dominic from under her furrowed brow. “Mom told me Allan wants to see me. Is he here?”

“In the office,” Dominic grumbles.

The girl rolls her eyes and strolls toward a side door near where we’re standing. She’s younger than us, probably a college kid. And she’s very beautiful, with smooth, sun-kissed skin and plump lips painted red. Her dark green eyes, framed by long black eyelashes, are shooting daggers at Dominic as she gets closer to us.

“Next time, call him,” he says. “Dad could’ve been anywhere.”

Instead of gracing him with an answer, the girl lifts her hand and gives him the middle finger. I glance between the two—the tension could seriously be cut with a knife. What am I missing here?

“Sorry about that,” he tells me when she steps into the office and closes the door behind her.

“Don’t worry,” I say with a smile. “It was highly entertaining.”

Dominic chuckles, and Layla walks up to us, holding Maya in her arms. She stops beside me, and I hide my hands inmy pockets, restraining myself from reaching out and wrapping my arm around her shoulder. We’re not there yet…but we’re definitely moving in the right direction. Yesterday’s kiss is the best evidence of that.

Calculating the right move when it comes to Layla is feeling more and more like a power play. The advantage I have now, with all the big and little gestures I’m showing her, is definitely playing into my hands. I’m here to stay, and it’s best she understands that.

“That’s Mia. She’s my best friend’s little sister.” He swallows and looks away for a moment. “And my stepsister.”

A stunned silence hangs between us. Then Layla snorts. “A sibling’s love is priceless, isn’t it?”

Dominic winces as if Layla’s words bother him. “We never really got along,” he mutters. Then he clears his throat. “Sorry. It’s a very long story, and you’re not here to listen to it.” He claps his hands together. “So will you be okay with me driving your car to Santa Clara?”

“Totally. I just hope it won’t be a problem for you.”

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