Page 27 of Time To Live Again

A stunning man appears and wraps his arm around her. My stomach makes a loop, and I freeze in place.No fucking way. It can’t be him.

“Olive, this is Ellie Moore and her husband, Sam. This is their party.”

I put my hands on my cheeks. “No way.TheSamuel Moore? The soccer player from the LA Galaxy?”

Sam nods with a relaxed smile. “That’s me, theretiredsoccer player from the LA Galaxy.”

“Yes, sorry. That’s right. I can’t believe it. My brother’s going to die. We’re huge fans. We used to go to the games when he’d visit me in LA. It’s really great to meet you both.” I realize I’m shaking their hands with too much enthusiasm. I let them go. “Sorry. This is a bit much for me. It’s been a crazy day.” I’m totally starstruck, and my face and ears are on fire.

“So you live in LA?” Sam asks. “What area?”

My excitement dies.It’s your fault—you mentioned LA.“Uh, I went to nursing school there. Now I live in a small town north of Seattle.”

“Do you miss it?” Sam asks.

“Nope,” I say, not open for discussion.

“Me neither,” Sam agrees, sipping his beer.

“We live in Seattle. Sam’s the coach for the soccer team at Seattle University…who won the championship this year!” Ellie throws her hands in the air, and the group around us chants the team’s name as if they’re in the stadium. Once it quiets down, she continues, “I’d tell you to come to a game with your brother and Leo, but the season is over. Come in the fall!”

“I’ll have to make sure I still know Leo then.” Everyone laughs. “Without his mustache, it might be difficult.”Who the fuck am I?

“Hey.” He nudges me with his hip. “You said you didn’t like it.”

“Just kidding.” I caress his cheek with the back of my fingers. “You know I love your freshly shaven lip.” Leo throws his head back and laughs. It lights me up when I can make him do that. Ellie assesses us with a slight, knowing nod.

“Hey, Sam, can I take a picture of you and Olive for her brother?” Leo asks, motioning for me to go stand by Sam.

“Sure. But let’s all get in,” he responds, his arms open wide for all of us to squeeze in.

“Really?” I squeal like an annoying fan, then bite on my lip to shut up. “I’m sure you’re bothered all the time.”

“Those days are long gone. Most people don’t recognize me anymore.” He doesn’t sound annoyed at all.

“Which is nice for me,” Ellie chimes in, kissing his cheek. “I get him all to myself.” Can they be any more beautiful together? With her red hair and green eyes and his wavy brown hair and deep blue eyes, I can just imagine what their kids would look like.

I pat my pockets. “Shit, I left my phone in my room.” I didn’t want to deal with calls or messages tonight.

“I’ll take the picture with mine. Let’s do a selfie,” Leo suggests. Everyone agrees and squeezes in together. I’m standing between Leo and Sam like a sandwich, and I won’t complain. He takes several pictures because half of them were hilarious. I thank Sam profusely.

I wring my hands as adrenaline pumps through my body. “Leo, can you send me those pictures?”

“I would, but I can’t,” he replies. My eyebrows shoot up. “I mean, I’m your fake boyfriend, and I don’t even have your fake phone number. What the hell is that all about?” he whispers comically.

“At that time, you hadn’t earned it. Now that you got me a picture with my favorite soccer player, I’ll give it to you.”

He hands me his phone, and I add my number under Fake Girlfriend. He chuckles when he sees it.

The thrill of meeting Sam dies down and the guests resume chatting in their circles. I wave my shirt away from my body, trying to cool off. Leo brings me some champagne and a bottle of water like he’s read my mind. I down the water in seconds, surprised at how thirsty I am. Then I sip the bubbly. My mouth fizzes with the dry sweetness dancing on my tongue.

Once my glass is empty, I go to the bar to get another while Leo talks to Ellie. The DJ is playing great dance music, and I tap my fingers to the rhythm on my thigh. Sam comes up alongside me at the bar. I berate myself mentally for leaving my phone behind. I’d send a picture to Andy right now. I turn my head and smile at him.Act normal!

“So Olive, how do you know Leo?”

The bartender places my drink in front of me, and Sam orders another beer. I take a long sip to delay my response because I’m not sure what to say. Since it doesn’t feel right to lie, I give him a broad answer instead.

“Funny story… We met today and hit it off. I’m a guest at the hotel.”

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