Page 85 of Love Game

“The best play we have.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He framed her face between his big, broad palms, and her legs turned to jelly. “I just want you to have everything you want to have.”

“I will,” she answered. “Just as soon as we get in there, sign that license, and get Judge Baxter to wave his ‘I do’ wand over us, I’ll have what I want.”

“Not even close.”

She shrugged, then turned her lips into his palm. “Anything else is just showboating,” she murmured against his skin.

“Kate, look at me.”

Feeling keyed up and languorous at the same time, she roused herself from her Danny-induced stupor and rocked back to stand on her own two feet. “Yes?”

“I promise I’ll do everything I can to stay.”

Wetting her lips, she slid her hand down into his and gave his fingers a squeeze. “Save your promises till we’re on the inside, big guy.”

Within minutes, they were signing their marriage certificate and a few extra autographs for the county clerk. Five minutes after that, they stood facing one another on a faded Aubusson carpet in Judge Baxter’s book-lined office. Danny had just taken her hands in his when the door flew open and Millie and Avery blew in with Mike in tow, the boss man looking shell-shocked.

“What are you doing here?” Danny asked the athletic director.

Mike blinked as if he’d been hoping the whole scene was nothing more than a dream, then shrugged. “Being your best man. Probably getting myself fired too.”

“Hush. This is America,” Avery said, thrusting a weary-looking bouquet between Danny and Kate. “They can’t fire you for attending a civil ceremony, can they, Judge?”

“No, I don’t believe that would give them cause, but this is an employment at-will state…” the judge began.

“You hush too.” Avery stepped back, gave Kate a critical once-over, then tugged the bottom of the bride’s T-shirt down so it covered her butt better. “Besides, we’re all on our lunch hours.”

Millie stared at Avery, clearly astonished. Then she burst out laughing.

“Oh, can it. All of you,” Avery blustered. “It’s the maid of honor’s job to do the flowers and the fluffing the train thing.”

Millie pounced. “Maid of honor? Who said you get to be maid of honor?”

“I’ve never been married. You have.” Avery flashed a smug smile. “You can be matron of honor if Kate wants you to.” She turned to Kate, wrinkling her pert nose in distaste. “But personally, I think having both might be a little pretentious for a civil ceremony.”

Kate looked at Danny, and he stared back at her, bewilderment etched into every handsome line on his face. Mike stepped up behind Danny and nodded solemnly to Judge Baxter. With some hushed squabbling about who’d hold the place of honor for Kate, Avery and Millie jostled until they stood side by side facing the bride.

Kate shot them an amused glance, then looked down at their feet. “I think Millie’s a half inch closer.”

“Only because she has gunboat feet.” Avery corrected the deficit, then tossed a triumphant glance at Millie. “There. We’re even.”

“Are we ready?” the judge asked. He pinned each participant with a stern stare, but the corners of his mouth twitched with amusement.

The cellophane wrapper on the grocery-store bouquet crinkled as Kate lifted it to her nose. She took one long sniff, then handed the flowers to Millie so she could reclaim her hold on her man. “I’m ready.”

Danny stared straight into her eyes. “Me too.”

* * *

“Trust me on this, you do not want to come in there with me,” Mike said firmly.

Calhoun’s bar was quiet midafternoon, but they still pitched their voices low so passersby wouldn’t overhear. “I had Judge Baxter look at the contract, and he agrees,” Kate said in a warning tone. “The way it’s worded, Danny would have grounds to fight termination for cause.”

Mike closed his eyes in a blatant and unapologetic attempt to find the handle on his patience, and Danny knew his old friend well enough not to be offended by it. Kate, on the other hand…

“Chancellor Martin may succeed in getting rid of him, but it’s going to cost him,” she continued, undaunted.

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