Page 4 of Not By the Playbook

“I didn't realize he was dating anyone,” she says a beat later.

Neither did I.How is this happening to me? I pay my taxes on time, call my mother regularly. I even floss, for God’s sake.

“It's new.” Words leave my mouth. Words not approved by my brain.

“What a surprise.”

To me too.I stand still. Afraid to move in case the being that currently occupies my body attempts something else.

Ms. Barnes sets her coffee on the countertop. Right where my butt was moored last night. My hand itches to run a Clorox wipe down the granite surface.

She notices my gaze. “Would you like some coffee, Ms. Gerone?”

“I, uh…yes. Sure. Thank you.”Yes. Anything. Just shut me up.

She pours me a cup and hands it over, all the while observing. My fingers curl around the ceramic, and I bring it to my lips, welcoming the scalding liquid.

Eons later, I wheeze an, “Excuse me. I’m sorry, Ms. Barnes. I just…didn't expect to see you here.”Understatement of the century.

She continues to study me over the rim of her cup. “Yes, Ms. Gerone. It's a small world.”

I nod dumbly.

“Very small indeed,” she tacks on a moment later.

“Yeah. I didn't know that… you…,” I flail around.

“I’m here for the week. My apartment is being painted. Logan must have forgotten.” She sniffs. “He was supposed to meet me in the lobby yesterday. It’s a good thing his doorman let me in.”

“Ah…I met Logan last night. I mean, he was with me. Right after the interview. To celebrate,” I scramble.

“To celebrate, hmmm?” A single eyebrow lifts.

And now I’m a presumptuous bitch.

The sloshing in my belly returns. This time it’s not the booze’s fault.

“I supposed I’m just surprised. You’re very different from his usual…companions.” She takes another sip of her coffee.

So I don't look like a football player's standard fuck. Small favors.

I’m saved from more verbal dysentery when said football player, now clad in boxers that conceal little, strolls into the kitchen rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. He stops. The sleepy expression on his face transforms into a frown as his gaze swings from me to Ms. Barnes. Before he can say anything, desperation carries me to his side. My grappling hooks twine around his neck, and I drag his lips down to mine.

Chapter Three

LOGAN

For a manwho relies on his quick reflexes to make a living, I’m remarkably slow at registering the situation I’ve just walked into before a mouth is fused to mine.Rebecca.

I stand there stunned, but it’s only a momentary reaction before my eyes jerk up, over Rebecca’s head, to meet Jenna’s bemused stare across the kitchen island.

Fuck. My. Life.

Words to explain why a stranger is mauling me when I’m in nothing but my underwear queue up on my tongue, but Rebecca speaks first.

“Hon! I just met your sister!”

Hon?My eyes drop to meet her wide green gaze.

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