Page 69 of The Player's Obsession

There’s a pretty woman inside who is missing her fake fiancé.

I smile, happy to close that chapter of my life and rejoin Penelope and our friends. I glance at my watch and see that it’s getting late. I bet Penelope is tired. She’s had a crazy week, not to mention the nonsense with her brother. I hope he’s not going to find a way to embarrass his sister now that she’s in the limelight.

I slide in next to Penelope, and after fetching her much needed water, I decide it’s time to head to our suite upstairs.

“I say we call it a night.”

“Yes, we’ve had a long day,” Penelope agrees.

“Oh, you two,” Rose coos as she lays her hand on her husband’s thigh. “I’m tired, too.”

“I have no problem calling it a night. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow. I didn’t realize we were committing to an entire holiday weekend when I agreed to attend the wedding. But it’s a great place to be when we can’t travel far from home,” Travis says.

“Yeah, after this weekend, we need to get in shape for our game. I have a feeling tomorrow night is going to get crazy. It’s not only the wedding guests who will be celebrating the New Year with us, but the entire hotel. I can’t imagine how crazy that will be,” Darrel exclaims. I notice he wraps his arm around Stephanie’s waist.

“Do you have a shoot coming up?” I ask Stephanie.

“Yes, it’s not until February, but it’s going to be in Aruba. The water there is gorgeous. I can’t wait.”

“Sounds incredible,” Penelope says as she comfortably lays her head on my shoulder and covers her yawn with her left hand. The ring catches the light, reflecting the brilliant colors and reminding me she’s mine for the moment. My world is in focus.

“When are your parents getting in for the game?” Stephanie asks me.

“I’m sure they’ll come up before the game. And my brother will be in town as well, so it will be a huge family breakfast after the game.”

I glance at Penelope, who pretends to already know all this. She’s never been comfortable with this charade, but when I came up with this stupid idea, I was convinced I was still in love with Melanie. Now, I have to see it through because my family is involved, and we can’t break up before the game. That would be crazy.

I love having Penelope around and I’m sure my mother will too. She didn’t grow up rich like my parents, but I think she and my mom will find things in common. Mom has always wanted a daughter-in-law and grandchildren to spoil.

“Yes, let’s get a box, I already mentioned it to Penelope,” Rose says.

“Great, I’m in on that too,” Darrel says, looking to his wife for her consent.

“It will be great, but I’ve got to get some sleep. Maybe we can meet at the spa tomorrow? I hear the bridal party is doing that, but we can make our own party.”

“Great by me,” Rose says.

“Thank you,” Penelope says, “I’d love to try it. I’ve never been.”

“You’re in good hands with me, I’ll show you the ropes,” Stephanie says.

We stand, and Penelope exchanges numbers with the girls while I pay the tab at the bar.

I come back to find the girls giving each other hugs, and my heart melts. Penelope has found new friends.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She waves to the group as I walk her back to the elevator. “Good thing you know the way back. I need to take a picture of the hotel door so I can remember it.”

“I’m sure you’ll find your way around eventually.” She hugs herself as if she’s cold. I put my arm over her shoulders and pull her to me.

“Are you cold?”

“I feel a chill. It must be the low humidity. Do you feel it?”

“Honey, I’m on frozen football fields all winter. I live in Maine. I have a tolerance to it.” I caress the side of her face as I look into her eyes. “But for you, it’s a whole new level of winter. Maine is unforgiving, and it’s worse in February.”

“No,” she gasps. “I should have done more research before taking a job here,” she teases.

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