Page 56 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

Maybe I need to show Jake what I look like when I go out. A smile tugs at my lips. Suddenly, it’s important to me to dress for a night out. I can’t compete with designer labels, but I do have a little black dress that shows off my curves. I push myself to reach the corner of my closet and pull out my dress. I haven’t worn this since my last date night with Rob. I dust off the black velvety material. It’s time to make new memories even if Jake can’t join me.

I’m not rushed like I normally am because Jake is with Ellie and I admit there are many benefits to his presence. I slip into the shower and wash my hair. When I’m done, I towel off andblow out my long tresses, making sure the hair that cascades over my back has a soft curl to it.

When I enter the living room, Ellie is practically bouncing with excitement about her evening with our famous football player.

“Jake and Ellie’s Night. Wahoo!” she chants. She hugs me tight knowing I’m leaving and when I kiss the top of her head, she smells like vanilla and mischief.

“Jake, you’re in charge,” I say with a stern voice, with a face to match.

“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” he says. He joins me at the door and kisses me. “You’re a vision, Samantha McAllister. I’d love to carry you up those steps,” he whispers. “On second thought, I could just take you on the porch,” his voice rasps with desire and naughtiness.

I give his chest a playful whack. “Don’t you dare!”

“Every man at the event will swarm to you like ants to the watermelon.”

“Really?”

“You have no idea how beautiful you are Sam, inside and out. Any man would be lucky to have you give him two minutes of your time.”

“And you?” I can’t believe I’m fishing for another compliment.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he whispers as he leans in to kiss me again, and when I look into his eyes, I see how vulnerable he is for the first time and my breath catches in my throat.

“I have to go,” I reply nervously.

“One day, you won’t be able to run away so easily,” he threatens.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to, Maggie is here,” I say, as I see her headlights approaching and by the love of God, I don’t have to finishthe sentence.

“You’re lucky,” he jokes as if he’s reading my mind. “Have a good time. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine.”

By the time I glance over my shoulder, Ellie has joined him at the door and they both wave.

Famous last words. I know I can trust him but it doesn’t stop me from worrying. I need to get a grip on the anxiety and the guilt I have over leaving Ellie. However, Jake is like family and I have to give him a chance to succeed as any person would. Only I’m not normal.

And my gut tells me we’re not ready for this trial by fire.

Maggie rolls to a stop so I can get in and I have to admit that I feel like an adult out for a night on the town. Maggie is smug as hell about me actually being out in public without the little rugrat attached to my hip.

“I thought I’d never see the day!” she teases.

I make myself comfortable in her posh BMW and buckle the seatbelt. Needless to say, she doesn’t have any kids—yet. I smile at the thought of the possibility of future milk spilled by her future kid all over her expensive floor mats.

“I should have put money on it,” I reply with an evil grin.

I can’t believe how light and playful I feel. So this is what it’s like to be an adult with a hall pass.

The night goes by in a blur and Jake was right. For the first time in my life, I notice the men in the room giving me the once over. Jake was right! I’ve never noticed men ogling me before.

In the first five minutes, I discover what it feels like to be an available single woman. But I’m not available—am I?

I smile and greet everyone before the evening progresses with adult conversations, wine, and culinary gossip. But asmuch as I’m enjoying my evening, I wish Jake was here with me.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Maggie says, handing me another glass of wine.

“Nothing.”

“Yeah, right. You’re gone for an hour and you miss that handsome hunk you left at home. You should have taken him, not me.”

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