Page 5 of Perfect Playbook

She gives me a reluctant but grateful smile, and my heart thunders like a kid with a crush.

I used to chase those demure and subtle Mona Lisa smiles of hers in all my free hours back at Golden Sierra. Sometimes, when I run into her in the Canyon and she smiles like this, it’s hard to remember we aren’t those in-love college kids anymore. But we aren’t.

Shay and I have both lived a lot of life between now and then. Hell, she’s a mom now. And me? I’m barely even in Starlight Canyon anymore, haven’t been since we partedways in college and I moved from city to city playing for various teams in the NHL. No, we aren’t those same in-love college kids we once were.

That seems like a lifetime ago.

But even after all those years, her rare smiles still cause the most insane high before crashing down and crushing me with the weight of the impossible. Shay and I were in the wrong place at the wrong time back then, and I knew I wouldn’t even be able to try my chances with her until I ended up back on the team in New Mexico. By then, she had a baby and never seems to take one of my flirtatious moves to run with it.

She’s over it. I count myself grateful to still see her smile.

“Come on,” I reassure her. “Hand ’em over.”

“Okay, but…”

“It goes without saying.” I take the boxes as if there are explosives inside instead of cake.

The boxes are a lot heavier than I expected, and the strength in her frame is impressive. I remember one time we had a family arm wrestling competition when I was younger, and my own mom, who though a lot taller than Shay is slight, was strong as fuck. I guess mothers carry things in their arms and on their shoulders their whole lives. It builds strength, for sure.

We walk along the elaborate patterned rug toward the ballroom where the Grishams are having their reception.

“So you’re doing weddings now?” I ask.

“It’s actually my first one. But that’s the plan.” She patters along in quick, small steps next to me. She’s a good foot below, but her presence has always been bigger than her stature.

“I’m happy for you. You always wanted to be an entrepreneur like your brothers.”

“Yeah. I’ve had a few detours,” she offers, humble as ever. “But there’s no time like the present, I guess. We’ll see.”

“YourSugar Shaysocial does well. You must have good exposure?”

A whisper of doubt spreads across her features. “Youfollowmeon social?”

“Course I do. I’m kind of hurt you didn’t know that. Guess I’m just one of many fans,” I tease. “Just one of the minions now that you’re famous.”

A sarcastic laugh rushes out. “Lush coming from you.”

If Shay is comparing herself to my fans, there really is no comparison. I’ve never forgotten one damn inch of this woman, inside or out, in sixteen years. But I don’t want to think about that. Not right now. In fact, I promise myself not to think about it every time I do run into her. Which is more often than I want and not enough at the same time. No one can make me uncertain like this woman.

I search for small talk to dampen what feels like the return of a young man’s crush in my chest.It happens every damn time.“Are you staying for the reception tonight?”

It’s a hope to change the subject, but it only makes me wonder what she’d be wearing, and it spins me in a circle right back where I started. She used to look so cute in my jersey.

“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

“Where is Antonio tonight? With your dad?”

“Yup. I’ve never left him overnight; even though we live with Dad, it makes me anxious to leave him. I’m one of those overprotective helicopter parents.”

I bet she outright smothers that little boy in the best possible way. And Luis, too.

“No such thing as overprotective, is there?”

She rewards me with a grateful smile, the second in a short space of time, so I must be doing well.

“I guess I’ll find out when and if Nino ends up in therapy.”

I let out a rough laugh. “Yeah.”

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