Page 72 of Play to Win

“And your uncle Mark—what’s up with him?Did he cheat on your aunt?”

“I don’t know.”I grimace.“They got divorced a long time ago and I don’t know the details.”

“Wow.”

“I need breakfast.”

“Of course you do.”

“Let’s go out.”

She shrugs.“Okay.”

We go inside to change then go for breakfast at a Venice Beach café on the boardwalk with a view of the beach and palm trees.Lacey orders an omelet with avocado, cheese, and bacon.

“I’m going to eat avocado every day while I’m in California,” she announces.“It’s my mission.”

“Sounds like a worthy cause.”I order classic eggs Benedict.

“This is lovely.”She picks up her orange juice and leans back in the chair to stare out at the beach.“I love the smell of the air.The feel of it.It’s so soft.”

I study her across the table, taking in her glowing skin, masses of shiny hair, and luminous smile.“The air is soft?”

“Yes.Can’t you feel it?”

I grin.“Sure.”

“You’re patronizing me.”Her lips curve into a smile.

“No, I’m not.”I lean forward, wanting to kiss those lush lips.“You’re entertaining me.”

“So, you’re laughing at me.”

I shake my head, reading the teasing glint in her eyes.She knows how to push my buttons.Impressive.“I’m laughing with you, and you know it.”

“Okay.Can we go for a walk on the beach after this?Or ...”She hesitates.“Do you have to go to work?”

I sigh.“I should.”

I sense she wants to protest, but says nothing.I appreciate that.Emma used to nag me about how much I worked.

I find myself talking to Lacey about some of the issues I’m facing with the team as we eat our delicious breakfasts.She doesn’t try to solve the problems for me, obviously, but her intent listening and the questions she asks help me process things.

After breakfast we go home, and I find myself saying, “Okay, let’s go for a walk.”

Lacey’s face lights up and that makes a warm glow spread through my chest.We walk close to the water on the firm, damp sand, Lacey pausing to pick up shells or unusual rocks.

“This one’s shaped like a heart.”She holds it up then pockets it.

Her joy in such a simple thing makes my heart turn over in my chest.I spot another heart-shaped one, which I pass to her.I keep walking with my head down, watching for others.

“Byron!”

Startled, I look up at Lacey’s shout.She’s greeting a dog, a beautiful golden retriever.Byron?What the hell?

Byron seems happy to see her too, trying to lick her face, and she’s laughing.I glance over at the woman with Byron, who’s smiling.

“See, he likes you,” the woman says.

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