Page 84 of Play to Win

“We’re working on a new partnership between the city and the foundation,” she adds.“I think it’s going to be amazing.”

Right.Everly runs the Condors Foundation.And lunches with the mayor.

“Would you like to see a menu?”The waiter is here.

“We’ve already ordered,” Aline tells Everly.

“I’ll have the coast burger,” Everly says without needing a menu.“With fries.Thank you, Liam.”She smiles at the waiter who bears a striking resemblance to Ryan Gosling.

“Of course.”He smiles back, plucks the menu away, and disappears.

“Well.”Aline picks up her wine and drains it too.“This is so nice.Tell us more about yourself, Lacey.”

Great.Just what I don’t want to do.I shift in my wicker chair.“Um.Well, I told you my mom passed away a couple of years ago.She had ovarian cancer.”I pause.“I never knew my father.”

They both nod without judgment, so I continue.“I have a twin brother, Chris.He’s a little angry with me right now.”I drop my gaze to my wineglass.“He has a gambling addiction, and I finally refused to keep bailing him out.”

“Oh no.”Aline’s eyes warm with sympathy.“Addictions are a terrible thing.They make us feel so powerless to help someone.”

“Yes.Théo was very supportive in my decision.I know I can’t help Chris ...he has to help himself.”

“I’m glad you and Théo have each other,” Aline says softly.

“Are you planning to work now you’re here?”Everly asks me.

“Yes, I’d like to do something.”I wrinkle my nose.“I’ve definitely been feeling at loose ends this week, with Théo so busy.”

“We always need volunteers,” Everly says.“If you’re interested in getting involved.The players’ wives and girlfriends do a lot of charity work and help contribute to the foundation, and I’m sure they’d welcome your help.”

I tilt my head.“Hmm.Yes, I could do that.Obviously, I haven’t met any of the wives and girlfriends.I’ve only met one player—Manny—who lives in our building.I gather most of them aren’t around in the summer.”

“Yes, many of them go spend time with their families.”

“When does the season start?”

“Officially, October.But they’ll start arriving back in town in August for training camp.”

“That’s still so far away.”

“Yes, our activities do slow down over the summer.We can talk more about ways for you to get involved.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

I let Everly and Aline chat more, gradually joining in the conversation.I learn that Everly has a wicked sense of humor and I admire how she digs into her huge hamburger and fries with no shame.

“I’m on a low carb diet,” she tells me when she sees me eyeing her food.She picks up a fry in her fingers.

I raise my eyebrows.

“When I feel low, I eat carbs.”She grins.

I laugh.“Hey!Me too!”

“Why do you feel low, Everly?”Aline asks with a slight frown.

Everly shrugs.“Just joking.”

We also discover a mutual love of knitting.“It’s great for stress relief!”I say excitedly.“I wasn’t able to bring my knitting things with me.”

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