Page 57 of Win Big

“Anything you do to her?—”

“Dad. Stop.” Everly steps closer. “I’m a grown woman. Give me credit for having been brought up well enough that I can know how to look after myself when it comes to men. Do you say things like that to the women Noah and Archer and Harrison date?” She pauses. Bob doesn’t answer. “No, you don’t, because I’ve seen you with them. You’re all flirty and complimentary. Well, don’t treat me any different than you treat the boys. It’s insulting.”

Go, Everly.Admiration for her heats my chest. I kind of want to kiss her right now.

Bad idea in front of her dad.

“Okay, okay. I get it.” Bob points at me. “But I’m keeping an eye on you.”

“I totally understand.”

He leaves and I turn to Everly. She has her hand over her eyes, her thumb pressing into one eyebrow. I move closer. “Headache?”

“Yeah. And his name is Bob Wynn.” She looks up and sighs. “So. Where should we go for lunch?”

EVERLY

I’m freaking the fuck out.

On the inside. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of keeping it on the inside.

I need to reel it in. Chill down. Settle the kettle.

We climb into Wyatt’s Land Rover. As he drives, I focus on breathing, without being obvious about it.

This is my worst nightmare. The media getting hold of something and turning it into something it’s not. Broadcasting my mistake to the whole world.

One stupid mistake almost ruined my life years ago. I can never screw up like that again. That was why I’d decided I can’t date Wyatt again, and here I am... forced into it.

“How about Lard Boy?”

“Uh... sure.” It sounds like a dive, but it’s actually a new and trendy restaurant on Wilshire. I guess if we’re going to do this, might as well make sure people see us, even if it’s just lunch.

When we’re seated, Wyatt leans forward. “I’m really sorry. I feel responsible for all this.”

“It’s not your fault.” Although I kind of have been blaming him in my inside voice. In fairness, though... “Who knew there was someone there taking pictures?”

“Yeah. But I guess I should have known it’s a possibility.”

“I should have known too.” I sigh. “It’s done. We have to make the best of it. I just don’t want this to be negative PR for the team or for the league.”

“Neither do I. Seriously, I don’t care about myself. If people want to start stupid rumors, I don’t care.” He scrunches up his face. “Maybe I’m not the best person to be the ambassador.”

“Too late now. We’ve already put your name in and done the marketing photos. Your name is on everything now. And next week we’re filming the video we’re making.”

His smile melts my panties. “Well, it’s not exactly a hardship to spend time with a beautiful, sexy, fascinating woman.”

My heart bumps with pleasure, but I ignore it. “That’s laying it on a bit thick.”

He puts on an affronted look. “I mean all that.”

“Oh.” I drop my gaze. “Well. Thank you.”

“Does your dad get that upset about every man you date? Or just me?”

“Pretty much everyone,” I admit.

“Even Dan Diaz?”

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