Page 60 of Playmaker

“This is your chance to get grilled by nice people. So you’ll be prepared for my family.”

“Will they be worse than your goddaughter?” My eyes rounded as I realized what I’d said. “I’m sorry—there’s nothing wrong with Hailey, just she didn’t like me.”

Hunter’s eyes were dancing, and the corners of his mouth tipped up. “Oh, I know what my daughter’s like. She’s used to being the center of Cooper’s attention, so this should be fun. You’d be very welcome, and I know Faith would like to meet you.”

Cooper narrowed his eyes at his friend. Maybe he hoped I would say no, because his friends would give him shit. He’d been relaxed all day with Seb Hunter around. I liked seeing that side to him. And it might be fun to see how he was with his friends.

“That sounds nice. Thank you.”

* * *

Cooper parkedin the guest slot and we took the elevator up. There was an appetizing aroma when Seb opened the door of the condo and announced we had arrived.

Fast-moving footsteps sounded and Hailey rounded the corner.

“Daddy!”

Seb picked her up. “Are you a good girl?”

She nodded. She caught sight of Cooper and immediately stretched her arms out, saying, “Kook!”

Cooper took her from her father. She patted his chest and grinned at him. And then she saw me.

Her face fell and her bottom lip jutted out. “No.”

Cooper laughed, while Seb looked shocked. “Hailey, that’s rude.”

I had no idea what I should do. Leave? Ignore the kid? Try to win her over?

“Hailey monster, if Callie goes, I go. I’m her ride.”

The little girl squinted at Cooper. “Down.”

Cooper set her on her feet and she stalked away from the three of us.

“You weren’t kidding when you said she didn’t like Callie.” Seb sounded surprised.

Was I the only person in the world the toddler didn’t like? “Maybe I should just go…”

Seb shook his head. “No, she’s spoiled enough. She doesn’t get to decide who’s welcome in our home.”

Yeah, well, for a small person, she was good at making someone feel unwelcome. Cooper reached out his arm, grasped my hand with his and pulled me forward. His hand was callused and warm, and surprisingly calming. My tension eased.

Faith—it had to be Seb’s wife, Faith—was in the kitchen. She was wiping down the counter while delicious smells came from what she had on the stovetop.

“Faith, this is Callie.”

She straightened and offered a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Callie.” She was tall, blonde and blue-eyed. Obviously Hailey’s mother.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Faith’s brows lifted, and I realized I was still holding Cooper’s hand. Cheeks warming, I tugged mine away.

“Thanks for helping Cooper with Hailey last week. Normally we meet someone before we co-opt them into babysitting.” Faith glanced at Cooper when she said that. He just grinned at her.

“I don’t think I was much help. I’m not good with kids.”

“Still, everyone survived. How was the round?”

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