Page 55 of Courtside

Rather than respond to the rest of what Maggie had said, Sage picked up the phone, entering her name and number before handing it back. She could feel David watching her, but she wasn’t quite ready to look at him.

Not yet.

Maggie flashed her a smile. “Well, you two enjoy yourfriendlydinner, then. Next drink is on me.”

Sage watched her walk away, struck once again by what a whirlwind Maggie was. She had the kind of magnetic personality that drew people to her, like Brinley and Cori did. Whatever that magical thing was that they all possessed, Sage didn’t have.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom,” David said, bracing his hands on the table in front of him as he stood up. Sage couldn’t help but stare at his forearms. “Need anything?”

Fucking forearms. She wet her lips. They looked like they were wrapped in rope, the skin there tan and dusted with dark hair. What would it feel like if he —

“Sage?” A big hand waved in front of her face. “You okay?”

“Fine,” she squeaked. “Totally fine.”

David didn’t look like he believed her, but he gave her a small nod before turning and walking away.

Was she watching his butt? Yes.

“Hey.”

Sage jumped in her seat, whirling around to look at whoever had interrupted herverysubtle appreciation of David Hughes’ ass.

An objectively good-looking man with a nice smile and a nice enough face lowered himself down onto the bench beside her. His business casual clothing was also…well, nice. It was all nice and he looked nice and Sage had never felt more indifferent about a man in her life.

When she didn’t respond immediately, the man fussed with his short black hair. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No thank you,” Sage said, already shaking her head. “I’m actually here with someone.”

Something in her stomach did a backflip at the admission. Because they weren’t here like that. He was David and she was Sage and they werefriends. Friends who shared tots and breakfast and dinner and couches.

“Oh,” the man offered her an apologetic smile. “That’s my bad. I hope you have a good night.”

As he stood up, Sage caught a glimpse of David walking back through the crowd toward their table. She watched his eyes dart over to the stranger, and saw the exact moment his eyebrows snapped together and his lips curved down into a scowl.

Maybe she was imagining it, but she thought he might have sped up as he walked back to her.

“Welcome back from your adventure,” Sage said as David sat down.

The frown hadn’t left his face. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

David let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to keep you from…” His voice trailed off.

Sage cocked her head to one side. “Keep me from…?”

“If you want to hang out with him I under —”

“I wasn’t interested,” Sage interrupted. Her cheeks heated, and she stabbed a tot and shoved it into her mouth.

“Oh.” David watched her, his expression blank.

“Do you date?” Sage winced. They’d officially departed fromsafe conversation topics to have with your very hot coworkerand her question didn’t help them get back on track. Not even a little bit.

David at least seemed like he was taking the question seriously. “I haven’t in a while,” he admitted, his eyes trained down at the decimated tray of loaded tots between them. “My last girlfriend was up in Chicago.” His gaze lifted to hers. “What about you?”

Sage almost choked on the bite she was currently chewing. “Date? Nope. Not my thing.”

---