Page 42 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

He puts a finger to his lips and gestures around to the people trying to eat. But it’s a joke really because we’re their entertainment for the night. We’re hardly disturbing them. In fact, the guy two tables down thought it was so funny he decided to film the entire thing.

I shoot him a look. Not a fan.

He lowers his phone but keeps smirking like we’re the pre-dinner entertainment.

Great.

The server comes back with our drinks, saving the day. Because now I can focus on my water and pretend none of that happened.

“Sorry, we’re still not ready to order,” Anabelle says. “We were a little distracted.” She laughs nervously.

“That’s fine,” the server says in her bubbly voice. “Take all the time you need.”

She twists away rapidly, and the tray she has tucked under her arm knocks into my beer, dumping it forcefully into my lap.

Her eyes go wide with shock and horror. “I’m so sorry, sir. I’ll get this cleaned up right away.” She could be training for a marathon with how fast she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Let me help.” Anabelle takes the napkin from her silverware and starts wiping down my lap before freezing over me midair. “On second thought. Maybe you should do this part.”

I grunt my agreement. Could this night get any more awkward?

The server is back now with a stack of napkins like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. “I’m so sorry. Mr. Hadley has agreed to comp your dinner tonight.”

“We’ll take it to go,” I say.

THIRTEEN

ANABELLE

“Anabelle,I heard you’ve given up on being single,” Layla says over a cup of coffee at Josie’s.

I snort, wrapping my hands around my iced latte. “Says who? I’m still very much single.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Aubrey says with snark.

The girl knows how to get under my skin. I can’t help but love her anyway.

“My mom’s friend works at the stadium, and she told my mom she saw you leaving with one of the Roanoke Forge soccer players after the game the other day.”

“Your mom’s as bad as Aubrey’s,” I say before taking a sip.

“This is how they entertain each other,” Aubrey says. “When those two get together, I never know what I’ll hear next.”

“When you were getting together with Will, all I heard from you was how much your mom was driving you nuts,” I point out to Layla.

“I’m not excusing her behavior. I’m only relaying information and wanted to verify the facts,” she says diplomatically.

“I feel like we’re getting off topic,” Aubrey says. “The real question is, how is the romance going?”

“It’s going nowhere,” I admit. “We’ve decided to stay friends.”

“Why?” Layla asks. “Are you not compatible?” She sounds so disappointed.

My cheeks heat.The chemistry is undeniably there. Not that I’m going to divulge that information to them. They’re so starved for information, they could start their own gossip column at the local paper. “There are a few reasons. One, I’m worried about Nolan being so closely involved with him being his mentor. And Lucas isn’t planning to stick around.” The last thing I need is to get involved with a guy who’s going to leave Nolan like Jeremy did. These may be the generic answers I tell people, but it goes even deeper. The truth is, I’m scared I won’t know how to be in a healthy relationship. Or if that kiss was good chemistry or the start of something real. I’m not even sure I know what love looks like anymore. What if I mess it all up? What if I fall for him, and it’s only real for me?

“You could always follow him,” Layla suggests.

“I can’t leave Maple Creek. This is my home. What if I uproot everything and end up in Atlanta or who knows where, and then we break up? I’d have no store and no income.”

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