Page 46 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

“No.”

Silence stretches between us.

She fidgets with her linen napkin. “It means a lot to Nolan.Youmean a lot to him,” she admits.

I’ve gotten attached to him, which is the main reason I refuse to give it up.

“Tommy, my agent, doesn’t want me being tempted to put down roots in Maple Creek. There’s no money in it for him if I stay here. He gets his payday from me signing back on with the Arsenal or another big team.”

The server shows up with water and bread and takes our order. Anabelle and I both reach for our glasses at the same time, and our arms brush. Warmth washes over me the moment sorrow slams into my chest. How can I push her away when my feelings are this strong?

She shifts her arm away from mine a touch. “I filled up on muffins at Josie’s, so I probably don’t need all these carbs, but I can’t resist the bread here,” she rambles, smiling as she butters a roll. There’s something about watching this woman indulge that lights my insides on fire.

I wish I could give her everything. To wake up every morning and watch her enjoy her first cup of coffee for the day. What if there were a way I could protect my career and protect Anabelle and Nolan at the same time? Not that I have a clue how to do it. And with Jeremy acting territorial, Anabelle might shut me down anyway.

“Nolan deserves better from his dad,” I say.

“Did Nolan ever tell you his dad was the one who got him interested in soccer?” Anabelle asks.

“He did tell me that.” And now he’s dropped him. “At least he was around that long. I can’t say the same for my dad.”

Anabelle looks up at me with supportive eyes. “What happened?”

“I don’t like to talk about it much,” I begin. The words lodge in my throat. “He walked out on my mom when we were little. There were three of us kids. I’m the middle child.”

She sips her water before putting it back down. “And Jace?”

I nod. “He’s the youngest. And I have a sister. Hazel, the oldest.”

“Right. The one with the store.”

She remembered.

“Eventually, my mom got remarried, and my stepdad is great, but it doesn’t erase what my dad did.”

“You and Nolan have that in common.” It’s like she’s realizing it for the first time.

I nod. “It’s tough to watch what his dad is putting him through.”

“And now he doesn’t want you coming around Nolan.”

“He has every right to dictate what he does during his time with Nolan. But he can’t tell you who you can expose Nolan to. I mean, within reason.”

“Unless you have some hidden skeletons, you’re a trustworthy person,” Anabelle says.

“I never said I don’t,” I say with a straight face.

Anabelle raises her brow. “Are you about to confess something?”

“You never know. I can be a mysterious guy,” I say in a deep voice.

“Why does that make me want to become a detective?”

“I thought you said we couldn’t see each other after this,” I say.

“I can study you from afar,” she explains.

“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” I admit.

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