Page 58 of The Wedding Deal
“Interesting about how you two just work together,” Mom said after Lance winked at Charlotte, who was over by Stacy and her bridesmaids. Somehow she’d been roped into helping out with the rehearsal.
Not somehow exactly. She was organized and on task, and man, she was so pretty it almost hurt to look at her.
Lance reluctantly pulled his gaze off her and her red dress and turned to his mom. Another wedding and unborn grandchildren were dancing in her eyes, and he wanted to shut it down before she got carried away.
Or maybe more accurately, he didn’t want to shut it down as hard as he should, even though it was going to set them both up for failure. His mom and him, although he supposed it’d probably hurt Charlotte, too. That was thelastthing he wanted to do.
“I thought I’d done a good job picking women who might catch your interest, but I’m not too proud to admit that they would’ve paled in comparison to Charlotte. It’s not easy to find someone who’s kind, beautiful, and smart. Even more impressive, she can keep up with you.” Mom reached for a champagne flute the waiters were passing around. “Not just keep up with you but deal with your moods and give it right back.”
Champagne wasn’t his usual, but he grabbed a glass, too, just for something to do.
“You’re not denying it,” Mom said, and he sighed.
“How can I? She’s all the things you’ve said and more.” Hope he had no business entertaining bubbled up, and he worked to squash it. He lived in the real world. He wasn’t some wide-eyed young buck anymore who believed things would work out if love was involved. “But the timing’s off. My life… I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d be married to my job for the foreseeable future. It has to be my priority.”
“Understandable, I suppose. But that doesn’t mean you and Charlotte can’t continue to date and see where it goes.”
Continue to date—considering he’d had his arm wrapped around her when they’d arrived and he couldn’t stop staring and grinning at her like a lovesick loon, he could only blame himself that the jig was up. He hadn’t missed theI supposeshe’d added, either, which wasyou’re being an idiotin Mom language.
“Just look at your brother and how happy he is to be getting married,” she continued to push. “That doesn’t mean he’s not committed to his career or his team.”
“And I’m happy for him. But it’s different. He and Stacy met in college and have known each other for years. Plus, he only has himself and how he plays to worry about, not an entire franchise resting on his shoulders.”
“Are you worried it’ll get messy because of work, or are you scared of getting hurt again?” Mom placed her hand on his arm, and he had no choice but to look at her.
“I wouldn’t say I got hurt.”
She frowned. “Oh, come on, son. That last woman violated your trust. She talked to reporters and was more interested in attention than supporting you when you needed her most.”
He didn’t need to be reminded. Worse, when he’d told Sage his injury wasn’t healing as quickly or as well as it should and that he was afraid the doctors were right about him having to retire or risk losing the use of his knee, she freaked out. She was furious after discovering he’d told his coach to find a permanent replacement, and after he’d announced his plans to retire early, she’d slept with his fullback out of spite. The fact that his teammate had done it hurt more than anything she’d done. They were a team. He’d trusted both of them, but especially the guy who’d kept him protected on the field.
“Charlotte’s not like that woman,” Mom said.
“No, she’s not.” He knew it, but there was still a part of him that held back, just in case.
Since this was the very sort of thing he’d wanted to avoid—well, that and being set up on blind dates—he sought out Charlotte, and once their eyes met, he silently conveyed he could use a save or a block or something.
Ever great at reading cues, she strode over and linked her elbow in his. “Mind if I steal him away for a few minutes? I need a strand of lights adjusted, and while I might be tall enough in these heels if I also stood on a chair, that sounds like a broken neck waiting to happen.”
“Of course, dear,” his mom said, and as they started away, his cell buzzed in his pocket. He was fielding calls, doing his best not to constantly check his phone, but he slipped it out, just in case it was important.
Mom:You might think you got out of discussing you and Charlotte, but all you did was prove how well you can read each other, and that she’s there for you when you need her. Joke’s on you ;)
He didn’t know whether to sigh and shake his head or laugh.
Mom:Also, you’re not supposed to be checking your phone.
He glanced over his shoulder, and Mom gave him a smug smile. Charlotte followed his gaze. “Do I even want to know?”
“My mom adores you. Not like she’s made a secret of it.”
“And she’s pressuring you about us, and you needed an escape.” Her smile tightened, and while she tried to hold it, he could see it took effort.
He curled her to him and cupped her cheek. “No. I mean yes. What I mean is… You realize my life is crazy right now.”
“Of course.” Her glittery earrings caught the light as she swept back the section of hair that’d fallen over one eye. “My life is pretty crazy, too, you know. I got a new boss who’s brash and extra demanding, and he’s had me putting in a ton of overtime.”
He loved that she could make a joke about it, but he didn’t want her to think he was taking advantage of her, even if he probably was. “Sorry to hear that. Is there anything good about your new boss?”
