Page 54 of Second-Rate Superstar

Warmth spread through my chest, and my brain screamed to kiss her, but I knew it was too soon. She wasn’t ready, even if I was.

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there staring at each other in silence before she asked, “What time should I be ready?”

“I’m actually going to be running a little bit behind. If you don’t mind being late, I can get you around two, or you can head over yourself at noon. It tends to be an all-day affair.” I chuckled. “We don’t often get full days off during the season, so go figure, we’d want to spend most of it with each other. But I guess, in a way, the team is like our family, right?”

Dakota cut her gaze to the floor, and she pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly. “Right,” she whispered.

Confused and terrified that I set us back, not knowing what I’d done wrong, I reached out a hand to touch her but dropped it halfway there. “I’m sorry.” It was the only thing I could think to say.

Dropping her chin to her knees, her gaze held mine. “It’s fine. You have somewhere else to be?”

Oh God. With her perception of athletes, Levi in particular, she probably thought I was stringing her along, double dipping on the holiday with another woman.

Eager to set her mind at ease, I shouted, “No!” When she shrank back, I realized my mistake. Running a hand over my face, I tried again. “Yes, I have somewhere to be, but it’s not what you think.” Taking a deep breath, I explained, “I help serve a meal at the Hartford Community Soup Kitchen downtown. That’s why I can’t make it here to get you until two.”

Blinking at me, she asked, “You’re serving Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen?”

“Yeah.” I dipped my head. “I’ve been blessed to always have a roof over my head and food in my belly. It’s important to give back to those who are less fortunate. Most of the guys on the team can write checks to support worthy causes, but for now, I can only volunteer my time. It’s not much, but it’s something. Or, at least, I hope it is.”

“Can—” Her words had my head snapping up, and she paused. “Can I come with you?”

Hope bloomed in my chest. “Of course. I’d like that.”

The tiniest corner of her lips turned up, and she replied, “Then it’s a date.”

The air whooshed from my lungs. Was I dreaming? Had she really just said that? Was she finally giving me a chance?

Dakota’s smile grew wider at my physical response. “Finally managed to render him speechless. Point for Dakota.”

Not wanting to press my luck, I pushed off the ground, shoving both hands in my pockets. Flashing her with a wink, I replied, “Pick you up at nine on Thursday.”

Leaving her bedroom, I fist-pumped the air as soon as I was out of sight.

This was it. Dakota had opened the door the tiniest crack. It was up to me to get her to throw it open wide and let me inside.

Chapter 13

Dakota

Braxton picked me upas promised and drove us downtown to the food kitchen. It had been two days, but I was still in shock that this was how he chose to spend his morning and early afternoon on Thanksgiving. There had been subtle hints he wasn’t like the rest, but I still never saw it coming. Maybe I hadn’t wanted to see it—a defense mechanism of sorts.

But now, there was no denying that Braxton was a good man, profession be damned.

Helping me out of the car, the picture of the perfect gentleman, he kept hold of my hand as we walked down the sidewalk to the entrance to the building. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the feel of his warm palm against mine. It provided a comfort I didn’t know I needed and now craved.

Pushing on the door, he held it open for me to enter before him. The bustle of activity shocked me the second I stepped inside. We’d gone from city sidewalk to busy kitchen in the blink of an eye.

People who I assumed were fellow volunteers were hard at work. All hands were on deck, and I wondered how many would be fed today in thislocation. I knew firsthand how much these meals meant to people down on their luck and struggling for one reason or another.

A woman saw us standing in the doorway and rushed over, a smile on her face. “Well, look who it is!” Her eyes cut to me. “And you’ve brought a friend.”

Braxton placed a hand on my lower back, addressing the woman. “Heather, this is Dakota. She asked to join me today, and I know you’d have my head if I turned down an extra set of hands on the busiest day of the year.”

Heather beamed at Braxton before turning that smile on me. “Welcome, Dakota. And he’s right. Extra hands are always appreciated. Especially today.”

Smiling back at her, I replied, “Happy to help.”

“Wonderful.” She clapped her hands. “Let’s get you both to work. The doors open at eleven, and there’s still tons to do before then!”

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