Page 85 of Romancing the Grump
You DO look nice though. You know how to wear a suit, Bruiser.
Nathan
You’re not so bad yourself. You look good in Appies colors.
I look down at the Appies jersey I’m wearing with my favorite jeans.
Summer
You think? I’ve got this (fake) boyfriend who plays on the team. I’m wearing his jersey.
Nathan
Turn around and let me see.
Summer
If this is just an excuse to check out my butt, I’m fake breaking up with you.
Nathan
Summer. Let me see my name.
His text hits me like a punch to the gut. Because those words don’t feel fake. And the smoldering look in his eyes doesn’t either.
Summer
FINE, Mr. Bossy Pants.
I send my reply, then turn, pulling my hair over my shoulder so Nathan can see his last name written across the back of my jersey. When I look back, his smoldering look has shifted into something different. Somethingmore.
Summer
Now who’s staring?
Nathan
Can’t help it.
Nathan looks up from his phone as someone gestures, giving him what looks like a two-minute warning. He nods, his jaw tightening, and a pulse of nerves pushes through me.
I quickly pull out my phone, wanting to text him something that might ease some of the tension I know he has to be feeling. It only takes a second to decide what to say.
Summer
Hey, did you hear about the Zamboni driver who disappeared?
Nathan reads the message, then looks up, meeting my eyes. I grin, then send him one more message.
They hope he resurfaces soon.
I bite my lip as I watch for Nathan’s reaction. He shakes his head, rolling his eyes in a way the joke absolutely deserves, but his eyes are smiling, so I’m counting that as a win. As he slips his phone into his pocket and follows the woman ushering him toward the first interviewer, he gives me the tiniest nod, and it feels like a thank you.
I keep my eyes glued to him as he makes his way down the red carpet. As he finally nears the end of the line, Parker nudges me, her phone lifted. “Hey. Scoot a little closer to the rope?”
“What? Why?”
She nods toward the portable bleachers set up for the fans on the opposite side of the red carpet. “You’ve been spotted by fans. I bet they’d love to see Nathan say hello before he goes inside.”
