Page 31 of Sideline Sweetheart
“You too, son.”
Bryce reaches for my hand, and I move to his side. “Mom, Dad, this is Mackenzie Flynn. These are my parents Dean and Lola Coban.”
I smile easily as I greet them. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”
Bryce’s mother steps forward only to stop before reaching me and says, “I’m not sure if Bryce told you, but I’m a hugger, but if you’re not, I’ll respect your personal space.”
The hand Bryce has resting on my hip squeezes gently and I lean into his side in response. “Mrs. Coban, I’d be honored to receive one of your hugs.”
The tension in her shoulders ease and a smile lights her face as I step forward into her embrace. She gives me a tight squeeze before stepping back and then threads her arm through mine as she begins walking us to the entrance of the hotel. “Tell me, Mackenzie, how did the two of you meet?”
I glance over at Bryce, and he winks at me before he and his dad fall instep behind us. “Well, after my first day of work, some of the staff insisted I join them for a drink and Bryce walked in to pick up his dinner. He stopped by our table and one of the guys introduced us.”
Bryce and his father stand in front of us as he gives the valet the ticket and we wait for our car. His eyes are locked on mine as I continue. “What they failed to tell me was he was one of theplayers. So, you can imagine my surprise when he walked into my office when I was meeting with each member of the team individually.”
Bryce’s dad chuckles. “Oh, I can imagine.”
“In all fairness,” Bryce says as he moves to reclaim me from his mother. “They didn’t tell me she was the new doctor either.”
His dad moves to his wife’s side and they both laugh at their son's expense and the thought of him being pranked.
“I’m glad you both find it so funny,” he says amusement clear on his face.
Mr. Coban claps his son on the shoulder. “Well, son it looks like it worked out well enough for you.”
Bryce grins. “Yes, sir,” he says before hitching his thumb in my direction. “But she didn’t make it easy for me.”
“Oh poo,” his mom says giving me a devilish smile. “I find it hard to believe this sweet girl would give you a hard time.”
I fight a grin as Bryce’s mouth drops open. “Are you kidding me? You’ve known her five minutes.”
Mrs. Coban lifts her chin. “I’m a good judge of character young man.”
“Well, actually,” I say as the valet pulls the car up. “He asked me out once a week for a month before I agreed.” I lean in and mock whisper, “Your son is very persistent.”
She sighs and gives a slight roll of her eyes. “Oh honey, don’t I know it.”
I follow Bryce around to the driver’s side and he opens the back door for me. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
I smile up at him as I tease, “So much.”
Bryce grins and drops a kiss on my lips, closing the door behind me as I duck inside the car. He takes his place behind the wheel, pulls out onto the highway and navigates the car through the streets of Colorado Springs to the restaurant.
Chapter Nineteen
Bryce
I don’twhen I’ve seen my parents smile more. Mackenzie was utterly charming from the moment we entered the lobby until we walked my parents to the elevator after arriving back at the hotel. As the elevator doors slide closed, I tip Mackenzie’s chin up and kiss her. “You were phenomenal tonight.”
She smiles softly up at me. “I’m not sure phenomenal is the word I’d use.”
Of course she wouldn’t, Mackenzie Flynn is much too humble to describe herself in such a way. “Well, fortunately, I would. And judging by the way my phone is vibrating, my parents agree.”
She threads her fingers with mine as we make our way to the hotel bar so she can meet the, as Cassie calls them the Significant Others Club.
“Your parents are amazing. Thank you for introducing me to them.”
“Don’t thank me yet, Mom is probably in their room right now adding you to a group text.”
