The waiter comes by and takes our orders, but before he can leave, I stop him. “Make sure to bring horseradish with both of the prime ribs.”
I realize my mistake instantly when Baylor’s brow furrows. “How did you know Jules likes horseradish?”Fuck.
Feigning a touch of confusion, I shrug. “I thought that was how everyone ate prime rib.”
He nods grudgingly until he’s interrupted by a deep voice. “Well they just let anyone in this joint.” We all look up to see a grinning Axel Broxton standing next to our table with a beautiful redhead. Ax is a veteran tight end for the Fort Worth Wranglers and is touted by many as the best in the nation. I have to agree. The man is a beast on the football field.
Baylor laughs and stands, pulling Axel into a back-slapping hug. “You crazy sonofabitch. How are you?”
“Good. Just busy, you know? You remember my wife, Blaire.” He gestures to the redhead.
“Of course,” Baylor replies. “Holly and I have met her. She scoped my shoulder a couple years ago.” He turns to us and explains. “Dr. Broxton is the best orthopedic surgeon in the state.”
She nods humbly, and Baylor introduces Holly to Axel before gesturing across the table. “And this is my sister, Juliette McNamara.”
Axel’s eyes dart back and forth between the siblings, obviously clocking the lack of resemblance before telling Juliette, “You apparently got all the good looks in the family.”
We all laugh as Baylor rolls his eyes and nods at me. “And have you met Reno Swain?”
“Met him?” Ax asks. “We did a sports drink commercial together a couple years ago.”
I stand and give him one of those handshake-hug combos. “That was a fun one. How are the triplets by the way?” He brought his sons to the shoot, and they were so cute, the director gave them a small part in the commercial.
Blaire sighs with the kind of weariness that can only be achieved by the mother of three rowdy boys. “They are prepubescent and completely feral. Danica, our youngest, is the exact opposite. She’s nine, always with her nose in a book.”
“And your oldest?” Baylor inquires, and Axel beams.
“Carrie graduated high school and is about to start college at SMU. She was going on a basketball scholarship, but she got invited to try out for the women’s football team. Really impressed the coaches, so now she’s decided to try her hand on the gridiron.”
Juliette bounces in her seat. “Our little sister plays for SMU. Jordie McNamara.”
Axel’s blue eyes widen. “Jordie is your sister?” Baylor and Juliette nod. “Wow, she’s a freaking fantastic tight end.”
“I’ll tell her you said so,” Baylor says with a chuckle. “You’re her favorite player, so that will make her entire year.”
“She’s one of the top draft prospects for the new women’s professional league they’re starting,” Ax muses. “I hope I get to work with her one day.”
I lean forward and ask quietly, “Are you thinking about hanging up your cleats and going intocoaching?”
The footballer’s lips curve into a sly smirk. “I didn’t say that. But I didn’tnotsay that either.”
Blaire shakes her head. “My husband, Mr. Mysterious.” She loops her arm through his. “Ax is forty now, and his old bones aren’t what they used to be.”
“I thought you liked my bo—”
His wife shuts him up with a hand over his mouth before tossing us an apologetic look. “I’ll get him out of your hair, so you can enjoy your dinners without bone innuendos.”
After a round of laughter and goodbyes, the Broxtons find their table near the window.
I’m about to ask Juliette when her book is releasing, but I catch myself. How would I explain that I know she’s an author?
“So, Juliette,” I say instead. “You’re a librarian?”
She nods, and Holly pipes up. “She’s also an amazing romance author.”
I’m grateful for her input because now I can ask about Juliette’s upcoming book. “That’s really cool. Do you have anything new in the works?”
“My latest releases in two days,” she replies.
