Page 61 of Press Your Luck

I put my arm on his shoulder, glad that he didn’t shrug it off. “He’s our mascot.”

“Will you be dressing like a Buckaroo?”

Porter made a face, and I laughed. The reception person handed me a key card. As much as I’d have liked to have stayed and talked with Naomi, it was time to go or it would be obvious that I had the hots for her. “Best of luck to you and your team.”

"Thanks, Pierce. You too." She flashed me a smile. A real one. It made my heart sing.

“Do you like her?” Porter asked as I guided him to the elevator.

“As much as you can like a rival team coach,” I said.

“No, I mean like her, like her. Like a girlfriend.”

We stepped into the elevator, giving me time to come up with an answer. “Why would you ask that?”

He shrugged. “She’s pretty.”

Inwardly, I laughed as I poked the button to our floor. My son had inherited my taste in women.

“So, do you? You smile funny when you talk to her.”

God, even my kid could notice. “I think she’s a nice person, Porter. That’s it. Friends.” I hoped I was able to hide the truth. And how much longer was it going to be like this? When would I stop thinking about her and wanting her?

We arrived on our floor, exiting the elevator and walking to our room.

“Can I do the key?” Porter asked.

“Sure. You just press it against this part over the handle.” I handed him the card, but I muffed the transfer and it fell to the floor.

As he picked it up, Naomi appeared at the door next door.

"Hey, again," she greeted us casually.

“Are you next door?” Porter asked.

“I am. It looks like we're neighbors."

"Seems that way.” I didn’t know what to think. A part of me liked the idea of her next door. But then I remembered I couldn’t act on it. I couldn’t sneak in to see her, to kiss her, to touch her until she was screaming my name. Knowing that, having her next door was torture.

"I guess I’ll see you later at the press conference,” she said as she opened her door.

“I’ll be there with bells on.”

Porter finally got our door unlocked. “What does that mean?”

I followed him in. “It means I’ll show up with enthusiasm.”

“I think you like her,” Porter said. Fortunately, I didn’t have to respond as the room took his attention away from me and Naomi. “Cool.” He darted from one corner to the other, exploring every nook and cranny while I watched him. It was something to see the world through his eyes, especially something he’d never seen before. It made me want to give him more experiences.

“What’s in here?” He’d already opened the closet and bathroom doors. “Why’s there another door without a handle?”

I walked over to where he stood, examining the adjoining door that connected our room with Naomi's. "That door leads to the next room.” I hoped my voice didn't betray my own unease at the thought of being so close to her. "If the people in both rooms wanted to share a bigger space, they can open their doors."

"So we could share with Coach Naomi?” Porter asked.

"Technically, yes. But they can also stay closed when you’re not sharing.”

Porter shrugged and then was exploring the room again, poking the remote buttons, opening the drawers, and jumping on the bed.

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