Page 48 of Scoreless Nights

“Lil is amazing.” Those words were so easy because they were true, and I looked off towards the door to see if she was coming back yet.

“I always found value in a man that can commit to one woman. Do you think she’s the one?”

“She’s always been the one,” I said softly, as if I was telling myself more than I was telling him.

“Well, I bet you two make a great team. My wife and I have been married for forty-seven years, not sure where I’d be without her.”

Mr. Archer may have been happily married and pushing seventy years old, but each woman that passed us giggled and waved at him, then he returned their admiration with a wink. Was it his silver hair, or his deep pockets, that made everyone bat their eyelashes at him?

“Is she here tonight, sir?”

“She didn’t come down to Miami with me this time. She had a weekend planned with the grandkids, and I couldn’t blame her. If I had a choice that’s where I’d be too,” he winked.

When I finally saw Lily walking back, I walked away from Mr. Archer to meet her halfway and took her hand, kissing her knuckles and giving her another smile.

“I missed you.” I knew it was corny, but I really did miss her.

“I was only gone for ten minutes.”

“I just missed you,” I said deeper and lower, then led her toward Mr. Archer, who was watching, and waiting for us to return.

“There she is,” he crooned, his arms up for a hug that Lily didn’t seem to want to give him. She did, but I could tell she was uncomfortable, so I pulled her back into my arms, hoping to ease that awkward moment.

“Lillian, I would like you to meet Mr. Archer.”

“Mr. Archer, so nice to meet you.”

Fuck she was perfect, so poised and classy. She was unimpressed and professional at the same time, and I knew I had made the right decision by bringing her with me.

For another few minutes Mr. Archer, Lily, and I talked about Archer Athletics.

“Mr. Archer?” A short, redheaded woman approached him from behind. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes. Can we ask you to say a few words beforehand?”

“Of course,” he cleared his throat and fixed his tie. “Tell me where to go.”

She pointed to the front of the room, taking him away. It was the first time Lil and I had been alone since the night began.

“Are you okay?” she asked with concern, rubbing her hand on my back.

Smiling as I looked down at my feet, like I always did, I took a moment before I turned and faced her. Lifting my hand to her neck, I rubbed my thumb along her cheekbone in a caress. “You’re amazing.”

She shrugged it off, and gave me half a smile. “It doesn’t really feel like I’m pretending, Cruz. I’m just being honest when I speak. That’s what you told me to do.”

“Your honesty is perfect. Your truth is perfect.” She blushed and tried to move her head, but my hand was holding her in place as I stepped forward to get closer to her until there was no distance between us.

It felt like I should kiss her, but that was probably more than our fake date could handle. The lines were already being stomped on. Did I have it in me to stay on my side?

ChapterTwenty-Five

Lily

The night was surprisingly easy. Being with Cruz was easy. But maybe that’s because we weren’t lying to anyone other than the fact that we weren’t really a couple, so that helped with the ease of it all.

People were mingling around us, but it felt like we were completely alone. It felt like if it had been a real date, it would have been the moment Cruz would kiss me.

I took my hand to his, the one he had wrapped around my neck, and I held it close to me. I wanted to somehow tell him I was wanting him to kiss me without having to say the words because I wasn’t brave enough for that.

But then I saw his jaw tik a little and his hand fell from my neck. He backed up a few feet from me, and finally turned his eyes from mine. I didn’t know what else to say. I didn't know what to do. He seemed angry, and I was instantly glad that he didn’t give in to kissing me the way I hoped he would. Not if the mere thought made his mood change so abruptly.

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