Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
She rolls her eyes. “I just want your team to like me because you are the head coach. A good and happy coach means a good and happy team. I don’t want to be a Yoko Ono or people thinking I’m a distraction.”
I snort. “You’re no Yoko Ono, and I seriously doubt people are wondering about those things when they meet you.”
Ava’s face turns toward me, her expression serious. “No, but they are looking at you as a widower. Maybe they think you’re vulnerable or not in a position to date. It’s a lot of pressure.”
That gives me pause and I can’t disagree. People tend to define me as a widower even if I don’t. “Enough pressure to make you want to run?”
Thankfully, I’m rewarded with the bright Ava smile I’ve become used to. She shakes her head. “I am quite sure I’ll get through the nervousness. I’m not running.”
I grin. “I’d like to pull you into my arms and kiss you right now, but these big paws will get in the way.”
“How about I come to you, then?” she murmurs as she angles toward me. Her lips are soft upon mine, and she pulls back far too quickly, intent on only giving me the tiniest taste.
I’m more adept with these massive furry paws than I thought because I have her up off the edge of the trunk and one of them at the back of her head to kiss her hard.
She tries to push away, and I laugh against her mouth. “Are you afraid of a little PDA?”
“I wasn’t sure if you were into that sort of thing,” she whispers, her lips against mine. I feel them curve into a smile just before I pull back.
“I’m into all kinds of things when it comes to you,” I assure as my arms fall away to allow space between us. “You and I got hot and heavy very fast. It’s going to be a shock for some people that we’re dating, but just remember… we are, in fact, dating.”
“Got it,” she says, and to my surprise clutches the front of my costume and pulls me to her for another kiss.
A coughing sound pops our little bubble, and Ava jerks back from me. I turn my head lazily to see Brienne Norcross standing there, and for a moment, I’m struck absolutely dumb.
She’s dressed as Hela from the movie Thor: Ragnarok. And when I say she’s dressed like her, I mean her costume looks like it came straight from the movie’s costume department. She’s wearing a black wig with silver streaks and heavy eye makeup, and if you didn’t know any better, you might mistake her for Cate Blanchett.
“You going to introduce me?” she asks with a grin, her eyes cutting to Ava.
“Absolutely I am, but I have to say, your costume looks so authentic, I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me this was the original from the film.”
Brienne laughs. “Jenna found it for me. I don’t even know who in the hell I’m supposed to be.”
How could she not know who Hela is? Before I can educate her on the Marvel universe, she extends her hand to Ava. “Hi… I’m Brienne Norcross.”
“Ava Cavanaugh,” she says as they shake.
“I’m the owner of the Titans,” Brienne adds.
“I’m an unemployed barista,” Ava quips, and both ladies laugh. It’s just the icebreaker Ava needed.
I slip my arm around Ava’s waist and pull her into me, one fat paw resting on her opposite hip. “Ava was working at the coffee shop I used to frequent but she’s starting a new job soon in marketing.”
Brienne’s gaze cuts back and forth between us, a smile softening the hard angles of the expertly applied makeup. “You met at a coffee shop? That’s seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I went in just about every day because I thought she was pretty, and I wanted to talk to her. I tried flirting, but apparently my skills weren’t that great. It took a lot longer than it should have to get the nerve to ask her on a date.”
“But here you are,” Brienne quips.
“Here we are,” I agree.
Turning to Ava, my boss says, “It was a pleasure meeting you, and I’d love for you to join me in the owner’s box at the next home game. I’m sure Cannon has a great ticket for you but come hang out with me instead.”
Ava looks at me with uncertainty, because I hadn’t had a chance to tell her that I do have a ticket for her. In fact, I’ve got one for all the home games. “You should enjoy the game in the box with Brienne. It’s a gorgeous view, and you’ll have great food and liquor.”
“Plus, you can keep me from becoming bored with some of the businessmen who will be there wanting five minutes of my time to discuss some deal.”