Page 112 of Worth the Try
He brushes a curl from my face. “Promise me that no matter what comes our way, we’ll do it together. No more facing things alone. We’re a team.”
My heart swells. “A team.”
His eyes crinkle as he beams. “Always.”
“Always.”
Epilogue: Elodie
“We’re late,” I chide Ansel as we walk up the driveway.
“We wouldn’t have been if someone hadn’t decided to twirl around in a sundress,” he retorts, a grin plastered on his face. “I apologize for nothing.”
Rosalie walks between us, her little hands yanking us forward. “Comeon. You said that Tia was gonna be here!”
Ansel laughs. “She is. Go on if you want—Coach said to head straight through the side fence. Becareful!” he yells at her retreating back.
I wink at him. “I mean, youdidsay she could go on.”
“Didn’t think she’d take off at rocket speed,” he mutters.
“This, coming from the guy who sprints down the pitch like a madman?” I tease.
He takes my hand and pulls me to him, leaning down to plant a kiss on me before we get to the gate. “Behave,” he admonishes.
“Me? I’m not the one who needs to behave.”
He opens the gate and sketches a bow to wave me in. “One can never tell when you, Kari, and Allyson are all in one place.”
I giggle as I spy those very same women across the expansive lawn. I find Rosalie, who’s already grabbed the little girl whomust be Tia, and then blow a kiss at Ansel. “Guess I’ll go get into some trouble, then.”
Lennox approaches with a couple of bottles of water in one hand and a non-alcoholic beer in the other. He gives me a sweet smile before turning and offering Ansel his choice of beverage.
Across the yard, Kari and Allyson envelop me in hugs before turning to walk me to the picnic table filled with all manner of drinks. “Where’s Sam?” I ask.
“On her way,” Kari answers.
“Still can’t believe she’s going to be the team’s new physical therapist.” The other one left with the old coach, and the timing was too perfect.
“Now all we have to do is get Frank fired, and Kari can head up the PR division,” Allyson declares.
Kari lets out a derisive snort. “That will never happen. He’s in tight with the president.”
“Who’s not great,” Allyson says pointedly. “But he’ll do.”
I chuckle, then look around at the house. “So, this is the new coach’s place?” It’s big, sprawling to fill the massive yard with two stories and what’s probably a furnished attic.
Allyson raises an eyebrow. “You wanna know what I found out about him?”
Kari laughs. “Tell me you didn’t investigate him.”
“Tell me you think Ididn’t,” she counters, flipping her braids behind her shoulder. “Gotta make sure my Granite guys are covered.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a menace—and I love you for it.”
“Have you met him yet?” Kari asks. “He’s over there. Your man’s talking to him.”
I follow her direction. Sure enough, Ansel is on one side of him, and Lennox is on the other. He’s tall, easily the same height as the players, with broad shoulders and a trim waist. “He was definitely a rugby player,” I muse, taking in the muscled legs thatflex as he shifts in place. He seems at ease with himself, calm and cool, even though every person here is absolutely taking his measure.
