Page 29 of On Her Team
“Who’s he?” Mila asks.
Penelope looks up from her book. “He’s very tall.”
Gage reaches us and I nearly step forward to hug him in greeting. I lock my limbs before I throw myself at him. I am not some football junkie.
“Hi, songbird.” He kisses my cheek. My skin tingles from the tiny contact. How would it feel if he touched more sensitive parts of my body with his lips?
“Are these your sisters?”
I clear my throat and force sexy thoughts out of my mind.
“This is Mila, and this is Penelope,” I make the introductions. “Mila, Penelope, this is Gage.”
“Do you know the sale of blood diamonds finances armed conflicts in Africa?”
I groan at Penelope’s question.
Gage frowns. “I do know about blood diamonds.”
Penelope holds up her book. “I’m reading about artificial diamonds.”
“Good.” He nods. “You’ll have to tell me your conclusions when you finish.”
“I will.” She sits down and returns to her book.
“And we’ve lost her for the next hour or so,” I mutter.
“I brought coffee for you and lemonade for your sisters.”
Mila claps at his announcement. “Strawberry?”
“Parker said it’s your favorite.”
“Her favorite she’s only allowed to have on special occasions,” I add.
“This is a special occasion. She gets to meet me.”
I roll my eyes. “Conceited much?”
“Making a friend is a special occasion.”
I sigh. He has a point. I’m not going to win this conversation. “Fine. She can have it and whatever treat you brought her. But don’t get mad when I phone you at two a.m. to complain she’s bouncing off the walls.”
“You can call me whenever you want.” His brown eyes darken and the green flecks sparkle as he meets my gaze. My body warms at the promise in his eyes.
Friends. We’re friends. Nothing more.
“Otis is playing,” Mila says and the spell is broken. “He’s my big brother.”
“He is?” Gage asks as he sits down next to me and hands out the drinks and treats.
“He’s the oldest at seventeen. Penelope is fourteen. And I’m eight.”
He widens his eyes. “You’re eight? I thought you were at least nine.”
Mila giggles. “You’re silly.”
The whistle blows to indicate the game is about to begin. Gage leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. His eyes are sharp as he focuses on the field.
