Page 8 of The Linebacker

Yep. She’d definitely eyed his junk. And it was responding exactly as he’d expect. Damn it.

“Look, I get it. You’re a one-and-done girl. You told me this up front, remember? And honestly, between that and assuming you were Jalen’s girlfriend?—”

“What?”

“What do you mean, what? Don’t tell me you’re missing the part where he acts like a caveman whenever you’re around.”

“No, I’m fully aware of that. It’s the whole girlfriend thing I’m trying to figure out.”

“When we played you guys—I mean, when the 49ers played us—he and I were constantly chirping at each other. And he led me to believe the two of you were dating. In fact, I thought you had cheated on him with me. Which isn’t cool, by the way.”

“Well, I’m glad you think cheating isn’t cool, but Jalen and I have never dated. We would never date. He’s a great guy, he’s just…not for me.”

“What’s your criteria? What kind of guy is for you?”

Why was he even asking this question? He was supposed to be keeping her at arm’s length for the sake of the team.

Diana laughed. “The kind of guy who’s satisfied with one night and doesn’t bring it up again afterward.”

“Ouch.”

“Sorry.” She shook her head. “It’s been a long day. Look, can we start again?”

She thrust out her arm. “Hi, I’m Diana, the team’s PR manager.”

He cupped her much smaller hand and shook it. “Amil. I’m the new linebacker.”

“Nice to meet you, Amil. I think we will work just fine together. So long as we keep things strictly business.”

He sighed. “Fine. Does business include giving me the name of a local person who can give me advice on where to start looking for a house? I need to find a more permanent living situation than the Hilton.”

“The Hilton is lovely, but I understand what you are saying. And as it happens, I can help you with your living situation.”

He waited for her to explain.

She tapped her own chest. “I can show you around town. I’ve been here for six years and have helped half the team find their dream home. I’m starting to think I should be moonlighting as a real estate agent.”

“Are you sure about this? That’s potentially a lot of time we could be spending together.”

“It is. And I think it’s perfect. We can get to know each other in a more vertical sort of way.”

“Vertical?”

There went the hand flap again. “You know, like, sex is horizontal, everything else is vertical.”

He managed to resist pointing out that two years ago they’d had the best vertical sex he’d ever had in his life.

Instead, he nodded. “Vertical. Friends. Or at least associates.”

“Friends,” she said. “I think we can be friends.”

He’d take what he could get at this point. And, honestly, spending time with Diana, even if it was non-sexual vertical time, sounded pretty damn divine.

Bonus if she helped him find a house.

“Is today too soon to start?” he asked. “Or do you have plans?”

“No plans,” she said, pulling out her phone, no doubt to double-check that statement. “But I do need to run home first. My cat gets very unhappy if his dinner is late.”