Page 3 of Penalty Box Kisses

"He’s in a jam," Mia explains. “The team wants him to settle down. Or at least appear to.”

I blink several times, trying to catch up with this conversation. “And how does that help me out with my mom?”

“Hear me out.” She sits forward. “If you pretend to be Ryan’s girlfriend, it gets the team off his back and your mother off yours.”

I blink at Mia. “Tell me you’re joking.”

She shakes her head, her hair wild around her face. “I’m not. Think about it, Rory. You show up at the barbecue with Ryan Coleman, and your mom will forget about fixing you up with every guy she can find.”

My mind is spinning. Ryan Coleman? I’ve seen his face on my Instagram feed enough times to know he’s all sharp jaw and angry glares. He’s trouble with a capital T, except apparently, now, he’s desperate for a ‘stable girlfriend,’ and I’m desperate for my mother to stop setting marriage traps. It’s almost poetic.

I grab a glass from the kitchen and pour it full from the bottle on the table. Then I take a long sip. “You honestly think this is going to work?”

Mia grins and clicks her glass to mine. “Hell yes. You do the public thing. You stand next to him and smile and act like you’re head over heels. He foots the bill, you get your mom off your case, and then in a few months, you break up and go back to being single and free.”

“All business,” I say, waving my hands. “No feelings. No actual dating.” I’m not necessarily against dating. I just want to do it at my own time.

Mia’s nodding fast. “Exactly. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.” I chew on my lip, considering it. The idea of a fake relationship feels… complicated. "I gave him your number. He’s going to text you about it," Mia says.

I don't have to wait long. Ten minutes later, my phone buzzes, and I glance down to see it’s an unknown number.

Unknown

This is Ryan Coleman. Mia said you might be willing to help me out of a tight spot. Can we meet at The Corner Brew on 4th? Tomorrow at noon?

The message is direct. No fluff. I like the directness. It feels like a relief after the linguistic gymnastics of dinner. I take a deep breath and jump in with both feet, my heart doing a strange, frantic little dance against my ribs.

Me

I’ll be there.

What am I doing? I’m just about to text him back and cancel when I get a message from my brother.

Tony the 2nd

Heads up. Mom found another prospect for you. Edward is old news.

That seals the deal. What will it hurt to meet Ryan Coleman and see what happens?

CHAPTER THREE

RYAN

I stride into the coffee shop, shoulders squared, eyes sharp. The place hums as hushed chatter fills the air, but I ignore everything and glance around. I don’t see anyone who fits the description Mia gave me, so I head over to the front counter to order a coffee.

After the barista hands me my cup, I head over and slide into the last booth in the corner. I’m blowing across the hot surface when the bell over the door jingles. Glancing up, I get the fucking shock of my life.

Holy shit.

For a second, I actually forget how to breathe. She’s five-foot-nothing of pure attitude, hips swaying under a deep red dress like she’s been sent to test every ounce of my self-control. Chocolate hair wild around her face, lips painted a dark red that makes my fucking brain short out. And those eyes? Blue as the summer sky, drilling right through my T-shirt and straight into places I usually keep triple-locked.

She scans the room until her eyes meet mine. I hold my breath as she walks right toward me. I’m on my feet before she’s halfway across the room, nearly knocking over my cup in my haste.

Her mouth curves, just a notch, like she knows I’m off-balance and fucking loves it.

"You must be Ryan," she tosses out, dropping into the chair across from me.

"Rory," I say. My voice sounds like it’s been dragged through a gravel pit. I extend a hand, then realize how formal it is and pull it back. I settle for gesturing to the empty chair. "Thanks for coming."