Page 47 of Off the Mark
I swallowed, pretending to think it over. Then said, “Tina is my new god.”
He laughed. “Consider yourself worshiped.”
I ducked my head to eat—and to hide the flush rising up my face. We were comfortably quiet for a few minutes, with the occasional stray glance, until I felt him nudge my arm.
“About the food that you donated the other day,” he said, “Dean’s moms, Midge and Maria, brought it to the older queer seniors they know at The Lavender Center. Apparently it was a big hit, lots of people bringing home lots of food that needed it. They wanted me to thank you again and to tell you that you’re an ‘actual fucking angel.’ Direct quote.”
That startled a laugh from me. “They don’t need to thank me. I’m glad it worked out for your neighbors.” I set my fork down, pushing away my empty plate. “The day that I came to the center was intense, since I was storming in to ask you to”—I lowered my voice— “fake date me, completely out of the blue. But it left an impression. It felt like a home in there. Like safety and community. It felt like you, Rowan.”
Then I busied myself with drinking my coffee and watching the local news on the TV, mounted to the wall. Anything to avoid the fond warmth that virtually poured from Rowan’s body language.
I didn’t have a place like the rec center when I was growing up. We were so far out past town, just me and my dad. Or, more accurately, it was the two of us plus the tangible absence of my mom and heavy loss of my dad’s career. For being so lonely, it sure was crowded.
“You should come by and meet everyone on 10th Street, where I grew up. My grandmother would love the hell out of you.”
I reluctantly met his gaze. “But they don’t even know me.”
He tipped forward like he was sharing a secret. “You’ve got a Philly energy they’ll love. And that’s a compliment.”
I cocked my head, lips twitching. “You’re gonna need to explain before I decide if it’s actually a compliment.”
“You’re tough as fucking nails. Honest. Fearless, clearly. And you can hold your liquor. They’ll welcome you with open arms while doing the Eagles chant.”
Tina rushed past, scooping up my plate and mopping the spot in a blur. “Are you saying that Alice hasn’t met you yet? You ain’t got shit to worry about. She’ll see how you two look at each other and set the wedding date herself.”
She didn’t wait for a response, just whirled around with a coffee pot, refilling the mugs of other customers. I blinked, noticed that winglike flutter in my belly and the deep blush on Rowan’s cheeks.
“Fearless, huh?” I managed, trying to keep it light.
“I always thought so,” he said roughly.
The charged air between us felt much too dangerous, so I pulled out my phone and tapped open the list of events I’d made for us to go over.
“Should we discuss our plans for the next couple weeks? We don’t have much time to pull off those miracles.”
His face darkened, but he nodded and said, “That’s why we’re here.”
I tipped the screen his way. “Tomorrow night is the press event. I’ll be up on stage with ten other riders, answering questions from reporters in the audience. Fans can attend, vendors will be there, and sponsors also. Having you come with me would be huge, although I don’t always have the best relationship with reporters. My dad didn’t either.”
“Are they dicks to you?”
“Well…I flip them off. A lot.”
His lips quirked up. “I’m assuming they deserved it.”
“Yeah, they were being dicks.”
“Sounds like athemproblem,” he said, smiling fully now. “What’s your plan for tomorrow night, though?”
I pulled on the ends of my ponytail. Shrugged one shoulder. “Since my reputation needs a glow-up, and you’ll be trying to convince the rich people there to trust you, the last thing I want ismorebad press when you’re also linked to me. And I can’t afford it with Bettencourt there.”
I bared my teeth at him, chin high like I was on display. “Does this look like the polite, natural smile of a professional athlete on her best behavior?”
Rowan examined every angle of my face with teasing interest. “Fuck me, you look like America’s Dirt Bike Sweetheart, but with full tattoo sleeves. That nice boyfriend of yours has had arealpositive impact. Howdoeshe do it?”
“By being my most annoying friend.”
“Don’t you mean hottest?”
