Chapter 15
Genevieve
The man sitting next to me is certain to attract attention from the hellcats of Evergreen Whisper Hall. I’m confident those sassy ladies will do whatever means necessary to be his highest bidders.
Ridiculous images flash through my mind, and a snort escapes. Luke's handsome face is turning every shade of red while those feisty old ladies fight over him like he's the last slice of pie at a church social.
“What’s so funny over there?”
Swallowing hard, I clear my throat. “Just thinking you’re going to spend a small fortune tonight looking… like that.”
I wince at how lame that sounded.
“Is that so?”
We pull up to the entrance, and the valet comes to pick up Luke’s keys.
Before he steps out, he murmurs, “Well, aren’t you lucky getting to be the highest bidder…”
Snapping my head in his direction, jaw hinged, he waggles his brows before sliding out of the car. My face flames.
The door next to me opens, and Luke extends his hand. Slipping my palm into his, heat spreads from the contact, familiar and unwelcome. “It’s going to be fun spending your money.”
For the second time in less than a week, I watch as Luke throws his head back and lets out a full, unguarded laugh that vibrates through me. I nearly fall flat on my face.
“Are you okay?” He grabs my elbow to steady me, concern lining his expression.
“I’m good. Just tripped on the bottom of my dress.” His gaze roams across my face, looking for any insincerity. Doing my best to keep my expression neutral for fear he’ll see how his nearness makes my heart hammer like a trapped bird, I add, “Truly. I’m fine. Are you ready to meet your fans?”
His grin falls as he looks up at the line of people standing outside the venue waiting, and I swear his face turns green. Sliding my arm through his, I lean into him and whisper. “ I promise, I won’t leave you alone.”
His brown gaze turns to me, the strain around the corners diminishing. “Thank you,” he murmurs, resting his hand over mine, sending my heart rate spiking. He blows out a deep breath and visibly relaxes. “Let’s get this over with.”
When we reach the group waiting, the majority are wearing surprised expressions, and when I look at Luke, I understand why.
‘Golf’s Grim Reaper’ is wearing a crooked grin. It’s adorable and breathtaking.
And just like that, my eyes are just as wide as theirs, and my mouth is forming the same small ‘o’ too.
We’ve been out here for at least fifteen minutes, and I can’t stop touching Luke. In my defense, he keeps checking over his shoulder to make sure I’m still standing next to him as he engages with fans who have a ton of questions about his new four-legged family member.
It’s easier just to keep my hand resting on his elbow so he can keep his focus on what he’s doing. At least that’s the reason I give myself. My skin tingles where we touch, warmth spreading from his arm against mine, but admitting how much I like it would be too risky.
“Sorry to disappoint you all,” J.B. calls over the crowd. “But we need to get Luke inside. He has a few responsibilities to attend to before the event begins.”
A collective groan falls, and the man beside me lets out a relieved sigh. “You were great,” I whisper, squeezing his arm before pulling my hand back.
“I was only able to do it because you were beside me.” His gaze captures mine, and the same softness from that last kiss stares back at me, stealing my breath.
“Okay, you two,” J.B. steps between us, a teasing tone in his voice. “Can we hold off on the cuteness until later?”
Heat floods my face, impossible to hide on this pale skin. I’m positive it’s a deep crimson, which only makes it feel even hotter. Luke’s voice is muffled, but I think he’s chastising his agent. All the while, my entire body feels as if it’s on fire, and all I want to do is hide.
This blushing thing is for the birds.
J.B. chuckles which has me wanting to give him a good shake. Imagine me thinking he was a good guy based on how his client talked about him. He’s the worst.
“I am a good guy,” he says, my head whipping in his direction. “I just believe in keeping things light.”
Luke pushes J.B. out of the way and rests his hand lightly on my back, guiding me toward a table that I can only assume shares the seating arrangements.
“I’m sorry about him.” Luke throws a thumb over his shoulder toward his agent again. “He has an extremely unnerving way of knowing what someone’s thinking. Don’t be surprised if something like that happens again.”
A female voice calls Luke’s name, and my stomach dips, jealousy coursing through me before I can get a grip on my thoughts. When I feel him gently pull me close and whisper, “That’s one of Fur-Ever Homes' volunteers. I need to talk with them. Can you grab our seats?”
Nodding, I stay where I am and watch him walk away.
“In all the years I’ve been working with Luke Nichols,” J.B. says, standing next to me, his voice filled with awe. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“What do you mean?” When I find the place cards with our names on them, I grab them and hand J.B. his.
“Normally, he’s tense and awkward with people he’s just met. He was the same with me at first. But as you can tell, I make myself comfortable right off the bat.”
Rolling my eyes, still smarting from how what he said embarrassed me, I turn toward Luke and watch as he chats with the volunteer.
It’s then that I notice his shoulders are inched up toward his ears, and his body seems stiff.
An overwhelming urge to go stand beside him overcomes me, but then J.B. speaks again.
“I’m not sure if it’s you, Bogey, or both.” Peeking at him from over my shoulder, the genuineness in his eyes catches me by surprise. “It’s not just tonight, it’s his game too. He’s been more focused, more relaxed. And if he keeps playing as he has been, he’s going to have an incredible season.”
My eyes focus back on Luke, brow furrowed as I process what the man next to me just said. “Doesn’t he always have a great season?”
A light chuckle comes from behind me. “Follow his career much?”
When I turn and glare at him, he throws his head back and laughs. Drawing the attention of those around us. “In the beginning,” he continues to stare at me, eyes narrowed. “Fine. I’ve followed his career.”
The corner of his mouth curves up, and I roll my eyes again, feeling exposed. “When I found out his nickname, I got a bit of pleasure from it, thinking he was miserable. But when I realized it was because he was unflappable on the course, I felt betrayed all over again.”
J.B.’s smile is so wide and smug that I’m tempted to smack it off his face. He sees it all.
The truth I hid from everyone, especially me. Over the years, despite my better judgment, I always wanted to know how he was doing. Because part of me wished he were miserable and missing me terribly. I wanted his nickname to reflect that.
But nooooo, it meant he was thriving without me.
“Luke’s not one to open up and talk about his feelings, Genevieve, and I know he told you I was the reason he got a dog, but you should know something.” Luke wasn’t lying about his agent. This ‘mind-reading’ trick is a tad creepy. More than a tad. “I told him to get a cat.”
Glancing back at him, he shrugs, stating the obvious. “A dog is much more work when it comes to traveling. And he travels a ton. I’m glad he didn’t listen to me.” He nudges me gently and grins.
Kit's words about the forum and what J.B. just said about suggesting the cat have my head spinning. Because if what they’re saying is true, then Luke really did do all of this to see me again.
And if he did it to see me again, it could only mean one thing…
I glance back and see Luke making his way toward us. His walk is slow, deliberate, almost careful, like he’s carrying something fragile.
When his gaze meets mine, brown and warm, the tenderness in it makes my ribs squeeze.
And when the corner of his mouth turns up, every emotion I’d been working to hold in check rushes over me, making it very clear that my heart is at a precipice.
“Were you able to find our seats?” Luke’s voice breaks through my pounding heart, barely audible, and I nod,d showing him the place card. “Great. Ready to go?”
He hasn’t taken his gaze from my face, and my body is frozen as the flood of emotions leaves me speechless. When his brow pulls together, and concern once again fills his eyes, I clear my throat, and I force myself to smile.
“Ready.” Again, he searches my face, and I slip my arm through his in an attempt to turn the focus. “I’m fine. Let’s go sit down and enjoy the time before the auction.”
That reminder has the desired effect, and I feel the muscles under my hand tense slightly. I give his arm a gentle squeeze and a smile that I hope doesn’t wobble.
His shoulders relax, and he places his hand on mine. The touch sends my heart soaring off the cliff.
I’m so not fine.