Chapter Six
Linc
T he practice time with the pro players sent the kids into a stunned frenzy. Some of them were scared to play in front of the guys, some wanted to show off their skills. Either way, these kids will remember this practice for the rest of their lives, and I love that for them.
Their coach is wrapping things up, and my work is done, so I head back over to Melonie. She stands and slings her purse over her shoulder as I get closer.
“That was so great to watch! The kids were so excited.”
“Told you. You’re leaving already?”
“Oh, yeah. I have stuff to get done and plans later, so I need to get moving.”
“Are you going out with the girls?”
She averts her gaze from my eyes. “Um, no. I have a date.”
An unexpected tightness forms around my chest. “Oh. Well, I hope you have fun. Is he taking you somewhere nice?”
“We’re just catching a movie.”
“How many times have you been out with this guy?”
“This is the first time. Why do you care, Linc?”
“Movies for the first date is a horrible idea.”
Her brows pinch together. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re both staring at a screen. You can’t talk, you can’t get to know each other.”
“We know each other. He works in my building, so we’ve talked a few times and got coffee once.”
I shake my head at her. “Those are surface conversations. All I’m saying is, you get to know a guy better after a couple of hours. It’s hard to keep up an act for longer than a few minutes.”
“Linc, it doesn’t matter. If anything, it’s a free night out for me.”
“You deserve better than a twenty-dollar movie ticket, Mel.”
She pauses and starts to fidget. I might be making her uncomfortable, but damn it, she does deserve better.
“Well, if he asks me out for a second date, I’ll make sure he buys me a proper dinner. Happy?”
“At least that would be an improvement.”
She blows out an aggravated breath. “I’m heading out. Let me know if you need help with the tuxes.”
“Will do.”
She gives me a tight smile and turns to walk away. I watch her as she leaves, and suddenly, I’m jealous of some asshole who gets to take her out tonight.