Page 38 of Fierce-Jax

He had tan pants on, brown shoes, she couldn’t see much more than a checkered multi-colored collar peeking out of his black fleece that he had zipped up with his backpack over one shoulder.

His face was clean-shaven again, his hair trimmed and styled well but not with a ton of product.

He was stylish without being over the top.

It amazed her at how someone as good-looking and friendly as him was still single.

She supposed many said the same about her, but she had her reasons.

He probably did too.

“Or we could take it as things are working in our favor not holding us up,” she said.

“I like that thinking,” he said. “All set?”

“I am,” she said, turning to set the alarms and locking the door.

They walked out together and to the elevator. Not talking as they normally did, but there were many people around and they hadn’t said whether or not this was going to be a secret.

Guess it was going to be one of those things they’d talk about tonight.

In the elevator, they were packed in, no one talking, him close to her body, their shoulders touching, her body heating and telling her she was definitely ready for this date.

At least her body was.

But nothing would happen any time soon.

She was lucky she could sneak out for a date for an hour. Finding time alone was a heavy task to complete.

When the doors opened on the first floor, they piled out with everyone else, walked to their cars, and drove to the restaurant they were meeting at a few miles away.

The silence was getting to her ten minutes later while they waited to be seated.

The minute they were, she opened her mouth, but he beat her to it. “I don’t want this to be awkward.”

“Me neither,” she said, snorting out a laugh.

“I know you’ve got Gianna as your priority and you have to work around her. I have no problem with that and completely understand. Roni didn’t date for years for that very reason, so I know firsthand.”

“Roni?” she asked. “Who is that?”

He frowned. “My sister. Roni Davenport. Used to be Roni Hollister. She’s the property manager for Fierce. I thought you knew. I figured one of the Fierces would have brought it up during their push on how well they do matching people up.”

She laughed. “They said they set up Roni, but they never said she was your sister. Oh my God, I can see the resemblance now. And Eli, that’s her son.”

He smiled. “Yes. Sorry. I thought it was common knowledge, though few of my staff are aware. I’m afraid if they knew they would call Roni for stupid things.”

“I can see where it might be an issue,” she said. “So your sister got set up too.”

“I’m sure you know a lot of the players,” he said. “Starting with all their kids.”

“I have heard bits and pieces,” she said. “Carolyn was my elementary school teacher. I still call her Mrs. Fierce when I see her. Now it’s to annoy her. Mean of me, I know, but I can’t help it at times.”

He laughed. “Good for you. I don’t know them that well other than through Roni. I’ve spent more time with the men getting my space ready. Their tossing my name around shocked me. I don’t like being set up.”

She leaned back in her chair when the server came over to place their water glasses down and take their drink orders, tell them the specials, and then walk away.

“Then why did you agree to this?”