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We’d been so caught in our silent battle, the announcement had bypassed us altogether.

Ty cleared his throat, releasing me beneath the table.

“Right.”

His strangled acknowledgement made my lips twitch as I released my hand from his thigh.

If Ty moved a little woodenly toward the stage, his body turned away from our party, I was sure no one else noticed.

My heart stopped as the opening strains of “Simply the Best,” the instrumental version fromSchitt’s Creek, filled the small bar. After our playful battle earlier, I expected something equally campy from Ty in this go-round, but he surprised me with his choice.

His dark gaze steady on mine, he crooned the lyrics, and I couldn’t stop the tightening sensation around my heart.

“Oh, honey. This one’s a keeper,” Shelly whispered in my ear as the last strains trickled into the ether.

More than a few of our group swiped away tears. Granted, they were also the crew at our table who’d already finished three bottles of wine together, but it didn’t dull the sentiment.

My emotions felt too big for tears. Too big for the moment. The song was sappy and sentimental to the extreme, but also incredibly sweet. Nothing I would have imagined from the man who brushed off my first advance. Not the man who played hot and cold in the hall. This Ty seemed sure. Confident.

My eyes burned as he returned to the table, giving me a shy smile.

I resisted the desire to lay my head on his shoulder, aware of our witnesses, but I couldn’t help but return his smile with a grin of my own.

Ty Sheldon was going to get very lucky sometime soon.

Maybe not tonight, but soon. My heart demanded it.

Chapter 10 – Ty

I had whiplash from all the emotional extremes I’d put my body through. From a little horny under the table groping, to singing my heart out, Andi evoked it all. I’d surprised myself with the emotion that gripped my throat as I sang those first words to “Simply the Best.” I’d first chosen it as a troll, a way to tease her about our ongoing rivalry. But with every word, I realized our friendly competition had turned into so much more.

Andi had captivated me with her humor and intelligence. I loved the fire in her, her unwillingness to quit that had her going toe-to-toe with me at every opportunity. She didn’t give up, she didn’t give in, and she didn’t give a fuck, unless it was about those she loved. Unwaveringly loyal, she’d be a fierce defender and champion. A small thing like a career-ending sports injury wouldn’t make her falter.

I pushed away memories of Jess and old hurts, focusing on the woman in front of me.

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her up to my room for a private drink when Shelly broke into our moment.

“That was beautiful, Ty. Very nicely done. We’ll have to make this a tradition, as long as the trial lasts.”

Biting my lip to hold back a groan, I leaned back in my chair.

The trial.

An excellent reason for Andi and me to hold off taking our relationship further. Assuming it was what she wanted too. As much as I wanted to rush ahead, soaking up every moment together, our duty demanded we didn’t.

We’d done an admirable job avoiding talk of the trial so far. But every moment we spent together put the case at risk of a mistrial. Waiting until after the deliberations wouldn’t be the end of the world for us. It might wreak havoc on the hotel’s water bill for me to wait, but I could keep myself in check a few days longer.

Our group downed the last of their drinks , and pushed in chairs as we made our way to the elevators. Andi’s hip grazed mine as we made room for everyone going up, and I bit my lip, hoping the edge of pain would diminish thoughts of taking her to my room when we reached our floor.

She’d be sleeping, with only a single wall between us. Maybe naked.

All. Night. Long.

Her deep sigh next to me had me peeking to see if she looked as disappointed as I did about Shelly’s reminder of our obligations. I couldn’t commiserate under the watchful eyes of the others, but I wanted to.

“Good night,” she called softly as she swiped her key card.

She paused after pushing the door open, as if waiting.