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CHAPTER ELEVEN

FRESH AIR

PENN

After seeing Addy all week at work, I feel like I’m missing out over the weekend. The way she eyed me in her office gets me hot just thinking about it.

I smile, remembering the way she calls me Preacher Man.

No, I will not get distracted by her cute and clever sass.

I check my phone again, hoping for a missed call or a text. Nothing. Just my own reflection staring back at me on the black screen. I’m not even sure she has my number. Oh that’s right, she does…I just don’t have her number. I wonder how I could get it…

Fuck. It’s official. I’ve lost my shit.

I clearly have no clue what I’m doing. It’s like I’m physically drawn to her… all the time. I keep telling myself that I’m being her friend. I’m trying to make her adjustment with the job easier, yada yada, but the fact of the matter is, when I’m not with her, I’m thinking up reasons I should be.

It makes no sense.

I call Sam to see if he wants to go to the Pixie Pop-Up Market. He’s all for it, so I pick him up within the hour.

“The fresh air will do us good,” I tell him, as we drive toward Jupiter Lane. Like that’s the reason why I’m crawling out of my skin…not enough fresh air.

Meanwhile, my body’s trying to adjust to training camp again after going a little easier on myself this summer. Normally, I’d be happy about this day off.

“This was a mistake,” I mutter to myself, rubbing a hand down my face.

“What was a mistake?” Sam asks from the passenger seat.

He stuffs another bite of the granola bar in his mouth. I brought a few snacks to tide him over until we could pick out something better in one of the booths at the market. He’s watching me like he can see straight into my soul, which is unnerving.

“Nothing. Forget it.”

“You’re thinking about Addy, aren’t you?” he says, grinning.

I exhale sharply. “Why are you so smart? We’re here. Come on.”

He just laughs and hops out of the SUV, stretching his arms as if he’s been stuck in there for hours instead of just a few minutes.

I swear, lately, he’s taller every time I see him.

The market is already bustling, tents lining the street, scents of donuts, coffee, bacon, burgers, and fresh flowers all competing with each other.

The priority is feeding Sam and once he has a burger and a donut in his belly, he’s happy to just walk around, looking at all the different vendors. We hang out at the petting zoo for a while and then walk back toward the fresh vegetables and fruits, where I pick up a few things for the week.

I’m doing a pretty good job of focusing on Sam and anything but the gnawing feeling in my gut about Addy…until I see her.

She’s standing near a stall with a woman and…Camden. Because apparently, my day has to take a nosedive.

I don’t know what his deal is, but I think I should find out. Every time I turn around—well, all two times, really—he’s there, smiling that effortless smile, standing next to Addy like he belongs there. And maybe he does.

Sam follows my gaze and lets out a low whistle. “Uh-oh.”

“No, not uh-oh. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

His nose crinkles up as he stares at me. “No. You’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

“The look that says you’re about to do something dumb.”

I glare at him, but he just grins wider. “Since when did you start mouthing off at me like my friends do?”

“I learned from the best,” he says, pointing at me.

My mouth drops. “Take that back!”

But before I can stop him, he shouts, “Hey, Addy!”

Perfect.

She turns, eyes widening slightly when she sees me. She smiles and waves at us and then the three of them walk toward us.

“Hey,” she says carefully, almost shyly. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Didn’t know you’d be here either,” I say.

Why hasn’t anyone told me how hard it is to be invested in how a woman I like feels about me? I had no idea.

“Hey man,” Camden nods. “Good to see you.”

“You too.” I hope it sounds convincing because I genuinely like the guy, but damn, I want him to back the fuck off of Addy.

“I’m Goldie,” the girl next to Addy says.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even introduce you.” Addy shakes her head, flustered. “This is Penn.”

“Hi, Penn,” Goldie says, her grin wide. And something tells me from the look on her face that she knows about me.

That feels promising.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“And this is Sam,” Addy says. “Sam, this is my best friend in the whole wide world, Goldie, and her brother, Camden…who’s also a great friend.” She smiles as she looks over at Camden.

They both say hi to Sam and I stare at Addy.

She shifts, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “So…how’s your weekend been?”

“Quiet.” Too quiet. “You?”

“Good. Goldie came to visit, so it’s actually been great. We’ve just been catching up.”

“Where do you live, Goldie?” I ask.

“Minnesota.” She smirks. “How is the team treating my bestie so far?” She puts her arm around Addy’s shoulder and Addy flushes.

She shoots Goldie a look, but Goldie ignores her, waiting for me to answer.

“Uh, great, hopefully. She’d be the one to ask, but from what I can tell, everyone’s been decent. Especially when we tasted some of the recipes she’s come up with.”

Addy smiles, looking pleased with my response.

“She’s the best, right?” Goldie says. “I wouldn’t have survived in school without Addy feeding me.”

“You’re not a dietitian too?”

“Oh no,” she says, shaking her head. “No, no. I wouldn’t have had the patience for that. These two are the foodies.” She tilts her head toward Addy and Camden.

“Don’t let her fool you,” Addy says proudly. “Goldie is an amazing artist and has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master in Design Studies?—”

“She’s smarter than all of us,” Camden says, laughing. “Not you, Adeline, but our siblings.”

Goldie loops her arm through her brother’s and wrinkles her nose. “Don’t listen to them. I’m here to talk about Addy.” She winks at Addy, who looks horrified. “Our girl is pretty great, right?”

Addy’s eyes widen as she tries to stare Goldie into silence. I decide then that I think Goldie is fantastic.

“I think she is,” I say, nodding as I look at Addy.

Sam, the little traitor, steps forward with a grin. “So, Camden. What do you do?”

“I own a restaurant in Denver. You’ll have to come visit sometime. Bring Penn with you. My treat.” He smiles at Sam and then me.

“That’s so cool,” Sam says. “Did you know that Penn has won three Super Bowls, and last year even though his team lost, he was still named the running back to watch?” He looks at me proudly.

“On one sports show I saw, they said Penn is on his way to being considered one of the five greatest running backs of all time!”

I put my hand on Sam’s shoulder and squeeze it. “And this right here is why I take this guy everywhere,” I say, grinning at Sam. “Thanks, bud.”

“Yeah, I think you’ve got the number one fan spot filled, but I’m right up there with you in the Penn Hudson fan club,” Camden says. “All you guys, man. It’s been an amazing few seasons.”

“Wow. Thank you. I didn’t see all this praise coming.” I laugh. “Hopefully, we’ll make you guys proud this year.”

“Well, now that you’ve got my girl fueling you in the right way, maybe you will!” Goldie says.

“There’s just a whole love fest going on here, isn’t there?” Addy says pointedly at Goldie, who just smiles innocently.

“Right,” I say, clearing my throat. “Well, we should?—”

“Join us?” Goldie interrupts, her smile widening. I have to smile back. I think this girl might be Team Penn, but I could be completely wrong here. “We were just about to grab some pastries. You and Sam should come.”

Addy’s eyes dart to mine, but I can’t read anything in them today. Does she want me to say yes?

“Uh,” I start, and Sam claps his hand on my shoulder.

“We’d love to!” he says.