Page 39 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

“I live it because I have to,” he said. “When I retire, I can go or do what I want.”

“Do you know when you want to retire?”

Her research showed that on average, a quarterback had retired or would be by Warren’s age, but he had two more years left on his contract.

“I have an idea,” he said.

“And you aren’t going to share it,” she said. “Got it. We aren’t there and it’s not my business.”

“I’m not trying to be a dick,” he said.

“Nope, you’re not. We are two people who live different lifestyles who have the hots for each other. We both have to ask what we want out of it. Some action in the sheets and a person to call up when we want it again? A companionship that means we might not see the other much? Or a full-blown go-for-it relationship knowing there are a lot of obstacles in the way.”

“Damn, you know how to rain on a parade,” he said. “I’m not sure I expected that of you.”

12

A PERFECT DATE

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m getting ahead of myself. I know I’m kind of all over the place in my life or my thoughts, but I tend to plan things out in my way.”

“You look for how something could go or end?” he asked.

Warren didn’t think it was a bad trait since he did the same thing.

“It’s hard not to in my career,” she said. “I have a loose storyline in my head, but my characters drive the story.”

“How is that?”

“Do you want to be bored with this?”

“It’s not boring to me,” he said. “I told you I love to read. Maybe I always secretly thought it’d be neat to create my own story.”

“I’m always one to encourage someone,” she said. “If we are going to sit here and talk, do you want a drink or something to eat? I’m not used to entertaining, and my manners tend to be lacking.”

“If you’ve got water, that’s good. I always stay hydrated.”

She popped up quickly, his eyes landing on her tan shorts that stopped at mid-thigh. It was barely seventy out, but hersunroom was nice and warm and he was glad he’d put shorts on too.

Her mint green shirt was a little on the baggy side and didn’t quite reach the top of her shorts, leaving about half an inch of bare skin that she was teasing him with.

He’d been the one who threw down the challenge of teasing her so it was only fair that she might be doing it to him.

She came back with two bottles of water and handed one off to him.

“I drink when I remember to,” she said. “It’s bad, I know.”

“Do you get any exercise at all?” he asked. “I’m just curious.”

“I do stretches and stuff when I’m done writing. My body is pretty sore after. I should learn to do yoga, but I’m lazy. I walk in nice weather. It helps me think. I just go out and walk around the area. There isn’t a lot of traffic.”

“Let’s do it now,” he said. His head turned quickly when there was a blur of gray out of the corner of his eye. “You’ve got a cat?”

“I do,” she said. “His name is Lucky because he’s damn lucky I found him outside and he didn’t freeze to death. Someone abandoned him. I think he’s about six months old. He doesn’t like people either. He might warm up to you at some point.”

“He’s going to go hide now?” he asked.

“Yeppers. He’ll be fine. You want to walk around my neighborhood?” she asked.