Page 114 of Pucking Around

“Hmm…well, what dotheywant? Do they want the world to know you’re a fearsome threesome? Are they ready to brave the media storm that comes with the Rachel Price experience?”

“I think we’re all happy with things as they are right now. Maybe we’ll get through the season and…” I sigh. “I don’t even know. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I just can’t seem to stop.”

“What you’re doing is falling in love with two men at the same time, Rach. And they are most definitely in love with you,” she adds.

I spin to look at her. “You’ve been around them for all oftwoseconds!”

“That’s all it takes to see how crazy they are about you,” she says with a laugh. “Plus, none of you were really trying very hard to hide it from me. I mean, you picked me up from the airport and drove me to your lover’s house, and he met you at the door with a kiss, while your other lover cooked us dinner and made moon eyes at you all night.”

I glance back over my shoulder. “Are we being that obvious now?”

Before Tess can reply, we’re both shrieking as a rogue soccer ball whacks her in the back of the head. She spins around, her iced tea sloshing out of her cup. “Hey, watch it!”

Langley comes running over, a horrified look on his face. “Whoops. Sorry, ma’am.”

Tess gives him a level stare, nostrils flaring as she massages the back of her head.

“Langley, you didnotjust call her ma’am,” I tease.

He ducks down for the ball before it floats off with the surf. As he straightens, he turns to face her. “Whoa,” he says on a breath.

Tess and I both smirk as Langley glances at me. “Doc, who is this?”

“She’s right in front of you, Langley. Ask her yourself.”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t dare.”

Tess tips her head to the side, her wild red curls blowing in the sea breeze.

“Why not?” I laugh.

“Because no mere mortal would dare speak to such a goddess,” he replies. He barely gets the words out before he’s flashing her an All-American smile.

“Ooo, that’s a good line,” Tess hums, batting her lashes.

Next to her I groan, rolling my eyes.

“You like that one?” he says with that boyish grin.

“Mhmm.”

“What am I? A troll under a bridge?” I mutter.

“Nah, you know you’re still our Hot Doc,” he replies, tucking the soccer ball under his arm. “But you’re like, way off limits. And waaaay out of my league. Both of you are.”

Tess pops a hand on her hip. “What’s your name, Cutie?”

“Langley—umm—Ryan,” he adds, raking a hand through his sandy blond curls. “What’s yours?”

“Cuteness, you can call me whatever you want, so long as you call me for dinner,” she teases with a wink.

His smile falls as he blinks, dazed by her brilliance. I’m not surprised, she’s a ten and a half. In her plunging, high-waisted red bikini, she’s a fifteen. His gaze darts to me. “Wait—can we do that? Is that—she’s off limits, right?”

“What are you lookin’ at her for?” Tess huffs, both hands on her curvy hips. “Rachel isn’t my mother. You wanna ask me to dinner, you askme.”

He looks like a kid on Christmas as he blurts. “I—dyouwannagotodinnerwithme?”

Now I’m laughing. “Tess, I think you broke his brain.”