Page 10 of Sideline Sweetheart (Greenville Generals #4)

Chapter Ten

Mackenzie

Wednesday after practice, more than a few players end up in the treatment room.

A tweaked knee, a bruised elbow, and a dislocated shoulder were a few of the ailments I diagnosed and created a treatment plan for.

After giving instructions to the medical team, I head back to my office to add notes to each player’s chart.

I’m in the middle of reviewing an x-ray when my phone alerts with a text.

I flip my phone over and smile when I see a message from Bryce.

Busy this weekend?

Nothing set in stone, why?

I have an idea.

I can’t help but laugh as I type my response

Should I be worried?

No. Well, maybe. Gotta see if my idea pans out. Talk soon.

I laugh and shake my head as I toss my phone back on my desk. As I turn back to continue reviewing the x-ray, I see Jamie watching me from the doorway.

Jamie steps inside and notices my grin still firmly in place. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s Bryce putting a smile on your face.”

Instead of confirming I counter, “What makes you say that?”

“Because I grin the same way when Reed texts me too.”

“I guess there’s no use in denying it then. Yes, it was Bryce.”

Jamie takes a seat and raises a brow as she asks, “So, is there another date in your future?”

I move behind my desk and take a seat. “Evidently, he’s trying to put something together for this weekend. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I find it sweet he’s taking the lead on planning dates.”

Jamie nods. “It is sweet. When we were dating, Reed planned most of our dates too.”

I tilt my head as I watch her eyes sparkle when she mentions her husband. “Is he still the primary date planner?”

Jamie smiles as she shakes her head. “Now we each plan a date a month. Sometimes it’s something extravagant and sometimes it’s dinner at home and a movie.”

“What a nice idea.” I open my mouth to say something and then stop.

Jamie grins from where she sits across from me. “What?”

“I’ve been thinking of inviting Bryce over for dinner.”

“You should. In case you didn’t pick up on it, Bryce is a down to Earth kind of guy.”

“Oh, I definitely noticed.”

“Good,” Jamie says as she stood from her seat. Before she reaches the door, she turns back to me. “Mind if I give you some advice?”

“No, please.”

“Stop overthinking and do what feels right. If you want to invite him to dinner, do it. If I know Bryce like I think I do, he’ll jump at the chance to spend more time with you.”

Before I let myself get too far inside my head, I pick up my phone and text Bryce.

Are you free tonight?

He replies almost instantly.

What do you have in mind?

I chew on my bottom lip as I type.

Dinner at my place, say 7?

I’ll be there.

Once Bryce accepted my invitation for dinner, I had to decide what I would prepare. Since I knew his diet consisted of lean proteins and vegetables, I chose one of my favorite meals.

At precisely seven o’clock, a knock sounds on my door.

I move the pan with the salmon from the burner to the oven to keep it warm until it’s time to plate it, remove my apron and toss it on the counter, before heading to the door.

I cast one last glance at the table already set with silverware, glasses of water and a pitcher of water to the side, along with our salads.

I open the door and my breath catches as I take him in.

My eyes dip down his body. Dark jeans, a blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his forearms, Bryce is the whole delicious package.

“Hi,” I manage more breathily than I intend as I open the door wider allowing him to step inside. “Please, come in.”

He smiles at my perusal, while doing one of his own. “These are for you,” he said as he hands me a bouquet of yellow roses and leans in to kiss my cheek.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful,” I say as I make my way back into the kitchen to pull a vase from under the sink. I fill it with water and say, “Dinner is almost ready, so make yourself comfortable.”

As I place the roses in the vase, Bryce leans against the kitchen counter and says, “Whatever you’re making smells delicious. Can I help you with anything?”

I hand him the vase. “Can you put these on the table while I check the vegetables?”

“Sure.” His fingers brushed mine as he accepts the vase, and a zing of electricity makes its way through my body.

I pull the pan of roasted vegetables out of the oven, sprinkled them with parmesan, gave them a toss and placed them on our plates. I then remove and baste the salmon one last time, place it on the plate and drizzle a little more sauce over the top.

I walk to the table, set a plate in front of Bryce, only to have him immediately rise from his seat to pull out my chair. I set my plate on the table, and take my seat, as he makes his way back to his.

He takes in the meal before him and smiles. “This looks wonderful, Mackenzie. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you. I hope you like it; this is one of my favorite meals.” I pour a little dressing on my salad. “The dressing is a lemon honey vinaigrette. I tried to keep things light since you are in training.”

Bryce adds the dressing to his salad and takes a bite. “Wow, this is good.”

“Thank you,” I say as I cut off a piece of salmon and take a bite. My eyes close as I savor the flavors.

When I open my eyes, I’m pleased to see Bryce focused on his meal. His gaze meets mine and a smile tugs at his lips. “Mackenzie, this is delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.” I load my fork with some of the roasted vegetables. “So, were you able to work out your plan for the weekend?”

He looks up at me and grins. “Are you fishing for information?”

I smile as I look up at him from under my lashes. “Maybe.”

He takes a bite of his salad before answering. “I’m waiting on a call back to confirm, but I should know by tomorrow.”

Our conversation continues and when we finish our meal, Bryce helps me clear the table and load the dishwasher.

When everything is put away, before we leave the kitchen, Bryce grasps my hand in his.

As our eyes meet, his hand cups my cheek.

“I’m not sure how I’ve waited so long to kiss you, but I don’t think I can wait a second longer. ”

My breath catches in my chest as I take a step closer eliminating some of the distance between us. My voice is barely above a whisper as I say, “Then maybe you shouldn’t.”

His eyes dance over my face, as his thumb caresses my cheek before landing on my lips.

The hand holding mine slipped around my waist as he draws me closer and when his lips touch mine, my eyes flutter closed.

His lips are firm yet soft, gentle yet demanding.

As his hand moves to the back of my head, his tongue licks across the seam of mine requesting entrance.

I can’t help but melt into him as I grant his request. Our tongues dance against each other and as the kiss begins to slow, Bryce’s hand returns to my cheek.

Resting his forehead against mine, I slowly open my eyes.

His smile is slow to develop as his thumb traces along my swollen bottom lip. “You know, I’m going to need to kiss you again.”

I reward him with a smile of my own before draping my arms around his neck. “God, I hope so.”