Page 33 of Striking Heat

“I’m a soccer player for the Tampa Bay Blaze, along with my friends.” I point to Cassidy and Amelia. “We’re raising money in the form of tips for the Tampa Bay Children’s Hospital.”

“That’s so nice of you. I had no idea we even had a soccer team in Tampa Bay.”

I give him the side-eye. “Are you sure? We’ve made quite a few headlines with this expansion team.”

He shrugs. “Well, I don’t know. I’ve been spending a lot of my time in Europe on business. And I honestly don’t pay a lot of attention to sports either, so I wouldn’t know.”

I just nod. Yeah, he’s hot, but I don’t know if I could date someone who doesn’t pay attention to sports. Maybe I should just focus on getting the tips and not worry about securing his number.

“So, what can I get you to drink?” I change the subject away from sports, thinking it might be safer. But he brings it right back.

“What position do you play?”

“I’m the striker,” I tell him.

“I don’t know what that means.” He laughs nervously.

I laugh along with him and say, “It means I play offense. I’m the one at the top of the formation. It’s my job to take the balls that are fed up with me and turn them into potential goals.”

“Nice. How many have you scored?”

“You mean in my career or this season?” I ask.

“Let’s just go with this season,” he says, though he doesn’t really seem interested in my answer. He’s just trying to keep the conversation going.

“Three so far. But we just started.”

“I have no doubt that you’re amazing at it.” He smiles and brushes his fingertips along my hand, which is resting on the bar.

I flush at his touch. “Would you like a beer or something?”

“Yeah, I’ll take a lager, please. Draft.”

I nod and pull down the draft lever as the amber liquid descends into the glass.

“Here you go,” I say, handing him his beverage.

“You are the prettiest girl in here. Thank you.” He hands me a fifty. “Keep the change. For the kids, you know?”

“Thank you.” I grin at him. “I’ve gotta serve some others, but I’ll come back and check on you, okay?”

“I look forward to it.” He winks at me. “And call me John.”

“Mackenzie.” I stumble back a little bit with a laugh.

“Please come back and see me, Mackenzie.”

I just smile and head over to the next customer in line. Hopefully we slow down so that I can go back and have some more conversation with John.

Chapter Fifteen

~DANNY~

“Hey, man,” I say as I lower onto my stool. The man beside me looks like he just came from work—a collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

He waves a hand in my direction as he takes a drink from his mug.

“How’s the service?” I ask.