Page 43 of Who's Loving You

Lucy: Yes, but are you actually paying attention to your man?

Me: He is not my man, Luce. It’s all an act.

Lucy: It’s not an act, babe. That boy wants you, and he wants you *bad*.

Me: Well he can want until pigs fly, but he will never get.

Lucy: Oh don’t be like that. You know that under previous circumstances, you’d let him dip into your chocolatestarfish.

Me: What the hell is wrong with you? That’s horrible!

Lucy: Girl…be for real. You’re the one who told me it only hurts for a little. Quit being a prude.

Me: I’m going to quit being your friend, you sick pervert.

Lucy: Whatever. Just continue to be a bore and I’ll keep getting my neck cracked by Chase. But that man isn’t going anywhere near my chocolate starfish. It’d be like a cucumber pushing through a grape.

Me: Wow. Thanks for the visual. I’m turning my phone off now because I have a feeling things will only get worse.

Istand next to Monty and Killeen, listening to him talk animatedly about today’s win.

“Your boy was fantastic, my dear.” Monty takes my hand and pats the back of it.

“He did great, but he’s not my boy. In reality, I mean.” I look left and right for anyone who may have just heard that comment.

Luckily no one seems to be paying too much attention, which is good. The last thing Nic needs is someone running to the tabloids to expose our “relationship”.

“I’m sure it’s a relationship that could becomeveryreal if you wanted.” Killeen throws me a wink and smile and I try not to shudder from the thought.

“I’m married to my career, at the moment. When the time is right, I’ll find the right one. For now, this fake relationship suits me just fine.”

I smile at the two of them and feel the weight of a hundred eyes on me. My gaze slowly wanders around the room discreetly, as if I’m simply looking around and not searching the faces of all the women who stand judging me.

They assess me, their eyes roaming up and down, taking note of everything from my shoes to the way my hair is styled. A few lean in close and begin whispering, their hands shielding their mouths in case I’m a lip reader. One woman stands just outside one group of women who do not hide their obvious assessment. She listens but doesn’t feed into their gossip.

I push a lock of hair behind my ear and turn back to the Montgomery’s, my Oscar de la Renta teardrop earrings that Lucy gifted me with for my birthday swaying. From the corner of my eye, I sense a presence nearing me and I stay focused on the couple in front of me until I can no longer ignore the body right next to me.

“Hello Monty. Killeen. How are you both today?”

“Pretty damn good with that first win of the season,” Monty bellows for everyone to hear.

“Pre-season, dear. It was just preseason,” Killeen corrects.

He runs his hand over her shoulder and down her arm. “A win is a win, my darling.”

I smile because I simply cannot help it. These two are what a happily ever after look like.

“I agree with you, Monty.” He claps her hand when she raises it for a high-five, both jovial in their demeanor. “I apologize. How rude of me. I’m Carina Rinaldi.”

The gorgeous woman holds out her hand to me and I graciously shake her hand. “Valentina San Ramón. Pleased to meet you.”

“My husband is Frank Rinaldi, the quarterback,” she adds.

“Wow. He played amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing him in action this season.” She smiles and blushes when I compliment him.

I’ve learned that the fastest way to be accepted into a group is to pay their husbands a compliment based on merit and talent. The last thing you want to do is tell them how attractive their husband is. That will get you on the “keep her away from your man” list.

“Same. That injury late in the season had me worried. But after some intense rehab, he’s ready to bring home a another Lombardi for Monty.”