Page 47 of Love Me Not

“It was fun,” Becca said. “I haven’t been to a game in far too long. Brought back lots of memories. I just wish there had been a better outcome.”

Trey shook his head. “They still had a great season. These boys have a lot to be proud of.”

Noticing that he kept downplaying his part, I said, “You coached them to that success. Give yourself some credit.”

“I gave them a plan, but they’re the ones who executed the plays.”

Now he was annoying me. “They couldn’t execute their way out of a paper bag before you got here. Just admit that you’re a good coach already.”

Shifting uncomfortably, he said, “I had a little something to do with it.”

The man was exhausting. “We need to work on that.”

He laughed. “If the play does well, do you take the credit?”

“As much as I’m due, yes.”

“Then I look forward to you teaching me how to be less humble.”

“Prepare to take notes.”

“Yes, ma’am.” His smile was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile back.

After several seconds of silence, Jacob said, “Are you two finished?”

Trey raised a brow, waiting for me to answer. “I’m finished if you are.”

He looked to Jacob. “You heard the woman. Get home safe and thanks again for coming.”

The men shook hands, and then we headed for the exit.

“This was fun,” Becca said, sliding her arm around mine. “Did you have fun?”

“Other than freezing my toes off and the team losing, sure.”

We passed through the cafeteria entrance and I felt the smile still lingering on my lips. Becca must have noticed, too, because she squeezed my arm and leaned close. “Being smitten looks good on you.”

“Don’t get carried away.”

“That smile is not my imagination.”

There was no point in arguing. Trey was nice, and not awful to talk to. In fact, I was starting to think he might be the only person who actually listened when I talked.

A man who listened. What a crazy concept.

Chapter Twelve

“You missed the mark again, Kandace. Let’s run it one more time.”

This was already the fifth run-through and she’d failed to stop in the correct spot every single time. The rare moments when she did hit her mark, Burke had to feed her the line. We needed people to fill the roles, but that didn’t mean any warm body would do.

“Can’t we just move on?” she whined.

In the roles of Connor’s parents, she and Burke had very few scenes, but every scene mattered. Emma and Aiden had learned pages and pages of lines. There was no reason Kandace couldn’t memorize half a dozen.

“Not until we get this right.” Ignoring the sighs from the seats behind me, I waved her back to the start. “Try again.”

Kandace huffed but did as asked, however, once the scene started it was clear she refused to do even the bare minimum.