Page 32 of Payoff Pitch
Amanda sighs. “She’s twenty-eight, gorgeous, and has a sexpot figure. Every single man was salivating, not just Tanner. The piles of drool were bigger than the lake.”
I let out a laugh. “You two know that I’m sitting here, right?”
They giggle. Amanda has a sheepish look. “Sorry.” She rubs her big belly. “I’m just jealous.”
Cassandra appears unapologetic. “Nah. I have a keen sense about this kind of stuff. Tanner was staring at you like he wanted to eat you. The tents at the campsite weren’t the only ones being pitched today.”
I shake my head. “It’s not like that at all. He’s my boss. That’s it.”
“A sexy, single boss. There’s chemistry. It’s obvious.”
“He’s much older than me.”
She smiles. It reminds me of Kam’s. “Have you seen my husband? Age is just a number. When you fight natural passion, it only leads to more passion.”
TANNER
After a few activities as a larger group, we split, and the girls are off doing their own thing, leaving those of us without a son a few minutes alone.
I’m sitting in an Adirondack chair overlooking the lake next to Beckett as we enjoy cigars. Trevor is with his son, Brandon.
He blows out a plume of smoke. “How is Fallon’s father?”
“She’s on her way there now. He’s been discharged from the hospital. I guess he’ll be immobile for a bit. He’s in good shape though. He’ll bounce back.”
“She must have been upset to miss this trip. I know it means a lot to the girls. I didn’t want Amanda sleeping out here in her condition, but she didn’t want to disappoint Andie.”
I lift an eyebrow. “I saw the setup in your tent. I think she’ll be more than comfortable.”
He had real beds brought in.
He smiles. “Anything for the woman I love.”
“When are you two getting married?”
He sighs. “She wants to wait until after the baby comes and she gets her figure back. Frankly, I was in the doghousefor a while and am still working my way out. We didn’t plan to get pregnant at fifty and forty-five, but it’s a blessing in disguise. Amanda coming into our lives has been a blessing for both me and Andie.”
“I’m happy for you. All of you. How’s team ownership going?”
He smiles. “Fantastic. Reagan does most of the work. I don’t know when that woman sleeps. Between you and me, she’s talking about expanding. She wants to dabble in football too, and, with the success of the Anacondas, she wants to bring more professional women’s sports to Philly. She’s looking into the costs of starting a basketball franchise.”
“Good for her. I think it’s great for our girls to see professional female athletes. They’re fantastic role models. Harper worships the ground Bailey walks on.”
He nods. “Andie likes her too.”
“Bailey is a good kid.”
He chuckles. “Kid? She’s no kid. There’s not a red-blooded man who wasn’t looking at her in the water earlier. Anything going between the two of you?”
“Of course not. She’s young. She’s got her whole life ahead of her.”
“You’re forty-three, not eighty-three. I didn’t even have Andie until I was your age, and now I’ve got another on the way.”
I shake my head. “I can’t imagine. Harper is it for me. Getting married again and having more kids isn’t in my future.”
He gives me a knowing smile. “Yep, I said the same thing, and look where I am now.”
Harper passesout after a long day of activities, including a cornhole tournament that we easily won thanks to Bailey. Harper was on cloud nine. It’s fun to watch her in her element with her classmates. I have a pang of sadness for Fallon that she’s missing it. I sent her a bunch of pictures of Harper having fun, hoping it sets her mind at ease.