Playing the Player(62)

“Guys,” I interrupted, laughing. “Molly Brown was not a pirate. Zip your lips and listen to Trina.”

Trina stared at the ground, her shoulders shaking, and for a second I was terrified she was crying. Then she raised her face to mine, and I saw that she was laughing. Our eyes met and I felt a jolt of connection shoot between us.

“I give up,” she said, still laughing. “Here’s the deal, guys. Don’t break anything, or cause any scenes, and we’ll call it good, okay? Then we’ll go find ice cream and pianos on the mall.”

“Yay!” Gilly and Max cheered and we headed up the steps and onto the covered porch. The kids made a beeline for a bench swing, while Trina and I sat on a stone balustrade.

I smiled down at Trina. “Way to relax and go with the flow, BB.”

“I’m learning from the best, Edmunds.” Her eyes stayed on mine, and if we’d been anywhere else, I would’ve kissed her.

But instead, a lady dressed like an old-fashioned schoolteacher threw open the door, killing the moment.

“Welcome to the Molly Brown House!”





Chapter Thirty-Four


Trina


Friday, June 21

“At least they didn’t call the cops,” Slade joked, as the door slammed shut behind us.

Gilly clung to my leg, sobbing. “I’m s-sorry, Trina.” She looked up at Slade, wearing the most pathetic expression I’d ever seen. “I didn’t…hic…mean to break the glasses…hic… We were just pretending…sob…to…to…hit the iceberg.”

“And we were scared of that bear rug,” Max said, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “I saw its mouth move.”

I fumed, biting back all my anger and embarrassment. I glanced at Slade, who gave me a pleading look as he squeezed the kids’ shoulders, trying to reassure them. He was such a sucker for tears.

“That was antique crystal, Gilly! From Europe.” I glared at her, and then closed my eyes, hearing the crash and seeing the horrified looks of everyone in the museum when Gilly chased Max through the dining room, under the velvet ropes, and into the table. Thank goodness only two glasses had actually broken. The docent had been furious, but she’d said their insurance would cover the damages. Mostly she’d just wanted us to leave.

Max tugged on my shorts, and my eyes flew open. “What?” My voice was sharp, and he took a step back from me, stumbling over his untied shoes. “I..um…just thought…” He held his arm up. “Maybe we all need some magic.”

His big sad eyes ripped a hole in my righteous anger. I took in all three of them, so pathetic and remorseful, even Slade. I knew the kids felt terrible. The way the tour guide had freaked out would probably haunt their nightmares for weeks. Mine, too.

“This situation calls for drastic measures,” Slade announced. His face broke into one of those glorious smiles that made my stomach drop to my knees. I darted a glance at Gilly and saw that she was equally enchanted.

“What?” My voice cracked. I hoped he had an amazing idea that wasn’t dangerous or illegal.

“Baseball,” he said, and we all gaped at him.

He grabbed the kids’ hands and turned to run down on the porch steps. “Come on, BB,” he called over his shoulder.

The heat from the blazing Colorado sun beat down on me as I followed Slade and the kids down Pennsylvania Street, jogging to catch up.

“Where are we going?” I asked, a little out of breath.

He slowed his pace and smiled down at me. “Coors Field. There’s this game, involving bats and balls… Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

“How do you know there’s a game today? And what about tickets?”

He grinned at me. “Details, Trina. Nothing to worry about.”

My mind swirled. How much were tickets? What if the game was sold out? What if the kids hated it? What if we sat next to drunken fans who screamed obscenities the whole time?

“This is not on the schedule,” I muttered. Slade’s low laughter sent chills up my arms.

“You ever see Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?” he asked as we walked down Colfax, heading toward downtown and the Sixteenth Street Mall. I held Gilly’s hand while Slade held onto Max.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course.” I tapped the side of my head. “Room up here for some pop culture experiences.”

His sexy grin made my knees literally wobble. Another cliché come to life, much to my horror.

“Touché.” He laughed. “Anyway, that’s what I’m going for. We need an epic save.”

“The museum was a stupid idea.” I bit my lip and glanced at him. “Why’d you go along with me when I suggested it?”

His eyes were fixed on my mouth. He blinked a few times then shrugged. “Uh, I…well…” His voice trailed away.

“Whatever.” I walked faster, annoyed that he obviously hadn’t been listening to me the other night.

The Sixteenth Street Mall bustled with office workers running errands and gathering outside for lunch dates. Grungy teenagers zoomed by us on skateboards, and homeless men leaned against buildings, grateful for the shade.

The shuttle whooshed to a stop in front of us, and we stepped on. The kids crammed onto a bench seat while Slade and I stood in the aisle. I reached up for a wrist strap, annoyed they were almost of reach.