Player(28)

“Seafood dishes are your scent of choice? Interesting,” I teased.

“It wasn’t that. It was the spice or the…I don’t know. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it made my mouth water.”

I resisted the urge to fan my cheeks. “I can’t say I blame you. Paella is my favorite. I went to my parents’ for dinner, which was the usual. It was fun and enlightening and maddening. My brother Dante was being an asshole, but that’s his primary function. I don’t know why I’m ever surprised.”

Sam’s face flattened. “Dante? Dante Bolivar is your brother?”

I sighed. “Yeah.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face like he’d made a grave mistake. “Does he know you’re hanging out with me?”

“Hence the extra dickishness.”

“He’s one of the most talented trumpet players on Broadway.”

I chuckled. “I’ll let him know you said so. Maybe it’ll earn you brownie points.”

“Doubtful. Dante’s black and white, yes and no. There’s no middle ground with him. And hanging out with you is definitely gonna be a no from him.”

“How do you guys know each other?”

One dark, notched eyebrow rose as we stepped onto the train. “He didn’t tell you? Interesting.”

I made a face at him.

“Nothing really. We know some of the same girls, and we might have gone after some of the same girls.”

“Oh,” I said, trying to sound light and failing. The syllable was tight, tinged with sadness. “He used to only date girls in the business, but that got…complicated.”

“Yeah, I imagine it did. It’s one of the reasons I never date girls in show business. The only thing it’s good for is coordinating schedules.”

“Are you…are you dating anyone now?” The second the words left my mouth, I wished I could reel them back in. I didn’t want to know the answer.

“No,” he answered without hesitation.

“Right,” I started. “I mean, how could you? I’m taking up all your free time.”

“Val, it’s fine.” He was smirking, amused again. The gesture both relieved and embarrassed me. “I like hanging out with you.”

“But…I mean, you should have a girlfriend or at least some steady ass.”

His laughter was comforting. “I don’t do girlfriends.”

“Wow, tell me there’s more to that. You know, so you don’t sound like a douchebag.”

Another laugh, this time surprised. “I know what I can and can’t be to somebody. I can be a date. I can be a night. I can even be a weekend. But I can’t be more than that.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

He caught me in a glance. “Maybe a bit of both. Or maybe I just don’t. Truth is, I don’t want to hurt anyone, that’s all.”

“And you don’t want to get hurt.”

“Who does?”

I shrugged. “I just figure the risk is worth the reward.”

“I see it from the other side—nothing lasts forever. Why take someone’s heart in my hands when I know I’ll just let them down?” He shook his head. “Better to be honest with myself and with women.”

I sighed. “I see your point, I guess. I’d rather a guy be honest with me than lie and string me on.”

“Exactly. That way, everyone knows what they’re getting. No surprises.”

“Right,” I said firmly, seeing him more clearly than I had before. And I told myself this was him. That he was honest. That he wouldn’t hurt me or anyone else, not on purpose. So I echoed his words, steeling myself against anything else I might feel. “No surprises.”





12





Just Once





Sam

“Not that one,” Val said, her voice tight.

I held up the houndstooth circle skirt, frowning. “Why not?”

She reached across her waist to cup her elbow. “I shouldn’t have bought it. It’s too…much.”

I glanced from her back to the skirt. “Try it on for me.” I reached into her closet, returning with a tight, red, three-quarter-sleeved boatneck top. “With this.” I scanned her shoes, snagging a pair of black heels with peep toes. “And these.”

I pushed them all at her. Begrudgingly, she took them, snagging a wide black belt before leaving for the bathroom to change. I heard her sigh through the closed door.

While I listened to the shuffling fabric and tried not to imagine Val naked on the other side of that thin piece of wood, I wandered around her room. Every color, every fabric was rich and saturated—deep magentas, heavy teals, emerald greens, luxuriant amethyst. It was loud and chaotic in a way that sang perfect harmony.

I found it to be so very Val. I wondered if it was something she’d consciously decided or if it had just come together naturally. Somehow, I had the feeling it was just an extension of her, happening without thought, which made more sense.

Val just was.

She was the most refreshing woman I’d met in years.

The bathroom door opened, and when I looked up, she stood in the doorway, looking terrified.