A Case of Extreme Mistaken Identity - Victorine E. Lieske Page 0,28

want.”

Skepticism colored his features. “You really want the sofa tonight?”

“Yes.” It would make her feel much less guilty for mooching off him.

He sighed. “All right.”

Chapter 14

The late afternoon sun slowly lowered in the sky as Austin tried for the third time to get into the book he was reading. Everyone said it was good, but he couldn’t get past the second page. Maybe because his mind kept wandering. All he could see was Dani’s face over the text.

He shut the book and got up from the chair on the deck. This was ridiculous. He couldn’t sit there any longer. He needed to go somewhere or he was going to lose it. Maybe he could take another walk around the resort. Not that he hadn’t memorized the entire place. But maybe he would run into Dani.

Before he could find his sandals, a knock sounded on his door. Was Dani off work already? A quick glance at the clock told him that was possible. It was almost five. She might have finished a bit early. He’d given her a room key, but maybe she’d left it behind this morning. He ran a hand through his hair before pulling open the door.

A delivery kid stood there holding a vase of flowers, which wasn’t what Austin had expected at all. The kid checked a piece of paper, then lifted his gaze. A smile popped onto his face. “Hey, you’re Austin Scott.”

Austin nodded, still a bit dazed. “Yeah.”

“These are for you.” The kid shoved the flowers at him. “I’ve been a fan of yours forever. I had no idea I’d be delivering these to a major football star. The delivery instructions just say Austin.” His face flushed. “This is probably totally inappropriate, but I’m going to say it anyway. Can I have your autograph?”

Austin was used to people getting excited when they recognized him, but hadn’t expected to come across any fans at the Billionaire Club. He nodded and opened the door wide so the delivery kid could come in. “Sure.”

He placed the vase on the desk and then looked for something to write on while the kid did this little jumpy thing that made him look like he’d eaten a sugar factory for lunch. Austin held in a smile. “How long have you been delivering flowers?”

“Only two months. Nothing this exciting has ever happened, though. Wait until I tell my dad. He’s going to have a fit.”

The resort had left a pad of paper on the small desk, and Austin grabbed it. “What’s your name?”

“Derrick. I can’t believe I got to deliver flowers to the Austin Scott.” He swung his arms back and forth. “Hey, what are you doing here anyway?”

“Recovering.”

“Oh, that’s right. I heard you were injured. Your knee, right?”

“Yes.” Austin wrote a quick note to Derrick and then signed his name. He capped the pen and tore off the page. “Here you go.”

Derrick took the paper like it was made out of thin gold and could be damaged with too much handling. “Thank you, man. I hope you heal quickly.”

“Thanks.”

“Have a good one. And I hope those flowers brighten your day.” He pointed his index fingers at Austin and backed out of the room, closing the door.

The flowers. Austin had almost forgotten about them. Who had sent him flowers? His coach? Physical therapist? He walked back to the desk and pulled the card out of the bouquet. He opened it and stared down at the message.

Watch out for snakes lying in the grass. Some of them are poisonous. Get well soon.

Austin read the message over again, a strange feeling creeping over him. This wasn’t from anyone on the team. Who sent these? And what did the message mean?

He read it a third time, then chuckled, realization dawning on him. Sounds like something Gregg would do, send flowers with a creepy note. He’d been friends with Gregg since middle school, and lame jokes were his specialty. He probably sent the flowers and weird note trying to be funny.

Still, it kind of creeped him out. He crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash. Before he could leave, the door opened and Dani walked in. Her eyes lit up when she saw the flowers. “You got me flowers?”

Well, crud. He couldn’t lie and say he’d gotten them for her, could he? But how awkward would it be if he said they were for himself? Then he’d have to show her the odd note, and she might take it wrong. He didn’t want to