to her birthday party. We’re going to ride ponies!”
“Cool,” Tess said, offering the child a high five.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tess spotted Monique charging across the field in her wrap dress and metallic strappy sandals. Her oversize sunglasses covered most of her face, but she smiled at Emily as she approached them.
“Mom!” Emily shouted, kicking it into high gear to reach her mother. Monique caught Emily’s shoulders before she bulldozed her over. “You came to practice… but it’s already over. You shoulda seen me. I kicked the ball good today. I’m pretty awesome at this soccer stuff.”
“Good, sweetie,” Monique said, heading toward where Tess stood with Graham. Tess couldn’t see her boss’s eyes, but she had the feeling they carefully studied her and Graham, weighing, measuring… perhaps even suspecting. Especially after Tess admitted having his cell phone number.
“Tess, what are you doing here, and why are you wearing a whistle? Are you coaching the team?”
“I told you I volunteered to help Jim. I brought Emily to practice, remember?” Hmm… what was Monique’s game? Or maybe she had ADD and hadn’t really listened when Tess had told her.
“Oh, of course,” Monique said, propping her glasses on her head and glancing at Graham. It wasn’t a possessive glance though it was familiar. “And you’re helping, too?”
Graham nodded. “Jim needed it.”
Monique looked over at Jim before shifting her attention back on her ex. “I’m sure it’s nice for Emily to have her father so involved in her everyday life. Finally.”
Monique’s words should have been complimentary, but they sounded anything but. A sudden wave of dislike flooded Tess. The woman liked making Graham feel guilty for the years he’d been in Houston, and that seemed such a petty thing to do in front of their daughter. In front of Tess.
“Yeah,” he said, smiling at his daughter, who came and nestled herself against his side. He wound an arm about her shoulders, squeezing her to him. “I’m happy to help the Lake End Ladybugs get ready to win the championship.”
Emily giggled.
“You shouldn’t get her hopes up,” Monique said.
“Why not shoot for the stars? Right, Em?” Graham patted his daughter’s back and gave Monique a sharp look.
“Yeah, you should have seen us practice. We’re good,” Emily said, nodding at Tess. Tess smiled back, affirming the girl, though she wasn’t so sure they could win a game, much less the championship.
“Time to go, Emily. Tell your father bye. Tess, too,” Monique said, suspicion tight around her mouth. Maybe she didn’t suspect a physical thing with Graham as much as she suspected he might try to mine tidbits about Upstart. Tess hadn’t thought how it might look from a business standpoint to be coaching soccer with Graham… Upstart’s rival.
Jeez. They were a Maury Povich show waiting to happen.
Emily gave each of them a hug and even jogged over to Jim and bestowed one on him. Seemed like Graham was right—a little fresh air and exercise brought out the best in his daughter.
Seconds later, Tess stood with Graham, watching Emily and Monique stride ahead of Jim who hobbled behind them toward the parking lot.
Graham lifted the cooler off the bleacher and tucked it under his arm, looping the plastic garbage bag over his arm. “Sorry about Monique. She’s good at popping bubbles. I’m trying to get her to look at the bright side with Emily, let the kid dream a little.”
“You don’t have to apologize for Monique,” Tess said, picking up her clipboard, falling into step beside him.
He cocked his head. “You’re right. I’m sure you know how she is.”
Yeah, she did. Tess respected Monique’s drive and business smarts, but she would have likely never been friends with the woman. There was something hard about Monique, and try as she may, Tess couldn’t feel the way she’d felt at Ullo. Of course, maybe that’s because her daddy was her boss and she’d always known she was safe. She didn’t want to talk about Monique with Graham, so she changed the subject. “Are you going to the Oedipus thing tomorrow night?”
He slid blue eyes over to hers. “Of course. They’re one of our biggest accounts.”
Tess lifted her eyebrows. “Oh, you sure about that?”
“As sure as it gets.”
“Mmm,” came Tess’s response.
Graham stopped. “You love this, don’t you?”
“What?” she asked turning around. “I’m making conversation. It’s what friends do.”
“No, you’re protecting yourself by playing a little game between Ullo and Upstart. Keeps you from feeling anything, keeps you from wanting me.”
“Why, you egotistical—” Tess whipped her head around to