ignore. It wasn’t my fault that his side of the table had Sean, the other game day coordinator, handing out their hydration. Too bad. So sad.
“Okay, we have an event at the zoo in two weeks, and they’ve asked for an additional two players for that. It’s basically a meet and greet. Photos. Autographs. Nothing too invasive,” Langley said, looking down the table.
Rookie hands shot into the air, and I let them have it. I was getting more than my fair share of camera time lately.
Seeing that London had finished our side of the table and was walking back to Langley, I took out my cell phone but kept it beneath the table as I texted her.
ME: You have no idea how badly I want to lick you right now.
London slipped out her phone and read the message, her cheeks flushing pink as she quickly typed out a response.
LONDON: You did a thorough job this morning already.
A smile tilted the corners of my lips.
“What about you, Brogan?” Langley asked, lifting her eyebrows at him.
“No.” He didn’t explain or offer an apology. That was it.
Langley sighed.
“He’d probably frighten the kids off,” Briggs joked.
The team laughed.
“He’s not lying,” Brogan replied, completely deadpan.
The laughter only grew louder.
“Oh, come on.” Langley put her hands on her hips. “We’ve had multiple requests for you, and you turn them down every time.”
“Then pick something without kids.” He shrugged. “They’re small and breakable and say weird shit that I never know how to respond to, and then it’s just awkward for everyone involved. I’ll do whatever you have coming up next that’s adult-only.”
“Great, so if a charity opportunity pops up at the senior center, you’re our guy,” Langley muttered, rolling her eyes.
ME: That black dress looks delicious on you.
London shook her head at the message, but a smile tugged at her lips.
LONDON: Pay attention and stop flirting.
ME: The dress will look even better on my floor tonight.
Her gaze popped up to meet mine, her blush rising all the way to her hairline. Then she put her phone into the pocket of her blazer and picked up an agenda, clearly doing her best to dismiss me.
I grinned. As much as I wanted to stand on top of this table and shout that London was mine, even I could admit that there were certain perks of keeping our relationship quiet. Flustering her in public was the biggest perk of them all.
“London?” Langley gave her the floor, and my girl stepped into the center position.
“Right, so you’ll all note that there’s a special event coming up over New Year’s Eve.”
The team groaned collectively.
“I know, I know,” she waved us off. “But it’s a part of the promotion we’re doing for the Ronald McDonald house. I know that we have a bye that weekend, but I’m going to need at least half of the team there since that’s how we’re advertising for the tickets. And you don’t have to tell me right now.” She looked poignantly at Caspian. “And you’re going.”
He scoffed. “Am I, really?”
“I just got called little Foster, so yeah, you’re number one on the list, buddy. Tux it up.” She lifted her brows at him and smiled.
“Fine,” he relented.
“Count me in, too,” Maxim added, giving her a slow smirk. “If it’s important to you, I’m there.”
My stomach twisted painfully, and it only intensified when he glanced at me to see if I’d rise to the bait. I didn’t. London knew I’d be there for her, and that was good enough for me.
The meeting came to an end, and we all filed out. As I passed London, who was pressed against the wall, close to the door, she stroked her hand across my stomach when no one was looking. My abs clenched at the touch, and my body temp rose a degree. “Five-thirty,” she whispered.
I nodded and managed to keep my eyes off hers as I walked into the hallway, where Briggs was waiting with an arched eyebrow.
“Man, you have got to be more subtle than that,” he lectured quietly as we walked toward the parking lot.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I shrugged.
“She called you by your first name.” He shook his head.
I blinked. “What?” We walked into the sunlight, and the team scattered, headed toward their various cars.
“She called every other player by their last name, except you.” He pulled out his remote and clicked the unlock button on his G-wagon.
“So?” I unlocked my Audi.
He glanced across the lot at Caspian before continuing. “So, in