Gauging the Player: A One-Night-Stand Sports Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romance Book 3), стр. 23
Back in front of her closet, she perused her choices, ignoring the section devoted to her old stage attire. Definitely not casual.
When was the last time she’d had such trouble deciding what to wear? Normally, she picked an outfit and rocked it with confidence—a knack she’d developed after years of being onstage. So why was she devoting so much time to dressing for her … business meeting? Business meetings didn’t cause her stomach to pitch like it belonged to a silly fangirl squealing over the lead singer in a boy band.
Ugh!
Her eyes landed on a subdued green leather jacket, and she pulled it off its hanger. While she dragged the jeans up her legs once more, her mind took a detour back to her new client.
Questions had been circling in Lily’s head over the brunette in the photo. Who was she? If she was a celebrity—and with her stunning looks, she certainly could have been—she wasn’t a well-known one. What was she to Gage?
And who else was hiding in his closet?
Which brought her to: Why the hell did it matter? Because any good PR person worth her salt needs to know of any liaisons that could bite her client in the butt, of course.
Lily blew out a breath that lifted the curls off her forehead. Gage was her client. Nothing more. Well, except a one-night stand. But that was in the past. Forgotten. Buried.
Right?
Lily kept her gaze pointed straight ahead as she stood beside Gage in front of humongous arched double doors. Mentally, she patted herself on the back for her perfect wardrobe choice. The green leather jacket over a white tank top was conservative yet trendy, finished off with dark-wash skinny jeans and suede ankle boots.
Gage, dressed in hiking shoes, jeans, a blue-striped button-down, and a black peacoat—all of which he wore extremely well—stretched in front of her and pressed the doorbell. She caught a mixture that was part-woodsy, part-leather, and all fresh man. The same scent that had greeted her when he’d helped her into his seriously nice car. Trying not to sniff the air like a bloodhound on a hot trail, she focused on the bells gonging inside the home.
How long was the line of women waiting to get a turn at Gage Nelson anyway? Was she about to meet some of his “fan” club?
The door opened, revealing a tall, good-looking man Lily recognized from the wedding. He pulled Gage in for a bro hug. “Nelsy, glad you could make it.”
Gage canted his head toward her. “Beckett, you remember Lily?”
Beckett’s eyes seemed to brighten with recognition. “Right. The singer at T.J.’s wedding. Nice to see you again. Come on in.”
“No baby carrier today?” Lily ventured.
He laughed as he closed the door behind them. “Not today. She’s down for her nap.”
“Layne, right?”
His eyes widened. “Yeah. Good memory!”
Just then, a woman about Lily’s size appeared, and Beckett dropped his arm around her shoulders. She was pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way, with waving auburn hair that curled on her small shoulders. But the most noticeable thing about her was her huge belly.
“Gage, you remember my wife. Lily, this is Paige, but I call her Andie.” Beckett caressed his wife’s stomach absentmindedly.
“When are you due?” Lily asked.
“Due for what?” Paige quipped, flashing a broad smile that showed off a dimple.
Oh shit! I know better than to ask that question! When Lily’s mouth fell open, Paige grasped her hand in both of hers. “Sorry, Lily. Bad joke, but I couldn’t resist. I’m due in late April.”
Beckett chuckled. “We’re pretty sure she got pregnant the night of T.J.’s wedding. Must’ve been your singing, Lily.”
Paige slid him a sidelong smirk. “Or somebody insisting there was only one way he could fall asleep, only to keep me up all night.”
He shrugged unapologetically. “As I recall, I was the one who stayed up all night.” He winked at his wife, who’d turned a pretty shade of pink.
“TMI, Beck.” She turned green eyes on Gage and Lily. “Let’s get out of the foyer, shall we? Party’s in the back.”
Aw … they’re cute! A pang of envy dug its claw inside Lily. Could I have that in my life again? Just as swiftly, her inner voice told her no, that wasn’t for her.
As they fell in behind the couple, Beckett dropped back. “Wanna see my man cave-slash-garage, Nelsy? T.J. and the guys are already out there.”
Something uncomfortable waved through Lily. As used as she was to entertaining, chitchat with strangers ranked in the top ten of her least favorite things to do. Being onstage was more or less a one-sided conversation, with the microphone acting as a barrier. And if the awaiting crowd included some of Gage’s past playmates?
The better to learn about him, Lil.
Before she could muster her stage face, Gage’s deep, soft voice surprised the hell out of her.
“I’m dying to see this car collection I’ve heard so much about, but Lily doesn’t know anyone here. Let me get her squared away first, and I’ll check it out later, if that’s okay.”
Lily’s entire body uncoiled a notch. She hadn’t been aware how tightly she’d been wound.
“Fine by me,” Beckett replied. “Andie, I’m just gonna duck in and see if the guys need anything.”
“Okay, Beck,” Paige called over her shoulder as she took Lily’s arm, linking it with hers, and steered her farther down a hallway toward music and a growing burble. Such a natural, easy, comforting gesture. So homey. “I’ll introduce you,” Paige said with that winning smile.
They stood on the threshold of a huge family room filled with leather couches and a handful of … women. Beautiful women, whose heads turned toward them. Oh shit, I’m meeting Gage’s harem. Some gazes bounced between Lily and Paige, while the rest seemed to land behind them … no doubt on Hotness himself.
“Everyone,” Paige announced, “this is Lily, a phenomenal singer and