Steal My Heart (Bachelors & Bridesmaids) (11 page)

That did help speed her recovery. "I like the sound of that."

"Did you have any fun at all?"

"Are you crazy?" she asked in amazement. "Who could have fun on that?"

He laughed. "Millions of people. It's the most popular ride in the park."

"It was horrible. I never ever want to do that again."

"I wouldn't put that quote in your PR pitch."

She made a face at him. "Believe me, I won't. And I hope my reaction stays between the two of us."

"Of course." He stood up and sat down on the bench next to her. "But it still may be hard for you to sell something you don't love."

"I know all the right buzzwords to use. And I don't have to love something to be able to sell it."

"Charlie wants you to love it. That's the whole point of our time here at the park."

"I love the rest of the park, so I'm going to be fine." She paused. "Thanks for being supportive, Michael. I do appreciate it. I'm not sure I would have actually gotten on that ride if you hadn't forced me to do it."

"I think you would have made it. You don't quit, even when you're scared. I'm going to get us some waters."

"I'd like that."

As Michael walked away, she settled back against the bench, breathing in and out for a few more moments. While she still felt a little sick, she also felt proud of herself for doing what she needed to do. As Michael had said, she wasn't a quitter. She always fought to the end, even if she was losing. She just didn't know any other way to play.

Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her purse, seeing her friend Andrea's face pop up on the screen wanting to do a video call. "Hey Andrea."

"Hi Liz, where are you?" Andrea asked.

"I'm recovering from my roller coaster ride at Playworld."

"Did you throw up?" Andrea asked.

"No, thank goodness. What are you doing?"

"I'm meeting with Kate." Andrea shifted and Kate Marlowe's pretty face popped up behind her.

"We're having an early lunch," Andrea said.

"And that's not all," Kate added.

Liz could see the excitement on both of their faces. "What is going on?"

Andrea held up her left hand and showed off a gorgeous square diamond ring.

"Oh my God," Liz said in shock. "Is that an engagement ring?"

"Yes, Alex proposed to me last night," Andrea replied.

"It's gorgeous. But, wow, this is fast. It's only been a few months."

"Super fast," Andrea agreed. "But Alex and I are in love, and we want to get married. There just doesn't seem any reason to wait. I know he's the one. And he feels the same way about me."

"Well, that's great. I'm so happy for you. I'm a little shocked, but this is really wonderful."

"I know you're supposed to be the next bride," Andrea said. "But—"

"Please, don't even think about that," she said with a laugh. "Do you have a date already?"

"We're thinking around Valentine's Day, if Kate can make the magic happen that fast."

"It will be a challenge," Kate said. "But I am good at my job."

"And of course you'll be a bridesmaid, Liz. Laurel will be my maid of honor, but I want the whole gang back for my wedding."

"You know we'll be there for you," she promised. Liz looked up as Michael handed her a bottle of water. "Thanks," she said.

"Who's that?" Kate asked curiously.

She realized she'd turned her phone giving her friends a good view of Michael. "This is Michael Stafford," she said. "My good friends, Andrea and Kate."

"You're the guy from high school?" Andrea asked.

"That's me," Michael said, smiling at her friends.

"Is it really true that you beat Liz at everything?" Kate asked.

He laughed. "I see my reputation has preceded me."

She'd forgotten that she'd told them about Michael at Andrea's birthday party on Friday. "We have to go. You can talk to Michael another time."

"Maybe next weekend," Kate said. "We're going to have an engagement party on Sunday— location to be determined."

"Let me know, and I'll be there," she said, ending the call.

"Which one is getting married?" Michael asked.

"Andrea."

"Blonde or brunette?"

"Blonde. Andrea is a journalist for
World News Today
." Liz took a sip of her bottled water, her head spinning once again and this time it wasn't from the roller coaster. "She interviewed the billionaire game maker Alex Donovan two months ago for the magazine cover story, and along the way they fell in love. Now they're engaged."

"Fast work. And she found herself a billionaire."

"She did, but Andrea isn't about the money. She's one of those reporters who just have to tell the truth, expose injustice in the world. I think that's what Alex liked about her. She's down to earth and she really cares about people. I'm super happy for her."

"Looks like you're going to have a chance to catch another bouquet."

She groaned. "I am definitely going to pick a better place to stand this time. Thanks for the water. I'm feeling a lot better."

"Good."

She looked around them, taking a few moments to just soak in the happy atmosphere of the park. Every person within her gaze seemed to be having a good time. "I wonder how Ed and Christa are doing," she mused.

"I'm sure they've ditched each other by now."

"Probably. So I think I'm done with the park. It's time to go home and start coming up with some brilliant ideas for Thursday's meeting."

"Do you know your angle yet?"

"I have some ideas, but I need to let it all sink in, or at least let get my stomach back from the roller coaster."

"So you might take a break tonight, not jump right into work?"

She tilted her head, giving him a curious look. "Why do you ask?"

"I have an idea."

"Am I going to like it?"

"I'm not sure
I
like it."

His words puzzled her. "What are you talking about, Michael?"

"I told you that my old coach wants me to meet him before the game tonight. I was thinking you could go with me. Have you ever been to a pro game?"

"No, never. My dad used to have tickets with my grandfather, but my brothers were usually first in line to go."

"I can get you down on the field."

She thought about his invitation and saw the strain in his eyes. "You don't really want to go, do you?"

"It sounds strange to say no. My whole life, all I wanted to do was play on a pro team. Now, I don't even know if I want to go to a game."

"Then why are you going?"

"Because Hank keeps calling me."

"That's not the reason."

He tipped his head. "Because I can't stop thinking about his offer and whether I made the right decision to cut football out of my life." He paused. "I have to say that yesterday kind of broke the ice for me. Watching games with your family forced me back into it. And your dad asked me so many questions, I never really had time to think about the fact that I wasn't playing anymore."

"You were a good sport," she said.

"So is it your turn to be a good sport?" he asked hopefully. "I could use a friend."

"Everyone on that team is your friend."

"They'll be playing. I need someone standing by my side."

She blew out a breath, knowing that she should spend the night working on her pitch. On the other hand, she owed Michael. He'd not only made her dad's weekend, he'd also helped her take on the roller coaster.

"All right. I'll go," she said. "As long as we can get those garlic fries. I love those."

"Cotton candy and garlic fries, my kind of woman."

"Well, I wouldn't eat them at the same time," she protested.

He laughed. "I might. And maybe add in a beer chaser."

"Now, you've gone too far," she teased.

"Let's go back to the hotel and check out."

She stood up, relieved that her legs didn't feel like rubber anymore. "I think I can actually walk again. I don't really remember how I got from the roller coaster to here."

"I practically carried you."

"Really? I thought I was still flying."

He smiled. "You're a gamer, Liz."

"Just what every girl wants to hear."

"It's a compliment. And if I told you how I really see you, you wouldn't believe me anyway."

She wasn't sure what to make of that comment. "I'm not going to ask."

"Well, maybe someday I'll tell you anyway—when you're ready to hear me."

Chapter Ten

Liz was still thinking about Michael's cryptic words when she drove back to San Francisco. After checking out of the hotel, they'd each gotten in their cars and were currently tailgating their way back to the bay. Michael had let her lead, and she couldn't help thinking how happy she felt every time she looked in the rearview mirror and saw him. It felt good to have him so close.

Actually, being with Michael just felt good in general. It was a dangerous, heady, somewhat out of control feeling, kind of like riding that roller coaster, only a lot better. She tried to remind herself that once the competition was over, Michael would be out of her life, but that didn't change the way she felt right now. For once, she was going to let the future take care of itself and live in the moment.

She hit a fair amount of traffic going into the city and it was almost four by the time she reached her apartment building in North Beach. She pulled into the underground parking lot, hoping Michael could find a nearby spot. She wanted to drop off her bag and grab a jacket before going to the stadium.

When she got into the lobby from the garage, she saw Michael waiting outside the front door with his suitcase. He didn't want to leave it in his truck while they were at the game, but having his suitcase in her apartment meant he was going to have to come up after the game to get it. She'd worry about that later.

"This is a nice neighborhood," Michael said as she let him in.

"I love the area. I have a couple of friends who live nearby and there are great restaurants, bars and it's short walk to the pier."

"Sounds perfect," he said, following her up the stairs to her second floor apartment.

"Don't expect much," she warned as she opened the door and ushered him inside. "It's just a big studio."

"But you have a lot of room," he commented, glancing around.

She did have some space. The large room was divided into three areas, one for sleeping, one for sitting and one for cooking. Her double bed was hidden behind an ornamental screen. She had a couch and an armchair by the window, and her kitchenette offered seating at a counter with two stools. A small bathroom was just behind the kitchen and walk-in closet. She was happy she'd done her laundry a few days earlier. And since she hadn't been home much the past few days, the place was pretty neat.

"I like the light," he said. "But where's your art? Your walls are pretty bare."

"It's back at my parents' house."

"You really don't feel the urge to paint anymore?"

"I've done some sketches, but nothing good enough to hang on a wall."

"I doubt that."

"Well, I just haven't gotten around to decorating. I've been busy. Maybe I should see your place, because I have a feeling it's not going to look like it came out of the pages of a design magazine." She paused, frowning. "Actually, I'm probably wrong. It would make sense if you had your home professionally decorated. You must have made a lot of money in football. Where do you live exactly?"

"I have a small house in the Berkeley hills. My sister's friend Carmen helped me decorate it. She's not a professional, and I paid her in tickets for last year's playoff game. You'll have to come over and check it out."

"Why Berkeley? Why not San Francisco?"

"I enjoy having a little more space than I'd have here in the city. Plus, I have a great view of the bay from my deck. I've seen some amazing sunsets. As an artist, you'd love the colors."

She would love the colors. His words had already created an image in her mind. It was funny that Michael was making her think about painting again. He hadn't just taken her back in time to high school, but to a place in her life where she'd been filled with a lot of passion for art. She still had passion; she was just more practical now. She was an adult. Being practical came with age, didn't it?

Shaking her head, she walked across the room, grabbed a jacket out of her closet and said, "Let's go to the game."

After leaving her apartment, they got into Michael's truck and drove south of the city to a beautiful new football stadium that had been built three years earlier. It sat on land right next to the bay and as they got out of the truck, a gust of wind lifted Liz's hair off of her neck and she quickly zipped up her jacket.

They'd gotten a spot in preferred parking, but as they walked toward the stadium entrance, Liz could see dozens of cars already in the main lot. Small barbecues were smoking with delicious smells of barbecue.

"People come really early," she said. "The game doesn't start for another hour and a half."

"Sometimes they come in the morning. It's part of the experience."

"I think I prefer the experience of sitting in my parents' family room with my mom making a lot of great food."

"That was good, I must admit."

As they neared the private entrance designated for players and coaches, Michael's body tensed. He blew out a breath. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," he muttered.

She had a feeling he was talking more to himself than to her, but she couldn't help responding. "You're going to be fine, Michael. As you told me earlier—right before the roller coaster took off—you're not going to die."

"That was quite a pep talk I gave you, wasn't it?" he said dryly.

"You were right." She paused. "I don't know what you're going through, how difficult this might be for you, but I do know that, like me, you never back down from a challenge."

"I just don't know what I'm doing here, Liz. I'm done with football."

"Then this should be easy. Say hello and goodbye and you'll have closure."

"I thought I had closed this chapter in my life. It's Hank who's trying to open it all up again."