Yet there she was, fresh and beautiful in her summer dress and high heels with her hair pulled into a ponytail. She’d become such an integral part of his life he couldn’t imagine not seeing her every day.

He smiled and walked over to her and they headed down the hall to the exit.

“You had a good practice today.”

“Thanks. It’s coming together.”

“I think you’re a good fit for this team. It also helps that you’re working with the players and the coaches and not against them.”

“That probably does help.”

She stopped and turned to him. “So you’re admitting I might know what I’m talking about.”

“You have certain skills that might be useful.”

She rolled her eyes and continued walking. “I have some other suggestions.”

He held the door for her. The blast of heat nearly took his breath away. “Can it wait until we get someplace air-conditioned? I’m dying. And hungry.”

“Wimp. We’ll go to my place. I’ll fix you something to eat.”

“Sounds good.”

He followed her to her house. Once inside, she threw her purse down. “Let me go change. Help yourself to something to drink.”

He went into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of ice water. Thirsty after today’s practice, he finished it in about four swallows and refilled his glass. Savannah came in wearing a pair of capris and a sleeveless top, then leaned against the center island.

“What are you hungry for?” she asked.

He leaned across the other side and brushed his lips across hers. “You.”

She kissed him back, her lips warm and eager. But then his stomach grumbled and she pulled back, laughing.

“As much as I like that suggestion, let’s feed you first.”

She made grilled turkey sandwiches with salad. He ate two sandwiches, drank two more glasses of water, and ate three cookies for dessert.

“Are you sure you’ve had enough?” she asked, arching a brow.

“Hey, I worked hard today.”

“I pity the poor woman who marries you and has to feed you.”

His stomach twisted at that comment, but he left it alone. “My mom said the same thing when I was a teenager.”

“I’m sure she did.”

They cleaned up the dishes and went into the living room. He stretched out on the sofa and slung his arm over the back. Savannah curled up next to him. He liked that she was comfortable enough, even when they were about to discuss business, to sit by him.

“So what did you want to talk about?”

She shifted to face him. “We’ve talked about your contributions to charity in the past.”

“Yeah.”

“A lot of players start their own charities. I think this would be a good idea for you, not only from an image standpoint, but more important, from a humanitarian one.”

“I’ve never done it before because I wasn’t in a place that felt like home to me. Now that I am home, this is a good place to begin one.”

She half turned to face him, a look of surprise on her face. “What? No arguing?”

“I know. Surprise, huh?”

She grinned. “Totally shocked, actually.”

“Smart-ass.”

“But seriously, I’m glad you agree with me. Is there anything that comes to mind?”

It was something he’d already been thinking about, so he already had a half-formed idea in his head. “When I was a kid, I lived at the local parks. My friends and I would hang out on the equipment, or play basketball or football. A lot of the playgrounds around here need refurbishing. Cities don’t have the money in their budgets to spend on parks and recreation anymore, and kids don’t have places to go. When they don’t have a place to hang out and have fun, they get in trouble.”

“That’s very true. So what’s your idea?”

“I want to refurbish some existing playgrounds and build some community centers where kids have a safe place to hang out and play sports.”

“You’re talking a lot of money.”

He shrugged. “I have a lot of money. I’ve been in the league for a while now. I’m single and I’ve been investing. I’ve got money to put into this.”

She laid her hand on his arm and gave him a smile that warmed him from the inside out. “I love this idea. This is a such a worthwhile investment, Cole.”

“For my image, you mean.”

“No. For you. For the kids of the communities you’re going to help.”

“Good. Let’s get it started. I want to be as hands-on with it as I can. I know with the season about to start I’ll be busy a lot, but I don’t want to staff all of it out.”

“You don’t have to. A lot of it will be hands-on building and rebuilding. You can be involved in that, and get your family and friends to participate. The more volunteers we have on these projects, the better.”

“I know my family would love to get involved. Some of the guys on the team will, too.”

“I’ll get in touch with an attorney who’ll help start the foundation paperwork so you can get the money funneled into it. In the meantime, we can go search for parks and locations.”

He stood. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To look at locations.”

“Now?”

“Yeah.”

She laughed. “You’re excited about this.”

“Shouldn’t I be?”

She stood and slipped her hand in his. “Yes, you should be. You should be very excited about it. But the Cole Riley I met the first day wouldn’t have been.”

He pulled his keys out of his pocket. “That guy doesn’t exist anymore.”

SAVANNAH STOOD IN A FORMER PLAYGROUND IN South City overgrown with weeds and debris. Equipment—at least the equipment that still stood—was broken and long ago rusted.

Kids ran up and down the neighborhood, and some ran through the playground, but none stopped to play. Then again, why should they? There was nothing to play on. No swing sets, no basketball nets, and the grass had long ago stopped growing.

It made her sad, but also hopeful, because she saw the potential. Put in new sod, resurface the asphalt, put up some nets and new equipment and the myriad kids she saw running around here would have a place to come play.

“We used to live a couple blocks from here,” Cole said as he spun the rickety old merry-go-round, which let out a pathetic, rust-induced squeak.

“Some of the equipment that’s still standing is dangerous.”

He grinned. “Yeah. We’d spin around on this thing with our heads hanging off, going faster and faster until we got sick. Or we’d stand up and spin, then go flying off.”

She shook her head. “They make safer equipment these days.”

“So I’ve heard.” He looked at her. “What fun is that?”

“I’m sure kids find enough danger without playground equipment doing that for them.”

“If you say so. It’s more fun to live life on the edge.”

“You’re such a boy. I hope if I ever get married and have kids, I have all girls.”

He laughed. “There were plenty of girls taking that merry-go-round ride with us. Girls can be daredevils, too.”

She lifted her chin. “Mine won’t be.”

“Famous last words, Peaches. You’ll probably have six boys. All holy terrors.”

Her eyes widened. “That is not funny.”

“I have no doubt you could handle them. You handled me.”

Savannah’s heart twisted at the thought of six boys, and then her mind filled with visions of dark hair and stormy gray eyes—all little versions of Cole, with the two of them running roughshod over a herd of sons.

No. She had to get that thought out of her head. He wasn’t the marrying type and she’d already sworn she was never getting married and absolutely never having children. Double heartache wrapped in a messy, ugly black bow.

No, thank you.

So why was she suddenly thinking of kids and playgrounds and houses and families and Cole?

She met his gaze and he was giving her a look. “What?”

“You have this sappy, contented smile on your face.”

“I do not.”

“Thinking about those six little boys you’re going to have, no doubt.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Stop it. I’m not having kids.”

“Really. And why is that?”

“I don’t want to talk about this.” She started toward the car.

He opened the door for her and she slid in. As they drove, she was aware of the silence but didn’t know what to say to change that.

The second playground was much the same as the first—in dire need of repair. At least she had something to talk about now as she envisioned bright playground equipment and a swarm of kids enjoying the renewal of the park.

“This is such a great idea, Cole.”

He nodded. “I’m eager to get started. How long do you think it’ll take to do the paperwork?”

“Not long. Setting up the foundation is merely a formality. I’ll be sure to have Don make it a priority.”

“Thanks.”

They looked at a few other locations where there were no parks, but it was obvious they were needed.

“So, are you afraid of kids?”

She jerked her head in his direction. “What? No, I’m not afraid of kids. What gave you that idea?”

“The horrified look on your face when I teased you about having six boys?”

She disguised her discomfort at his bringing the topic up again with a laugh. “Oh, that. I think it was more the idea of having six sons. I love children.”

“Good to know.” He turned and headed back to the car.

“Why?” she asked after they’d gotten in.

“Why what?”

“You said it was good to know that I liked children.”

“Oh. I want you to work on this foundation with me. If you hate kids, it wouldn’t be much fun for you.”

“I’d love to work on this with you. I want to see these parks completed and filled with children playing.”

“Great.”

There was something he wasn’t saying. She wished she knew what it was. But she really wanted that topic closed, so she wasn’t going to ask.

“Since there’s a home game Sunday, we’re going to my aunt and uncle’s bar after the game,” he said. “There’s a party there to watch Mick’s game that night.”

“That sounds fun. Are you saying I’m invited?”

“Yes. Will you come?”

He was acting so strange. She shifted to face him. “I’d love to be there. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll pick you up after the game.”

“Cole, I’ll be at your game on Sunday. I can just follow you.”

“No. I’ll pick you up at your house after the game.”

“O-o-ka-ay. Whatever works best for you.”

“That works best for me.”

Now he was acting really odd. Eager and excited and also…shifting kind of uncomfortably, giving her these expectant looks. She didn’t know what to make of it.

“Is something wrong?”

He gave her a quick glance, then returned his focus to the road. “No. Why?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

She was reading too much into it. Her own discomfort, likely.

It was the whole kids thing. And her feelings about Cole, which were growing more intense every day. She didn’t know what to do about them—about him, or how she felt for him.

She’d always prided herself on being able to handle any situation, but this was new territory for her. She’d never planned to get involved with Cole at all, let alone fall in love with him. Not that she had an inkling of what love was all about.

Or what she was going to do about it now that she realized she was in love with him.

The mere thought of it scared her to death.

NINETEEN

IT WAS THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON. COLE WAS NO rookie, so this should be business as usual, but his stomach was tied up in knots as he and the rest of the team took the field.

New team jitters, probably. And the chance to do this all over like it was the first time for him.

Maybe it was a first time. Clean slate and all that shit. New image, fresh start, and a chance to show everyone he’d changed. He intended to focus on football, and keep the dramatics off the field this season.

The stadium was packed. It was a sellout and the fans roared when the Traders came out. Cole didn’t even try to block the sounds of the fans. He soaked it all in, drawing the energy of the crowd as he did his warm-ups, then took his spot on the sidelines with his teammates.

Kenny Lawton looked wide-eyed and a little sick. Cole grinned, remembering his own rookie year. He’d been so damn scared during that first game. He knew exactly how the kid felt, so he walked over to him to give him a pep talk.

“You’re going to see some action today, Lawton.”

“You think so? I know I did in preseason, but this is an actual game. They’re not gonna play me.”

“Coach Tallarino is known for getting his rookies in the game right out of the gate. You’ll take at least a pass or two. Best way to get over those jitters.”

“I’m not jittery.”

Yeah, not much. The kid was dancing around from foot to foot, and it was August and they were in a domed stadium, so he wasn’t moving around to keep warm. Kenny looked like he might pee his pants any second. Cole slapped him on the back of the helmet. “You’re going to kick some serious ass, Lawton.”