Clutch Hit Faith O'Shea (red queen free ebook txt) 📖

“She is the sky he takes flight in.”

There was a troubled expression on her face as if she understood but didn’t want to.

“Rumi, again?”

“My interpretation of him, anyway. It says it all, don’t you think?”

Her eyes had met his, and he saw yearning there. He pressed a light kiss on her lips and whispered, “You are my sky, Allie. Don’t ever doubt it. I would like you to come, meet her.”

Allie drew a bolstering breath. “I am curious.”

“There are several articles about her work in some science digests. You can Google her.”

She took his phone out of his hand and did exactly that. When Fiona’s picture came up, she gasped. “She isn’t who I expected.”

What was that? A great beauty? A willowy brunette with long hair and a mysterious smile?

For as much as she thought she knew the men she worked with, this told him she didn’t know Rique at all.

“You thought he was shallow. I told you he comes from a family that is love and he would not settle for less.”

She met his eyes, the confusion easy to read.

“Maybe I will tag along. It is part of my job to get to know the families.”

He took the phone back, and typed, Allie’s willing. Let us know when.

He tilted the screen so she could read the incoming. Hi, Mattie. It’s Fiona here. So glad I’ll get to see you again and I can’t wait to meet superwoman Allie.

“What does she mean superwoman Allie?”

He gave her a sardonic smile. “The guys gush about you. You can do no wrong.”

She got up and flounced away. “I do plenty of wrong. I just hide it better than most.”

“Our marriage, for one?”

“Yeah, but I’m not hiding that all that well. The list of who knows what is growing.”

“I might have forgotten to tell you, I let Seb in on our little secret.

Flustered, she spun around to face him.

“You what? Seb? Of all people…”

“He promised not to tell. And I trust him like you trust Casey.”

“I’ve known Casey for years and she’s better at keeping secrets than just about anyone.”

“By the way, I think he’s still in love with her.”

This caught her interest and she came back, plopping down beside him.

“What did he say?”

“It wasn’t exactly what he said but the expression on his face while saying it. There’s regret there.”

“For what exactly? That he made a mistake or he’s sorry he couldn’t give her what she wanted?”

“Two sides of the same coin. Regret is regret.”

Almost wistfully, she admitted, “They were so good for each other. No one ever saw the end coming.”

“I’m not sure it’s ended.”

“If you’re right, she can’t marry Greg. They are fighting a lot over her going to Sanford. I’m not sure which direction that’s going to go. She’d gotten a lot better at advocating for herself but—”

“I thought you were good at mediating? Go mediate.”

“Nope. I don’t tell my friends what to do.”

“Just your guys?”

“I suggest, not tell.”

“Who were you talking to this morning?”

“Nap. He’s grasping right now. He said he doesn’t mind staying in a utility role as long as he’s on the bench when we win the ring. He’s willing to do anything to be part of the team.”

“And?”

“I’m not suggesting we cut him. He can play a role. He’s a good athlete and he’s been with the team long enough to bring some experience. We need that as much as talent.”

He agreed.

“Who else?”

“Most of the texts were from the players in the minor leagues looking for assurances about Sanford. I checked in with a few Greenies. Everything’s good. When Larsen hired Mac, he side-stepped a lot of potential problems.”

“Made your life easier?”

“In a word? Yes.”

“Are you finished? I’m getting hungry. We can make lunch together.”

They’d skipped breakfast. There had been another hunger that had to be appeased before they began their day. That had been a five-star meal and he could still taste her sweetness.

After they’d walked into the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and scanned the interior. “What are you in the mood for?”

He stood at her back, nuzzled her neck. “You?”

“Don’t imbibe in too much of a good thing. It will get boring.”

“Mm. Not sure that’s possible.”

“Mateo. Focus. Food. What do you want?”

He bent down to see the offerings and pulled out a container of empanadas she’d gotten at Whole Foods. There were only two and he knew he’d have to go back for something else when he was finished. She pulled out a shrimp quesadilla, which she warmed up in the microwave, along with his.

She’d taken a couple of bites before she asked, “What do you want to do today?”

He stopped, his empanada halfway to his mouth, and looked up at her.

“With you?”

“Don’t let your brain travel to another room. I was thinking about walking around Faneuil Hall, showing you some of the city sights.”

“It is as historic as Havana?”

“We don’t go back to the thirteenth century, only the seventeenth.”

“Are there any old cemeteries?”

“Lots. You like them?”

“They have intrigued me here. People are…interred? Is that the right word? Forever. The stones tell the story of their lives.”

“Of course, they are. Why would you think differently?”

He explained the Cuban burial ceremony and when he was finished, her mouth was gaping open.

“They move them? Where? It doesn’t make any sense. Why don’t they just bury them where they end up and be done with it? Or cremate them and bury the urns? They can’t take up much room.”

He shrugged. “It is just the way it is done.”

“I’m glad it’s not done like that here. I can visit my grandparents whenever I want, know exactly where they’ll be every time I go. It’s comforting.”

He knew no matter where his grandfather was, he would not be able to visit the grave. Not now that he was here. Instead of having a mausoleum built, could he have his body brought here to be buried, so his mother could visit when she felt the need? He’d have to discuss it with her. Better he spend his money