The next day when it was time for Hank’s game to start, Mari and Harper snuggled on the couch, bowls of popcorn on their laps and a tray of veggies and dip on the coffee table.

“Have you ever watched your daddy on TV before?” Mari asked as a player on the opposing team kicked the ball.

She shook her head.

Mari kept a sharp eye on the screen as the offense for the Sacramento Vipers took the field. Where was Hank? “There he is!” Mari shouted a little too loudly.

Harper jumped.

Softly laughing, Mari said, “Sorry, sweetheart.”

Harper laughed too. “I got scared on accident.”

That made Mari laugh harder. “Yes. I startled you.”

Looking at the TV, Harper asked, “Where’s my daddy?”

“Do you see the numbers three and one on that man?”

“Yes.”

“That’s him. He’s number thirty-one.”

“I can’t see him.”

“It’s hard to see his face with his helmet on.”

But Mari had no trouble recognizing him, and he looked hotter than ever. Sexy and strong and powerful and…

That’s Harper’s father and London’s ex-husband, so stop noticing how hot he is.

Knowing that would be impossible, Mari instead tried to focus on the game unfolding before her, and whenever the quarterback, Josh Wisner, handed Hank the ball, she couldn’t stop from shouting, “Go, go, go!”

When Mari cheered, Harper cheered as well, and when Mari clapped, Harper clapped.

The only thing Mari didn’t like was seeing Hank get tackled, which happened over and over. But when he made a touchdown, that was about as exciting as it got. The camera zoomed in on him and she could see the grin under his helmet.

When the game was over and the Vipers had won, Mari was beyond eager to give her report to Hank. Okay, she was just beyond eager to see him, to have him standing in front of her. Better yet, to have him standing behind her as he taught her how to play pool.

The thought sent a powerful tingle to the tips of her toes.

That night, anxious to see Hank, Mari put Harper to bed before carrying her eReader down to the family room and settling onto the couch. Hopeful he wouldn’t be home too late, when she heard the front door open, her heart went into a gallop.

Should she greet him at the door or wait for him to find her? What if he went straight upstairs and never saw her, never knew she was waiting for him? Would it be weird for her to approach him? What if he was too tired to talk? He had to be exhausted.

While her mind ran through the possibilities, Hank walked into the kitchen and took a glass out of the cupboard. He hadn’t noticed her yet—a large table sat between the family room and the kitchen—so she decided she’d better speak up.

“Great game,” she said, and when he spun around, she laughed. His face seemed to light up, which pleased her beyond measure.

“You watched it, huh?”

She stood and walked into the kitchen, sliding onto a barstool. “Yep. So did Harper.”

* * *

Hank hadn’t expected to see Mari that night. Had she been waiting for him? Of course she had. Hmm. What did that mean?

Still on his game-winning high, he grinned as he leaned against the counter, the island between him and Mari. “She did?” Then he laughed. “For about five minutes, I’ll bet.”

Mari shook her head. “She might have lost interest when you guys were on defense, but she was very interested when you were on the field.”

How interested had Mari been? “What did you think of the game?”

“I have to admit, it was a lot more exciting than I expected.” She chuckled. “Then again, I’m sure it helped that I was cheering for your team.”

Just his team? Or him too? Curious, he wasn’t about to ask. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“Thank you for the easel and the supplies,” she said, a shy smile curving her mouth. “That was totally unexpected.”

“You’re welcome.” One of his eyebrows arched. “Have you put them to use?”

“Most definitely.”

“And will you show me what you painted?”

“I’m not done yet, but when I am you can see it.”

He nodded, then downed the glass of water he’d poured.

“What’s your schedule tomorrow?” Mari asked. “I mean, I know Harper will want to see you.”

He hoped it was more than Harper who wanted to see him. “Since we won, it will be a bit easier tomorrow. I’ll be home around one-thirty.”

“Okay.”

Though he enjoyed this time with her, he was exhausted. “I’m beat, but I’ll see you and Harper tomorrow.”

“Of course.” She climbed off the bar stool. “Sorry I kept you.”

Shaking his head, he smiled, “No worries. I enjoyed talking to you.” He decided to say it. “Seeing you tonight was a nice surprise.”

* * *

Really? Thrilled to hear that, Mari’s lips tugged upward. “I just…I had to let you know I enjoyed the game.”

“I’m happy to hear it.” Then he walked around the counter and motioned upstairs. “Shall we?”

Blushing furiously at the thought that they were going upstairs together, Mari nodded. What was wrong with her? Both of their bedrooms were upstairs. Why was her mind going in any other direction?

When they reached the landing, Hank wished her good-night before turning and walking toward his room. Forcing herself not to stare after him, Mari turned in the opposite direction and walked to her room, her mind jumping ahead to the next afternoon when Hank would return.