“How do you know Josh?” Brock asked Shay.

They were sitting in the waiting room as they waited for Josh to finish his visit with the team doctor.

Did she want to tell him the crazy way she’d met Josh? Not really. “He, uh, I’m helping him with his garden.”

Brock’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t know he was into gardening.”

Holding back a smile, Shay said, “It’s a new hobby for him.”

“Guess he won’t be working out there anytime soon.”

The reminder that he’d injured his shoulder, and that it would impact his day to day activities, not to mention his career, sent a fresh burst of remorse through Shay. “Yeah. Guess not.” She would be more than happy to do all the work in the garden. It was the least she could do.

“So,” she began, ready to get some info. “Are you on Josh’s team?”

“Yep.”

“What position do you play?”

One side of Brock’s mouth turned up in a smile. “Tight end.”

Embarrassed that she had no clue what that meant, she smiled. “I don’t actually know all that much about football. What does a tight end do?”

“I have a few responsibilities, like protecting the quarterback from the other team and opening up a hole for the tailback to run through. And a lot of times I take on the job of wide receiver.”

The names of the positions were familiar to her, but Shay didn’t know much more than that. Will liked to watch football, but when he did, Shay usually found other things to do as he would get worked up when his team wasn’t doing well and she didn’t like to be around him at those times.

Pushing aside thoughts of her ex, she asked, “How long have you known Josh?”

Brock stretched out his long legs. “We were on the same college team before we were drafted onto the Vipers, so I guess we’ve known each other for about…” His gaze went to the ceiling. “Eight years.”

Curious to know Josh’s dating history, Shay didn’t dare ask his friend, who would most likely tell Josh that she’d asked.

It was a good thing she didn’t ask as Josh came out of the doctor’s office just then. He seemed happier than he’d been earlier, which gave Shay hope that he’d gotten good news.

“What’s the verdict?” Brock asked.

“Couple weeks of rest, then I’ll start physical therapy. I should be good as new a few weeks into preseason training.”

“Awesome.” Brock stood. “Now what?”

“Now you either take us back to my place, or I call an Uber.” Josh smiled. “Either way is fine with me.”

“You know I would, bro, but I’ve got plans this evening.”

“No worries. Thanks for all your help today.”

“Anytime.” Brock turned to Shay. “Have fun with your garden.” Then he tossed a smirk at Josh before walking out the door.

“You told him about the garden,” Josh said with a half-smile.

Had that been a mistake? Was she not supposed to? “I’m sorry. I thought…”

“No,” he said with a laugh. “It’s fine.”

Relieved that she hadn’t screwed up again, Shay smiled.

* * *

Josh preferred it when Shay smiled—her emerald-green eyes lit up and her body relaxed. Much better than when she was worried. He’d seen that a lot with her lately and he didn’t like it. Then again, he figured she had a few things in her life to worry about, so he couldn’t blame her for feeling that way.

And now that he’d talked to the team doc, he felt better about his prognosis and he was confident he’d be ready to start when the season began. That was all that mattered.

Twenty minutes later he sat with Shay in the back of an Uber. The car was small and not much space separated him from her. He noticed her eyelids drooping and knew she must be exhausted after all that had happened that morning.

“You should sleep. It will take more than an hour to get back to my cabin.” Then, not able to help himself, he put his left arm around her and tugged her against him.

She smiled at him, then after moving to the middle of the bench seat and putting the seatbelt on, she snuggled close to him before closing her eyes. Liking the feel of her body pressed against his, Josh had to suppress the urge to lift her chin and kiss her.

Surprised at himself, he wondered what it was about her that drew him to her so powerfully. Though he knew part of it was her vulnerability, that was only a small part. He liked that she didn’t seem overly impressed with his job, and that she’d gotten to know him as a regular guy. He liked that she didn’t expect him to pay her way and, in fact, wanted to pay him back for what was basically pocket change to him. He liked her passion for gardening and her ability to work hard, and he liked that she took responsibility for her choices, even when they led her to a bad place. With a smile, he admitted that he kind of liked the stubborn streak she displayed from time to time.

And to top it all off, she was gorgeous, with those emerald-green eyes and that sweet smile that showed her dimples.

Okay, now he really wanted to kiss her, but he could tell by her breathing that she’d fallen asleep. Glad she was getting some rest, he contented himself with having her pressed up against him as they drove home.