To Win Her Back

by Mackenzie Crowne

  “He’s—”

  “Hungry, too.” Sam shot Lucy a hard glance that looked like a warning to V. The girl fluttered her lashes innocently, but whatever their silent communication was about, she didn’t say another word.

  V checked her watch. “We’re supposed to meet the realtor in forty-five minutes, but the complex has an okay cafeteria. We could grab something to go.”

  Lucy’s eyes lit up. “Do they have pizza?”

  “You had pizza twice this week,” Sam complained.

  “I like pizza.”

  Sam opened his mouth, but V cut him off with a smile for Lucy. “We’ll skip the cafeteria. I know where they make the best pizza in town, and it’s on our way.”

  Chapter 5

  Over the next few hours, it became abundantly clear to V that wherever Lucy’s mother was, she was no longer in the picture. At least not as far as Sam was concerned. Not that his marital status mattered, but what woman would let her husband and teenage daughter choose their new home without her? And hire live-in help to watch over Lucy when Sam traveled with the team? That wouldn’t be necessary if he had a wife stashed away somewhere.

  In addition, it appeared Sam had given Lucy the final say on where they lived. Much to the real estate broker’s frustration, Sam’s daughter had turned up her nose at the first two houses they’d toured. Her watchful silence, however, since they’d arrived at the third, was telling. V couldn’t blame her. If the choice were up to her, the search would be over.

  Built in the twenties, the three-story house had recently been renovated to include all the modern amenities buyers expected while maintaining old-fashioned details not found in newer buildings. Thirty minutes by car to the city, the neighborhood had a small village feel and was a magnet for young families. In fact, Jake and Gracie Malone were among its residents. Their historic farm house sat less than a mile away on the far end of the sprawling park and golf course at the end of the street.

  Aside from the conveniences, like the train station two blocks over and the many restaurants and shops within a short walk to Main Street, the house itself was beautiful. While V had secretly lusted over the chef’s dream that was the kitchen, and cooed over the original hardwood floors and intricate crown molding, Lucy lost her heart on the third floor. The moment the teenager stepped into the large attic bedroom, helpless pleasure replaced the perpetual look of boredom she’d worn most of the day.

  “The third floor has its own separate heating and cooling system.” The real estate agent moved past V and Sam to a curtained doorway. He held the drapes aside. “There’s additional space through here. It’s large enough to act as a small fourth bedroom or a private seating or storage area. The previous owner had a teenage daughter. I believe she used it as a large walk-in closet.”

  Lucy glanced through the doorway, but it was obvious the canopied bed and reading nook had claimed her interest. “Does all this stuff come with it?”

  Sensing victory, the real estate agent smiled. “All the furnishings are included.” He turned to Sam. “The house is move-in ready, per Caroline’s instructions. Of course, you’ll have your own things and if there is anything you don’t like, it can be removed or replaced.”

  In silence, Lucy roamed about the room. As if greeting the space through touch, she dragged her fingertips over the surface of the antique roll-top desk, then crossed to the bed to test the mattress with several healthy bounces. Wrapping her hand around one of the cherry posts, she rose and moved toward the oversized chair and ottoman tucked into the dormer. A slight whimper escaped her lips as she slipped into the chair.

  V glanced at Sam and arched a brow. Unless she misread Lucy, the Fitzpatricks had found their new home.

  He crossed his arms. “Well, kid. What do you think?”

  Lucy affected a bored shrug with a roll of her thin shoulders. “I guess it’s okay, but what about ballet?” She shot Sam an accusing stare, then turned to meet V’s gaze. “He promised.”

  V smiled as Sam sent the broker a questioning glance. “There’s bound to be a class somewhere in town.”

  The man nodded. “The village has a top-notch studio three blocks from here and the den off the pantry can easily be converted into a nanny’s quarters.”

  “Housekeeper,” Sam quickly corrected before Lucy could voice a complaint.

  The man smiled and cleared his throat. “If you’ve made your decision, I’ll walk you through the security system. All you’ll need then are the keys, which I happen to have in my briefcase downstairs.”

  Sam glanced at Lucy with a raised brow. “Have we made a decision?”

  She shrugged, but there was no missing the excited anticipation in her dark eyes. V’s heart constricted as Sam dipped his chin and winked at his daughter, then turned to the real estate agent.

  “I’ll take those keys.”

  Sam descended the stairs behind the man, but Lucy was slow to follow. Her gaze trailed him until he disappeared. Once he had, her shoulders sagged and she blinked. Her gaze went stark as she glanced around the room.

  Concerned and unsure of what had stolen the girl’s excitement of a moment before, V walked over and sat on the edge of the ottoman. “What’s wrong? I thought you liked the house, but if you don’t, there are others we can look at.”

  “How could I not like the house? It’s beautiful.” Her dark eyes flicked to V and she shook her head. “It’s just…everything is happening so fast. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find out this is all a mistake.”

  V smiled softly. “I’ll bet it feels that way. Things move pretty quickly in the world of pro sports, especially during the playoffs, and this is a big move. For both of you.”

  Lucy lowered her head. With her fingernail, she drew designs on the chair next to her hip. “Sam said this job is a big deal. That he wanted it so bad he could taste it.”

  His second chance at the pros.

  V didn’t have to imagine how much this opportunity meant to him. She’d witnessed his devastation when he’d lost his chance to play with the pros. She cleared her throat against the sudden constriction in her windpipe. “Well, it sounds like he plans to take it. Once he signs the papers it’s a done deal, and things will slow down when you’re moved in and settled.”

  “I hope so.” Eyes full of an almost painful yearning, Lucy glanced around the room once more. Rising to her feet, she headed for the stairs, leaving V to follow.

  When they reached the first-floor landing, Sam waved Lucy to his side so she could listen in as the agent explained the workings of the security panel beside the front door. V’s phone vibrated in her pocket and she tugged it free. Jake’s picture showed on the screen. She excused herself and slipped into the kitchen.

  “I’ve got some news you’re not going to like,” Jake said instead of a greeting.

  V slumped against the granite island in the center of the room. “If it involves Sam Fitzpatrick, I’ve already heard.”

  “You knew the Marauders were courting him?”

  “Since last Thursday.”

  “Well, hell. Thanks for telling me.”

  She bristled at his grumbled tone. “He’s your friend. If he wanted you to know about the offer, he could have told you himself.”

  “V—” Disappointment deepened his voice.

  “I know.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose. She knew they’d remained friends over the years. Which couldn’t have been easy. Not with her between them. But though he’d disapproved of the way she’d treated Sam, Jake had never given her a reason to doubt his friendship or his support. “That was a bitchy thing to say. I’m sorry.”

  He didn’t respond for a moment, then he coughed. “Excuse me? I thought I just heard you apologize. We must have a bad connection.”

  She dropped her hand and a small smile tweaked her lips. “Shut up.”

  His chuckle vibrated through the phone. “How you doing?”

  Guilt tightened her throat and she glance
d around toward the mumbled voices floating from the foyer. “How do you think?”

  Several heartbeats passed, then he spoke softly. “I think it’s been a long time. Long enough for you and Sam to deal with whatever happened and put it behind you.”

  Fifty years wouldn’t be long enough to do that, and after so much time, what would be the point? “Jake. Please.” She steered the conversation into safer waters. “How did you hear, anyway? He hasn’t actually signed yet, and I know for a fact the press release hasn’t gone out because I haven’t written it yet.”

  He let the diversion stand, but his sigh said he saw it for what it was. “Gracie and I spent the weekend at the lake house. I called Tom when I spotted Sam in Caroline’s box while watching yesterday’s game. Have you seen him yet?”

  “If I walk around the corner, I can describe what he’s wearing.” But she didn’t need to take a step, or rely on her mind’s eye to recall the faded jeans hugging his muscled thighs, or the gray sweater, so soft it begged to be stroked, molded to the plains of his broad chest. Sam appeared in the kitchen doorway, and she fought the urge to slap her hand over her eyes.

  Definitely kryptonite.

  Sam cocked his head and eyed the phone in her hand. “We’re ready to go when you are.”

  “Is that him?” Jake demanded in her ear.

  “Um. Yeah.”

  A second voice sounded in the background through the phone and Jake laughed. “Put him on. Gracie wants to talk to him.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Jake might never have followed through on his threat to lock her and Sam in a room together so they could hash things out, but Gracie was another matter. Several years ago, V had made the mistake of attending “Girls’ Night” with Gracie and company. Thanks to a ridiculous game of Truth or Dare, and several bottles of chardonnay, V had named Sam as the one that got away. Too embarrassed later to admit she’d actually thrown him away, she’d never corrected the record. With him in town, V wouldn’t put it past her friend to play Cupid.

  Sam arched a brow, and she swallowed. Hard. After Florida, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t take the coward’s way out ever again, so lying was out, but for God’s sake, wasn’t this situation bad enough already?

  Her lips curled in a pained smile. “It’s Gracie Malone. She wants to speak to you.”

  Genuine pleasure softened his features, and he stepped forward. V held out the phone, her arm stretched as far as it would go. No freaking way was she letting him close enough to touch her again.

  He studied her face and, as if he’d read her mind, brushed his fingers over hers as he accepted the phone. She dropped her arm and curled her tingling fingers into a fist.

  “Hiya, gorgeous.” Subtle laughter sparkled in his eyes, but V wasn’t sure if his humor was directed at her or at the woman on the other end of the connection. She held firm beneath his steady regard—and wished to hell she could hear what Gracie was saying.

  “Yeah, since yesterday. We’ve been looking at houses all afternoon.” His lips quirked at one corner as he listened. “I doubt she volunteered.”

  The taunting gleam in his eyes left little doubt to whom he was referring. V turned away and wandered to the French doors overlooking the deck.

  “I think this last one might do.” He was silent for several seconds. “I’m not really sure, since I don’t know the area. Somewhere in Flushing. There’s a golf course down the street.”

  Even at a distance, V heard Gracie’s excited exclamation, and glanced over her shoulder.

  “You’re kidding?” Surprise wrinkled his brow. “No, our night is free. Sounds good. We’ll see you as soon as we finish up here.” He thumbed the screen and ended the call.

  V’s stomach dropped in a free fall at his sardonic smile.

  “You didn’t mention Jake and Gracie were so close by. I hope you don’t mind, but they’re expecting us at their place for dinner.”

  The warning bells returned in a nearly deafening clang. Oh, hell no. She made a show of checking her watch. “It’s late and I’ve got to get back to the city. You can take the SUV. I’ll call a car.”

  Sam shot a pointed glance at the kitchen doors. Late afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass. Challenge gleamed in his eyes when he met her gaze once more. “You’re the one who suggested a truce.” He held out her phone. “We’ll be boarding a plane together in a couple of days. Are you telling me you can’t handle dinner with friends?”

  Chapter 6

  “She’s beautiful, Sam.”

  Sam slid his gaze to the foyer, where Lucy and the Malones’ ten-year-old adopted twin daughters clomped up the staircase, and shook his head. New to the parenting game, he already knew how difficult it was. He couldn’t imagine raising one set of twins, never mind two, but Jake and Gracie made it look easy. The chubby toddler in Lucy’s arms gummed a smile and patted her cheek. His twin brother squealed and attempted to break the hold of one of his older sisters. Their giggles and laughter were nearly drowned out by the barking of Murphy, the family’s rangy dog.

  Sam chuckled and turned to Gracie. “She looks like her mother.” He winced. “Except for the purple hair.”

  Eyes full of understanding, she smiled. “It’s just a phase. She’ll grow out of it.”

  Jake winked at his wife. “How much do you want to bet the girls demand a trip to the store for a box of hair color in the morning?”

  She tossed her head and returned his wink with a teasing smile. “Hair wars are your responsibility this week, Malone.”

  Jake groaned, and she patted his knee with a laugh.

  “Speaking of Lucy’s mother, will she be joining you when you move to Manhattan?”

  All eyes swung to V. She sat poker stiff on one of the den’s wingback chairs. Her eyes were wide with horror, as if the question had slipped from her lips against her will. Sam choked back a sardonic laugh as she brought her wine glass to her lips and swallowed deeply. He’d wondered when she’d get around to asking about Lucy’s mother. The girl he remembered would have done so immediately, but she hadn’t blinked an eye when he’d introduced Lucy, whose age clearly put her conception within months of V’s departure from his life. Instead, she’d exhibited a remarkable lack of curiosity all day. He’d chalked it up to a lack of interest. The proof she wasn’t completely unaffected was as surprising as it was gratifying.

  Drumming his fingertips against his knee, he held her embarrassed gaze. He carried no guilt for those months after he’d blown his knee and she’d walked out. His entire world had fallen apart, and he’d survived the only way he knew how. Maggie had been only the first in a long line of women, but he refused to make excuses for the way he’d chosen to live his life. The fact was, he didn’t give a fuck what people thought, including V.

  “Lucy’s mother and I haven’t been together for a long time. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. Lucy came to live with me when Maggie died four months ago.”

  “I’m sorry, Sam.” Gracie’s voice was heavy with pain and understanding as her gaze flicked toward the staircase. Jake tightened his arm around her shoulders.

  Sam winced, remembering the custody battle Jake and Gracie had fought over the twin girls when their father died. Their mother, Gracie’s sister, had succumbed to cancer several years earlier. Sam struggled for something to say. He didn’t get the chance.

  “I’m sorry, too.”

  He turned his head at V’s soft voice. Sober and still, she held her wine glass in clenched fingers. The genuine regret in her eyes hit him like a sledgehammer. His heart thumped against his ribs as his mind superimposed another apology over the simple one she offered. Christ. What he would have given to hear those words back when they still mattered. He told himself they no longer did.

  With a derisive snort, he turned away. Guilt he shouldn’t feel slammed into him as he met Jake’s disappointed stare. Gracie’s narrowed gaze fell closer to condemnation. She cleared her throat and stood
. Sam pushed forward to do so as well.

  She waved him off. “Sit. Visit. I’m going to put the boys to bed.”

  “Can I help?”

  The note of desperation in V’s voice drew Sam’s attention, but she ducked her head. Her dark red curls shielded her face as she set her glass on the coffee table and joined Gracie.

  “Are you kidding?” Gracie’s smile appeared forced to Sam, but she laughed and tucked her arm through V’s, pulling her toward the stairs. “Roll up your sleeves, sweetie. Bathing the octopuses is like being waterboarded.”

  V’s low laugh sent a lash of heat straight to Sam’s groin. He cursed beneath his breath even as his gaze clung to the slow swing of her hips as she climbed the stairs. He shifted in his chair. Damn it, what the hell was wrong with him? He’d put V behind him a long time ago, but it was painfully obvious his dick hadn’t gotten the memo.

  The constant shift of emotion in her eyes wasn’t helping. Her guilt he could understand. If anyone should be apologizing, it was her, but he hadn’t missed the flash of feminine awareness when he’d taken her hand to accept her truce, and then again as he’d returned her phone.

  Though she talked a good game, he could tell he made her nervous. Why that was, when she’d been the one to walk away, he didn’t know and shouldn’t care, but like a dog on the scent, his head insisted he sniff out the reason.

  “Awkward.”

  He met Jake’s wry smile, then coughed a dry laugh. “Tell me about it.”

  The humor slid from his friend’s face. He leaned forward to prop his forearms on his knees and stared at the floor. “Any possibility you could cut her some slack?”

  Sam frowned at the unexpected request. “I didn’t ask to be thrown into this situation.”

  “Neither did she.” Jake looked up. The intent gleam in his eyes was the same one he flashed all those years ago, when he’d arrived at the garage to deliver his warning after Sam and V’s first date.

  Sam sat forward to set his wine glass on the table. “We’re not in high school anymore, and the shit that went down between V and me is a lot more complicated than sharing an ice cream cone on a Saturday night.”