22. Chapter 17

I pull up to Brie's house and grab the peonies I picked up at the florist on my way here. I was waiting for Brenda to tease me with the smirk she was wearing; thankfully, she didn't. She did, however, tell me to let Brie know she said hello. I could feel the heat creeping up my face as I headed out with a wave.

When I go to grab the flowers sitting on the seat, I notice my hand shaking a little. I hold it steady and will my heart to slow its sprint. I'm a professional football player. If I know how to do anything on a moment's notice, it's focus. This is just Brie and I going out to dinner. It's nothing we haven't done before in the past, even if there were other people with us—we've eaten in public together.

It's just two friends, someone I've known almost my entire life, going out to eat. No big deal.

Yeah, that's not working. I can't deny the fact that I've been enjoying the time I spend with Brie more every second. I find myself thinking about her often, and not just because the guys keep teasing me. I've always enjoyed being around Brie. She's funny, kind, and keeps me on my toes with her wit. On top of that, I have always liked Brie. Susie wasn't wrong that day when she called me out about me being anxious that Brie might be interested in Adam. At least our fake dating means that she'll be permanently off-limits to all the boys.

I was asking both questions. Was Susie interested, and did she think Brie was interested? I just wasn't admitting it to her, or myself. Now, the more this fake dating goes on I can't help but wonder if my feelings are just because of the ruse or because there's something more.

I shake off my thoughts and knock on Brie's door. I have to do everything I can to keep my mouth from falling to the ground when the door opens. She looks absolutely stunning. Her hair is left down with loose curls and she's wearing a navy blue dress. The color brightens her skin and she glows. I can't stop myself from running my eyes over her from head to toe.

"Did I pass the ‘Josh Owens' date outfit test?" Her eyes dance as she teases me.

I clear my throat and pray I don't blush again at having been caught admiring her. "More than passed." I stand there like an idiot without saying anything else. I'm left rendered utterly speechless by the woman standing in front of me.

"Are those for me or did you bring yourself flowers?"

"Oh, yeah." I stiffly shove the flowers at her. "For you. Peonies aren't my thing. Brenda says ‘hi'."

Smooth Josh, smooth.

"Peonies?" She smiles and looks at the flowers. "The dark pink are my favorite. How did you know?"

Her aunt has a slew of peony bushes in front of her house. Brie would always go and pick a couple for her room. I caught her more times than I can count throughout the years. "I used to see you pick them whenever the bushes were in bloom."

Her look of surprise and pleasure sucker punch me and has my heart trying to break free from the confines of my chest.

"You're going all out for this date I see." Her smile is like the sun and takes my breath away. "Let me put them in water."

I shove my hands in my pockets, not sure how to handle the emotions that are rising up, that have been rising up. I push them down.

"Ready?" I ask as she walks out and closes her door behind her.

"Yup. You?"

"You know me Brie, I'm ready for whatever comes my way." She laughs as I open the car door for her.

Unless it's falling for Brie. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

When we get to Rocco's it's a full house, and as the bell rings in our entry, all eyes are on us.

I chuckle under my breath as stunned silence suddenly becomes a murmur of conversation with stolen glances in our direction. "How are you? Are you okay being in the spotlight?" I whisper in Brie's ear and rest my hand on her back. To everyone watching it probably looks like an intimate lovers' moment.

When Brie doesn't respond I look at her face and see a wobbly smile. "Brie, look at me." I put my thumb on her chin and turn her face toward me. "Look at me," I say again when she doesn't meet my gaze. Finally she looks up at me and I see the fear in her eyes start to fade.

"It's just me and you. Nobody else. We're just going to have dinner," I say for her ears only and watch one of her bright Brianne Woodbury smiles break across her face as she relaxes. I'm stunned for a moment at the beauty in front of me. All I want to do is lean in and kiss her.

"You're right." She takes a step forward to the hostess stand. "Hey Maria, how are you?" Maria is one of the local high school students who works here on the weekends.

Her mouth is to the floor as she looks at Brie. "Table for two?" she asks, and snaps her mouth shut as if just realizing she was gaping.

"That would be great," I respond with a smile, while still watching Brie out of the corner of my eye. "Thank you."

Maria grabs two menus and leads us over to a table that is in the center of the room. "Here you go," she says, placing the menus on the plate settings.

"Thank you, Maria," Brie says as I pull out her chair for her.

"Nothing like feeling like a fish in a fishbowl," I whisper to her as she sits. She lets out a chuckle.

"Looks like we are on full display for everyone here." Her eyes are bright and the color on her face makes her look breathtaking. Once again I am caught off guard by the way she's affecting me.

"Shall we give them a show?" I ask quietly as I pick up my menu and pretend to look at it. Trying to distract myself from the beautiful woman sitting across the table from me. I look up at her and for a moment see the panic again. I grab her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. "We're just having fun. This is nothing that you and I haven't done before, people are just assuming something about us."

The look in her eyes changes and she gets serious. "Is this what your life is like? People staring at you wherever you go?"

"Not usually at Rocco's, no." I laugh and lean in, trying to keep our conversation private. "But when I'm out of town or more by the stadium, yes." She squeezes my hand back and I realize I never want to let hers go.

"I never really thought about what being a professional football player would be like."

"Eyes on you and whispers behind hands is pretty typical. You get used to it." I let go of her hand and pick up my menu again with an attempt to change the topic. Living in the spotlight isn't always easy and I find myself worried about what Brie's thinking and feeling. I remind myself this situation is only temporary and not to worry about how Brie would handle this long term. My stomach dips at the thought.

"Do you know what you want to eat?"

"I see what you did there." I look up to find Brie grinning at me. "Of course I know what I want. It's Rocco's. I'll get my usual."

"Ah, yes the Chicken Francese." Her eyes widen and I laugh. "Will you please stop acting like we've never eaten dinner together? You rave when your aunt makes that for us."

"It's not that," she murmurs, glancing down at her menu, a pleased smile on her face. "It's that you pay attention and remember the things I like. That surprises me."

Her words catch me off guard. Doesn't everyone pay attention to things their friends like? I mean yeah, I know she likes peonies and Chicken Francese. Is that really such a big deal?

"Can I get you something to drink?" Our waitress asks. It's Maria again.

"Wearing two hats tonight?" Brie asks with a chuckle.

"Yeah. Seems like we're a bit extra busy tonight." She waggles her eyebrows and both of us laugh.

"Sorry about that." I smile at her.

"Oh no." she waves her hand. "Rocco's is over the moon for the publicity he's going to get from you two choosing to have dinner here."

"Awesome. As for our drinks, can I get water with lemon and Brie will have a glass of white wine, with water on the side." Again, Brie looks at me with surprise. If this were a real date I'd be getting so many brownie points. "And for dinner I'd like the Eggplant Parmesan and Brie will have the Chicken Francese."

"What type of pasta?"

"Penne for both of us please. Is that good?" I meet Brie's intense gaze as she looks at me like she's seeing me for the first time.

"Perfect," she says with narrowed eyes and hands her menu to Maria with a smile. "Thank you, Maria."

"I'll be right back with your drinks."

"What?" I exclaim when Brie continues staring at me with that look. She shakes her head and glances around the restaurant.

"Wow. Maria wasn't kidding." Every table in the place is taken and it looks like there are people waiting for seats. She looks back at me and winks. My heart skips a beat. "Looks like you draw a crowd."

I reach out, grab her hand and turn it over, palm facing up. Before stopping to think about what I'm doing I look directly in her eyes, lean down and place a kiss right in the middle. I feel her pulse speed up with my thumb on her wrist. "I'm pretty sure it's not just about me tonight."

"You better be careful Mr. Owens," she says as a blush creeps up her cheeks. "I might just like this version of you."

"I'm pretty sure you like all versions of me," I tease as I let go of her hand and laugh.

"And he's back, ladies and gentleman." She rolls her eyes and laughs with me.

Maria drops off our drinks.

"Shall we toast?" I raise my water and she raises her glass of wine. "To a fun evening, with the perfect partner in crime." I take a sip, my gaze fixed on Brie's the entire time. Her eyes are shiny with a mischievous glint.

The perfect partner in crime, indeed.