Romancing the Running Back Read Online Free

he kissed the crown of her head.
    Anya sighed a little.
    One of the linemen made a gagging noise.
    Cassie threw a potato chip at him.
    Josiah concentrated on his plate.
    “Anyway, I’m just not up for it. Why?” Her gaze grew sharper on her friend. “What’s up?”
    “Can’t a girl ask a question?” Anya held up her hands in surrender. “Moving on . . . dress shopping on Tuesday. You asked off, right?”
    “Not a problem. With these guys leaving tomorrow, our load lightens a little.” Cassie motioned for the plate of meat to be passed back her way, then stabbed two hot dogs and dragged them to her plate. The lady ate, which Josiah loved. “You can drag me all over the state looking for a dress . . . but please don’t. I want to still be sane after this is all over.”
    “Sane, check. Don’t worry, I’ve been doing some research. We’ve got it covered. Actually, while I’m here . . .” Anya grinned slowly. “We should really make a big, master list of all that needs to be done. Including the guys’ responsibilities.”
    “I’m already done. Step One: Buy the ring.” Trey held up Cassie’s hand, which gave Matt’s ring a run for its money. “Step Two: Show up on the day. I promise to do that. And I’m out.”
    “Good try, bubba. You’ve got work to do. It might not be as extensive as your bride-to-be’s, but it exists. But hey, you’re a leader.” Anya waved airily. “Feel free to delegate responsibilities to your groomsmen as you see fit. Like Josiah here.” She grinned at him, and he had a feeling the gesture was meant to make his balls shrivel.
    Instead, he felt a full blast of heat. Hot damn, the woman was gorgeous when she smiled like that. A little devious, a lot mischievous, and full-on grab-your-balls in charge. How could a single woman irritate and confuse him, then make him want to swipe all the plates off the picnic table and feast on her instead all at once? No wonder he got tongue-tied and accidentally insulting around her.
    “Josiah would probably love to make a list of appropriate bartending companies and interview them for the most discreet, appropriate choice.”
    “I was with you until the interview part,” he said, pointing his fork at her. It still had some potato salad on it. Not very intimidating. “Meeting bartenders, sure. I’ll even do a taste testing. Interviewing . . . not so much.”
    “My groomsmen are already falling down on the job,” Trey said with a sigh. “Anya, this might require a more firm hand.”
    “On it.” Her grin turned a little sharp as she eyed Josiah.
    He might need to examine later why that look, that
I can take you
look, gave him a boner.
    *   *   *
    “I know you weren’t asking purely for conversation, so give me the truth.” Cassie perched on the guest bed later that night. “And I know you’re not just here for wedding shopping. Spill. What’s up?”
    “I . . .” Anya sat down at the desk and spread her nighttime routine items in front of her. Everything was easier when she had her things nearby. “I might want to expand my side consultation business. I’m doing more of it, and the rates I chargefor private consultations are way better than I am making at the store. I want to be in business for myself.”
    More control. More risk. But more reward.
    “And you want a website.”
    “Sort of. Not just a website, exactly. An experience. It’s going to be virtual. I want to be able to work with someone in Maine, or Oregon, or Florida. It needs to be more than just a website. Way beyond any basic, technical skills I have.”
    “All you had to do was ask.” Cassie flopped down on the bed. “My workload is lighter this week, so I’ll be leaving the office an hour earlier each day. Except for Tuesday, when we will be dress-shopping. Maybe when the guys leave tomorrow, we can sit down and go over parameters of what you’re looking for, and work on it this week. Before you leave, we can have that all nailed