The Secret (Single in Seattle 1)

“Do you watch football?” Kelly asks.

“Yeah, it’s sort of a religion in my family.”

My uncle Will is a football icon, but there’s no need to mention that here. I like that Vaughn doesn’t associate me with my father. He knows me as me and seems to like me just fine.

I want to keep it that way.

“Well, maybe you and Vaughn can join me at a game sometime soon,” Kelly offers. “It would be fun and a nice distraction because I’m always afraid my baby’s gonna get hurt.”

My family has a box at the stadium, but I just smile and nod. “I love to go to the home games. I’m always up for that. But you don’t have to worry about him. He’s a strong receiver and a fast runner.”

“I like her,” Kelly says, pointing at me with her fork.

“I do, too,” Vaughn murmurs. He’s sitting across from me and has been silently eating, listening to us. His green eyes are intent on mine, but he looks relaxed. “I didn’t realize you were a football fan.”

“We’ve known each other for less than a week,” I remind him. “I’d say there’s still an ocean-sized number of things we don’t know about each other.”

“Jamal and I have been married for five years,” Kelly says. “And I feel like I learn new things about him all the time.”

“Only good things, though. Right, baby doll?”

“Mostly good,” Kelly says and blows her husband a kiss. “So, you’re a costume designer, Olivia? That’s interesting.”

“And fun,” I reply with a smile. “I’ve been sewing clothes since I was a kid. I love fashion. And by the time I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to work with costumes for movies rather than be in high fashion.”

“From what I hear, you have a very promising career ahead of you,” Kelly says. “I might have asked around a bit.”

“Thanks.” I set my empty plate aside. “It’s exhausting, but my staff is talented and eager. I get to meet a lot of interesting people. Not to mention, the projects themselves aren’t boring in the least. The one I’m working on with Vaughn is a period piece.”

“I know. I’m Vaughn’s assistant.”

“I wondered,” I reply and then continue at Kelly’s raised brow. “I saw a photo of the two of you out last night. My roommate came across it.”

“And you thought I’d been out with someone last night after you stood me up?”

I nod thoughtfully and then say, “Yes, actually. I did. Kelly’s gorgeous, and Jamal wasn’t anywhere in sight in the photo.”

“Fucking paps,” Vaughn mutters and then looks at the couple. “The baby’s asleep so I can swear.”

I should have known better last night. My dad drilled it into my head for my entire life—the paparazzi lie and spin stories to fit their narrative.

I know better than to jump to conclusions.

“I really like her,” Kelly repeats with a smile.

“How long have you worked for Vaughn?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Several years now. He’d fall apart without me.”

“It’s true,” Vaughn agrees.

We spend the next hour just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. I learn that Vaughn and Jamal have been friends since they were kids and that he’s closer to this couple than he is with most of his family.

And it only makes me want to ask more. But I don’t. Not now, anyway.

“Baby’s awake,” Kelly says with a sigh. “Man, it was nice to have an adult conversation. It’s been a little while. I’ll go get her, and then we should probably go.”

She leaves the room, and Jamal watches her walk away. “She works damn hard between our little sugar pie and all of the other work. She needs to get out more. Have more fun. We have the part-time nanny, and she’s great, but my girl needs a real break.”

“My cousins and I have some fun get-togethers,” I reply. “I’ll invite Kelly to join us next time. It’s a lot of fun.”

“We’re ready to go, Daddy,” Kelly announces as she and Paisley return. The baby has a little crease in her cheek from the bedding and that I’m-not-awake-yet stare happening.

It’s completely adorable.

“We’ll see you later. It was nice to meet you, Olivia,” Jamal says and shakes my hand. Once they’ve buckled the baby in the car and driven off, Vaughn turns to me and links our fingers.

“I think it’s time we talked,” he says.

“Me, too.”

He doesn’t lead me to the living room but rather out the sliding glass doors to a beautiful terrace that overlooks the pool area.

I’m a sucker for a pool area.

The Seattle summer is still hanging on by the skin of its teeth—if summer had teeth—and it’s a lovely, warm day. I know the rainy season will settle in soon enough, so I’m happy to enjoy the nice weather.

Before Vaughn can even speak, I start in.