Andrea blinked a couple of times before speaking. “Troy, I’m so happy for you.”
He wanted more than that. “I’m not saying Susan and I are friends now. But I’ve forgiven her for lying to me, and I don’t resent her for the choices I made anymore.”
Andrea nodded. Her eyes shimmered with happy tears. “That’s what I’d wanted for you.”
Troy pulled his hands from his pockets and let his arms fall to his sides. “While I was talking with Susan, I realized my life may not have turned out the way I’d planned, but I’m happy. I’m where I’m supposed to be. But I don’t want to be here without you.”
Troy’s words were so similar to the thought that had echoed in her mind when she’d accepted The New York Times’s job offer Friday night. They sent a sweet ache through Andrea’s body. She closed her eyes against the draw of his ebony gaze.
A soft breeze feathered her cheek. Andrea opened her eyes as Troy lowered his hand from her face. She stepped back, startled to find him so close. He’d moved so quietly.
He caught her hand to keep her near. “You asked me to change, Andy. I didn’t think I could, but I wanted to try. And you were right. I needed to clear the past with Susan. Now I want a future with you. Give me another chance. I love you so much.”
She’d played this game before. She didn’t want to lose again. “Suppose I wanted to write that article about the Monarchs’ founding partners.” She didn’t, but she had to test him again.
Troy stayed silent for so long. Every second chipped away at her hope. His dark gaze hovered inches above her face. “I can’t think of a reporter who’d do a better job with that story.”
Andrea narrowed her eyes on his too-handsome face. She needed a harder question, a bigger lie. “I want to interview Rick Evans about the strain his NBA career has had on his marriage.”
Surprise shifted in Troy’s eyes. “I can’t force Rick to talk with you, but I promise not to get in your way.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “Really?” Could she believe him?
“Andy, your questions are sensitive and your stories are fair. You proved that when you interviewed Jackie about Gerry’s meddling and Barron about his drinking. It’s Rick and Mary’s decision if they want to talk with you.”
Andrea crossed her arms. “Suppose I told you those stories would appear in the Times, which has a much larger circulation than Sports?”
A broad grin brightened Troy’s classic good looks. “You’re working for the Times now?”
Andrea laughed. “Yes.” She enjoyed sharing the good news with him. “So what would you say if I wrote those articles for the Times?”
Troy swept her into his arms and held her tight. “I’d say they were lucky to have you.”
Andrea blinked her surprise. She pulled back to look at him. “You really have changed.”
His lips hovered inches above her own. “I was highly motivated and had a game plan to win you back.”
Andrea smiled. “I do love a man with a plan.”
She rose onto her toes and sealed his lips with a kiss.
If you enjoyed Smooth Play,
don’t miss Regina Hart’s
Fast Break
Available wherever books are sold.
Prologue
“Clock’s ticking, Guinn.”
DeMarcus Guinn, shooting guard for the National Basketball Association’s Miami Waves, looked at his head coach, then at the game clock. Thirteen seconds remained in game seven of the NBA finals. The Waves and Sacramento Kings were tied at 101. His coach had just called a time-out. DeMarcus stood on
the sidelines surrounded by his teammates. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and drained his sports drink. It didn’t help.
He looked into the stands and found his father standing in the bleachers. He saw the empty seat beside him. His mother’s seat. DeMarcus rubbed his chest above his heart.