Hard & Deep: A Football Romance

Jenna turned and hugged Tracy. "So great to meet you!"

A hug wasn't exactly what Tracy was expecting, but she managed to return the embrace without being awkward. She put on a happy smile, but her fantastic evening alone with Mr. Hayes seemed like it might be over. She told herself she wasn't jealous, but this was the exact type of scenario she’d been trying to avoid. A younger, beautiful girl who just happens to be the daughter of one of his oldest friends was exactly the type of girl who could steal Mr. Hayes right out from under her.

"Take a shot with us, Jenna," Mr. Hayes said, as he pulled a third shot glass from the arrangement on the table.

"Sounds fantastic!" Jenna replied, settling in to a chair. Tracy made note of the way she set down her purse on the last empty chair. Jenna intended to stay there the rest of the evening, Tracy thought. Mr. Hayes poured three shots and put one down in front of Tracy. He handed the other one to Jenna.

"Thanks, Mr. Hayes!" she said, the girlish charm oozing through. “I can't believe I managed to run into you. It must just be my lucky day!”

"Please, call me Paul," he said.

Jenna smiled. "Paul," she said, as if confirming it. "What should we cheers to, Paul?"

He had made the offer to call him "Paul" many times to Tracy, and she’d never taken him up on it, but now she really could feel the jealousy rising within her. It surprised her, but she at least admitted it to herself.

"I don't know. Tracy, do you have any ideas?" Mr. Hayes asked.

Tracy shrugged not really feeling like toasting to anything involving Jenna. She was still trying to figure out a way to get Jenna to leave so she could continue her wonderful evening.

Jenna spoke up. "To seeing old friends."

Mr. Hayes smiled and locked eyes with Jenna. Tracy hated the way it made the pit of her stomach drop.

"To old friends," he said, and clinked shot glasses with Jenna. For a moment, Tracy thought they might forget all about her, but Jenna made a point of clinking with her, before Mr. Hayes remembered too.

Tracy wanted to hate Jenna. She wanted to find a way to make the younger woman leave, but before she could come up with a plan that wouldn't anger Mr. Hayes or be considered rude, Tracy's opinion of the younger woman changed.

The very first thing Jenna did was start up a conversation with Tracy. Jenna asked her question after question about her restaurant and life. She seemed far more interested in finding out everything she could about Tracy than reconnecting with Mr. Hayes. In fact, she almost seemed to be ignoring him and concentrating solely on Tracy.

The cynical side of Tracy thought it was because Jenna could already sense that she had Mr. Hayes wrapped around her little finger. Or maybe it was that she knew that she had to act aloof to get his attention. Either way, Tracy knew that she should feel threatened. After a few more drinks and pleasant conversation, however, she felt herself intoxicated by Jenna.

"I love your dress," Jenna giggled, pouring them each another drink. She made sure that Tracy and her hands touched as she handed Tracy the glass with a smile.

Tracy frowned slightly as she picked up the glass. She wasn't sure how many drinks she'd had at this point, but she was certainly feeling much more comfortable with Jenna around. In fact, she was even beginning to enjoy herself.

"You've got a hair on your cheek," Jenna said, setting her glass down and reaching out to touch Tracy. Her hand was soft as she caressed Tracy's cheek. It was far more than just a friendly beauty fix. Heat flashed through her touch and Jenna's pupils dilated as she looked at Tracy.

"Thanks," Tracy whispered, surprised at the erotic thoughts suddenly filling her brain. She didn't know if it was her bubbly demeanor, the rapt attention with which Jenna listened to her, or the alcohol. All she knew is that her resistance to Jenna hanging out with them was slowly fading away.

Mr. Hayes, apparently tired of being the third wheel on this date, insisted on going and dancing with Jenna. He asked Tracy if it was okay, to which she smiled and said it was. It wasn't like she could say no without looking like the jealous girlfriend.

Tracy watched from the balcony as Mr. Hayes danced at least as dirty with Jenna as he had with Tracy. She couldn't help but notice the smile plastered across Mr. Hayes' face. He was having a great time, but he did occasionally look up in her direction, which made her feel better. At least he was thinking about her.

She watched as they

stayed out there for two, three, four songs. During the fifth song she finally got tired of watching them and headed down to the dance floor herself. She caught up with the two of them on the dance floor and tapped on Mr. Hayes' shoulder. He looked back and smiled, then immediately broke from Jenna and turned to Tracy.

Jenna said something to Mr. Hayes which Tracy couldn't hear over the music, then disappeared into the crowd. Tracy noticed that Mr. Hayes was covered in sweat from dancing on the hot dance floor. He looked exhausted, and his dancing didn't have quite the energy that it had an hour ago.

"Hey, do you want to have another shot?" he asked in her ear as they danced close.

"Why do you ask? Is Jenna up there waiting for us?" she asked, teasingly.

He paused, making eye contact with her. "I'm sorry if you feel like she's intruding on our date. I can send her away for the rest of the evening if you'd like."

Tracy smiled, knowing that he meant it. He wouldn't make the offer lightly. "Don't worry about it, I'm having a great time!"

Mr. Hayes pulled her in close. She could smell the deliciously masculine scent of his cologne. "Just how great a time are you having?"