Game For Love: Love Games (Kindle Worlds) Read Online Free PDF

imagine how good it could be if it became anything more.”
    Cole studied him for a second, then slowly nodded. “Good enough.” He stepped out of Declan’s way, waving him forward. “This should be interesting.”
    The restaurant was dark, with the only discernible lighting coming from the large candles on each table. The tables were of various sizes, but all round. White linen tablecloths were accented with blood-red napkins. It was a warm, jovial atmosphere. It was a family-oriented steakhouse, typically filled with older couples and young families. Declan had discovered it his first year in Boston and came at least once a week, making friends with Gino, the owner.  
    Many of the diners seemed to recognize Declan as they stood at the hostess stand, handing their coats to Cole to hang up. There was much murmuring, and then, as if on cue, the entire place erupted into a round of applause. Most of the men stood up. Declan took the outcry of emotion in stride. He hung his head, and then raised it with a wide smile. He gave a little wave of appreciation to them all. After all these years he was still humbled and honored by the devotion he felt from people.
      “ Paisan! ” Gino greeted Declan. “I’m so honored you’d come here tonight of all nights! It was a shame your final game was a loss, but what can you do when the other team scores fifty-four points?”
    “Score fifty-five?” Declan said with a smile on his face.
    It was true that the Pumas’ defense was horrible this season, but Declan had always been a fierce competitor. He had learned to outwardly take defeat graciously, but inside his stomach would churn for days after a loss. He’d watch hours upon hours of tape, trying to see if there was one thing he could have done differently to change the outcome of the game. Then he’d start watching more tape of the upcoming team.  
    No more. There was now an end to all the time spent in dark screening rooms with a remote in his left hand and his right hand furiously scribbling notes. Sometimes it was a tossup as to which had more of an adverse effect on his throwing hand: hurtling a hundred passes during practice, or writer’s cramp from his nightly dissections.
    “Let me get you our best table.” Gino was shaking hands with Declan, but before he could turn away on his quest for the perfect table, Declan pulled him close to whisper something in his ear.
    Gino quickly looked at Marlee, then glanced at Declan, smiled, and nodded. “Right this way. I know just the spot.”
    Marlee gave Declan a look that indicated she wondered what he was up to. Declan just smiled in response. As Marlee passed Declan to follow Gino, he quickly stepped in stride with her and clasped her hand. She didn’t even seem surprised, and only slightly tried to pull away. Progress, Declan thought, as he held on tight.
    Gino led them to the back of the restaurant to a dimly lit, round-tabled booth with high backs. There were few diners at the surrounding tables, the corner being very private. Gino gracefully pulled the table out to allow Anna and Marlee to slide around to the back. Marlee had to disengage her hand from Declan, and he felt an ache as she did.  
    After sliding the table back in, Gino turned to Declan before he could slide in next to Marlee. “ Paisan , could I impose on you to come back and say hello to Serge?” he asked with a smile.
    “Serge is cooking tonight? Absolutely. No imposition whatsoever.” He turned to the women, but his eyes were on Marlee. “Ladies, will you excuse me for a minute?” They both nodded, and Declan was happy to see a look that resembled regret in Marlee’s eyes. “It’ll only take a second, but Serge and I go way back. Plus, if I say hello, I can guarantee you the most heavenly dinner you’ve ever had.”
    Both Anna and Marlee smiled, Anna making a dismissive shooing motion with her hands. “By all means, then. Tell him to go heavy on the cheese on my order,” Anna said. Marlee