Tyler Cavanaugh’s face lit up as he embraced his daughter. “Hey, sweetheart. Shouldn’t you be home?”
Given the swollen belly, she had to be Coco, the pregnant daughter. Xander reached for a cocktail napkin to wipe his hand.
“Yeah, we’re leaving.” She handed him a black box tied up in silver ribbon. “I did the chocolates for the party, but I made these specially for you.”
“Have I ever told you you’re my favorite daughter?” Tyler tugged the bow and pried off the lid, revealing four artisan chocolates. Examining them as if he only had one shot to find the one with the golden ticket, he finally made a choice and popped it into his mouth. “Damn.” He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. “This is unbelievable. What is it?”
“Remember the Venezuelan beans I bought? So, this one’s forty-one percent cacao with a mix of caramel and nuts.” She turned to the other men. “Hey, Cassian. What’d you think of Gigi’s show?”
The quarterback stood there with a goofy expression of adoration. “I think she’s a superstar, and I’m proud of her.”
His heart…fuck, that pinch. He felt it every time he was around his brothers or friends, anyone in a happy marriage. He’d never seen himself as a guy who’d get divorced. He’d wanted to be married, be done with the whole dating scene, but he hadn’t managed to figure out the balance between work and home life.
But that hadn’t been the problem, had it? He doubted he’d ever lit up when talking about his ex. He’d never loved her the way Cassian loved Gigi.
He just wasn’t built that way. Didn’t feel big emotions.
Never had.
Tyler’s beautiful, elegant daughter smiled at him. “Hi, I’m Coco.” She patted Cassian’s back. “His future sister-in-law.”
He held out his hand. “Alexander Wilder, his future replacement.”
Her smile faltered, but Cassian laughed. “In his dreams. He’s my backup.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you.” She rubbed her belly. “Are you coaching at his camp this summer?”
“I’m not on the roster, but I’ll help out when I can. I’m starting training at the Antigravity Center, so I’ll be in town till July.”
“That’s a good, long stay. I’m sure I’ll see you around. Okay, I’m going.” Coco kissed her dad on the cheek and hugged Cassian. “It was nice to meet you, Alexander. Come by the shop, and I’ll put together a box just for you.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” As she wandered through the crowd, he kept his eye on her, thinking she might say goodbye to her younger sister. Instead, she fell into the arms of a big, fit guy who—given the tender look he gave her—had to be her husband.
“Want one?” Tyler held the box of chocolates close to his chest.
“Sure, thanks.” Xander reached out, but Cassian chuckled and said, “He’s being polite. Don’t mess with the chocolates made specially for him.”
“Yeah?” Xander flicked his fingers over the box. “They sure look good.”
“They are.” Tyler cracked a grin. “They’re real good.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Xander patted his stomach. “I start training in a few days. Gotta stay one step ahead of my captain.” He tracked Coco and her husband, as they made their way out of the restaurant, stopping to say goodbye to people they knew. But he didn’t see Lulu.
“Who’re you looking for?” Tyler asked.
The jolt of being caught made him feel ridiculous. “No one.” He’d spent all of twenty minutes with a woman three nights ago—and suddenly he was obsessed with her?
He was known for his cool composure—on and off the field—and his ability to shut everything out and focus with pinpoint precision. So, he’d just marshal that shit right now. But gazing into his bubbly drink, it was still there, that urgent need to turn around and look for her. Every second that ticked meant he might lose his chance to see her.
“Okay, Tyler, I brought you all kinds of wonderful goodies.” A chef, arms loaded with plates, appeared behind the bar.
They all reached out to relieve her of the dishes.
She smiled at them. “Since you’re friends, I’m sure you already know Tyler’s a total foodie.”
“Never seen anything like it,” Cassian said. “He’s lost to all conversation the minute it’s feeding time.”
“Man’s gotta eat.” Tyler examined everything. “This looks great.” He pointed to a colorful tower of diced yellow beets with layers of herbed goat cheese and smoked salmon and topped with a dollop of crème fraiche and roe.
A server approached with a stack of small white plates and silverware. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Just as Tyler reached in to scoop up the appetizer, he stopped, aware of everyone watching him. He grinned like a kid caught sneaking a cookie. “Sorry. Delilah, you know Cassian, of course, but this is Alexander Wilder. He’s a Maverick, too.”
“Wonderful to meet you, X-Man.” The gorgeous blonde flashed a teasing smile.
She knows my nickname? As a backup, he was pretty much only recognizable in the football world.
“Cassian grew up here. Everyone watches his games.” She shook Xander’s hand. “He also brings the guys in a lot over the summer. How come I’ve never met you?”
He didn’t think because we couldn’t stand each other until recently would go over well, so he just said, “I didn’t go out much.”
Cassian ran a football camp to offer talented, athletic kids the chance to learn a sport that otherwise might not be available to them. For the sake of the kids and the NFL players that volunteered, he kept it on the downlow.
Xander gestured to the dishes. “Are we sharing the amuse-bouches, or are they just for the big man over here?” He clapped Tyler on the back.
Delilah’s gaze sharpened on him but quickly shifted to watch the Hall of Famer shove his spoon under the beet tower and transfer it to a plate.
Tyler took a bite. “Outstanding.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at Xander.
“Delilah’s the executive chef here.” Tyler passed one of the appetizers to Xander. “Try it.”
Grabbing a fork, Xander cut into it. “Nice.” He closed his eyes to experience the flavors. “Is that sage?”
“It sure is.” Delilah grinned. “Sounds like someone knows his food.”
“My mom owns a restaurant.” And, while his brothers were either playing football or watching it, Xander could almost always be found in the kitchen.
“Really?” Delilah asked. “Which one?”
“Café Akasha.” He took another bite.
The person sitting next to them swiveled around in her seat to get a look at him.
Delilah pounded the bar with a fist. “No way. You’re lying to me.” Her eyes glittered.
Tyler and Cassian looked confused.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” The chef reeled back.
“I’m not. It’s true.”
“That’s one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I’m serious. Ask anybody. I’m in love with that place. It’s absolutely magical.”