Nor Gavin. Negative media coverage could be as devastating as the injury itself. Jessica began to relax, sensing that Nikki was on her side. “How can I help?”

“Is there someplace we can chat?” Nikki asked, but then stopped suddenly and followed her nose to the coffeepot. “Oh my God, what is that amazing smell?”

Jessica gestured toward the mugs. “Help yourself.”

“I absolutely will.” She glanced at Pete, who seemed puzzled over the fuss. “Have you tasted that sludge they drink?” She shuddered. “This,” she said after a sip, “is to die for.”

“Jamaican Blue Mountain today. Let me grab my jacket and we can head out.”

Pete walked with them part of the way, explaining the plan. “We don’t want to disclose a lot of details about Gavin’s progress. In fact…” He looked at both women, concern in his eyes. “We are all friends here. And we want what’s best for him. We know it’s not certain that he will make a full recovery. But I don’t think it’s good for him or the team to let the papers speculate that way.”

“I agree.” Nikki looked at Jessica over the coffee mug, which she didn’t seem to want to pry from her lips. “I did a lot of work for this team last year to help polish up their image. Pete’s doing a great job keeping the fundamentals going, but with Gavin on board it’s a whole new ball game. What I’d like to understand from your perspective is how he’s really doing, what we can expect, so that I can craft the right messages.”

“Fair enough. And I appreciate you coming to me directly on this. Gavin is a great guy and working hard to recover. I want to keep the momentum going.”

“I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Pete said, breaking stride and heading toward the locker room. Jessica looked at Nikki as a sudden thought occurred to her.

“Weren’t you the rep that had to handle the press for the game when the Sonics showed up in bright blue wigs?”

Nikki chuckled. “Yup. Lucky me. They pranked me the entire season. But I have to admit, it was a blast. And full disclosure: I met my dream man.”

“Jake,” Jessica guessed as Nikki nodded, blushing. “Had to be him or Chase.”

The one in a million, Jessica thought, seeing the other woman’s beaming smile.

But knowing Jake, she could believe it.

—

When Jessica headed back to the therapy room, she felt a little more at ease. Discussing Gavin with Nikki had taken her mind off of Zach, which was a welcome relief. And she found she really liked the PR rep and admired her approach when she laid out her plans for the Sonics. She was interesting and creative, but at the same time practical and aware of the tightrope she walked.

And she felt her compassion for Gavin as a man and not just a media event. So she was more than agreeable to meet several times a week and review Nikki’s work to make sure anything she released to the media was accurate and sensitive.

But as she walked back into the therapy room, she froze. Zach was sitting at the edge of her desk, talking to Phil. He looked exactly as she remembered: handsome, with burnished chestnut hair and a grin that seemed to light up the room. He appeared relaxed and casual, as if this were an everyday chance encounter, just a couple of old friends renewing their acquaintance.

And not the man who had devastated her.

His eyes shifted to hers and the smile broadened. The wound inside of her that had just started to heal ripped open, and a thousand memories flooded back to haunt her. He tilted his head at something Phil said and laughed, and she remembered that laugh, as well as the quirky lift of the corner of his mouth. When he saw her, he grinned and attempted to put his hand on her shoulder, but she stiffened immediately and stepped back.

“Good to see you, Jess. It’s been a while.”

“Zach.” Her voice was flat. “What’s up?”

“Wanted to stop by, say hello.” He sounded reasonable, charming. She wasn’t fooled. He gave her his most dazzling smile. “Thought we could grab a cup of coffee later, catch up.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. If you don’t mind, I’m really busy…”

She saw Gavin watching them closely, paying attention to the discourse between her and the athlete. His eyes narrowed, and she realized he had figured out that this was the man who had broken her heart.

“Come on, Jess,” Zach persisted. “We haven’t seen each other in months. I promise to be on my best behavior. I just want to talk to you.”

He lifted his hand in a Boy Scout’s pledge and made it sound like she was the one being unreasonable, a tactic she’d seen him work before. But she wasn’t an innocent little girl anymore, fresh out of college and believing in love. Especially his.

When she saw Gavin rising as if to intervene, she made a decision. “Okay, I’ll meet you later, after work. But I only have a few minutes—I have a lot to do tonight.”

“Thanks. See you then.” He walked out of the room with that same cocky assurance that she once thought attractive. Now it just seemed another hallmark of what he was: an egotistical jerk.

“You okay?”

She looked up into Gavin’s eyes and felt like she was drowning. The warmth she saw there, the caring concern, was like a balm to her frazzled nerves. She wanted to pull him into her arms, feel the comfort of his embrace, followed up by that kiss guaranteed to make her forget everything.

Especially Zach.

Of course she did no such thing. Instead she managed a crooked smile, and taking a breath, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Do you want me to go with you when you meet him?”

Her eyes met his in surprise. Most of the men she knew hated emotional confrontations, and they certainly didn’t go out of their way to sign up for one. He was being protective, but she sensed it was more than just a big brother looking out for her. She couldn’t put her finger on it but the difference was there, subtle and confusing.

Yet she was deeply touched.

“No, I can handle him.” She gave Gavin a brave smile. “It’s probably better we get this out of the way at the beginning of the series rather than drag it out.”

“Think he wants you back?”

She shook her head. “I know he is seeing someone. I don’t know what he wants except he likes to think of himself as the good guy. It’s probably annoying him that I don’t see him that way, don’t want to be his gal pal when he’s in town.”

“I don’t know.” Gavin looked at the door that Zach had just walked through. “I can’t imagine him having a girl like you and letting her walk away.”

Before Jessica could internalize that, he glanced back at her and his eyes held hers. “But the offer still stands. I’ll be around after the game. If you need help, just call me or text me.”

It seemed the weight she was carrying was lighter and she felt ridiculously emotional, like she might cry. What the hell? She shook her head, shaking off the mood with it, and gave him a shove.

“You got it. And Gavin?” She gave him a warm smile. “Thanks.”

Chapter 13

Gavin watched the game, his eyes on Zach Holden. From what he knew of the outfielder, he wasn’t a bad guy. But he was definitely young, immature, and full of himself. Like a lot of pro athletes, he’d experienced success too quickly, before he had grown up enough to handle it.

He’d heard the guy had a string of girlfriends, one in every ballpark he visited. He didn’t know if the latest one, an actress named Katarina, was aware of the others, but his guess was she probably didn’t care. She had her own life, and in some circles her ballplayer boyfriend was probably considered a step down.

But the fact that Zach had hurt Jessica bothered Gavin. He saw Zach make an outstanding catch against the wall, robbing Brian of at least a double. So he was fast, talented, and a bit of a jerk where women were concerned.