Read Lexington and 42nd (The Off Field Series #1) for Free Online

few blocks apart.”
    I wanted to find a reason to say no. I was uncomfortable being out in the open with him where any number of people could see us. What would it look like if it got back to Mark that I’d had lunch and a stroll through downtown Manhattan with Will? As it was, there were paparazzi snapping a few shots from across the street.
    Will seemed to sense my anxiety. “Relax, it’s no big deal. They’ve been taking photos since we arrived at the store. If you’re going to be managing all the team’s appearances, you’ll be photographed a lot. No one is going to think it’s any more than you doing your job.”
    He leaned into the car to speak to the driver while I contemplated my options. Aside from trying to outrun him—which would be stupid, him being an elite athlete and all—I couldn’t see that I had many choices, and I had to admit that what Will said made sense.
    We talked comfortably as we made our way back towards Chelsea, me telling him about my life in Sydney and him doing his best to fill the very large gaps in my knowledge of the NFL. He would occasionally point out a restaurant or cafe I should try out, and I told him about all the touristy things I’d done since I’d arrived.
    When we reached his place, he gestured to the front door. “This is me, top floor.” I guessed it was six stories high. I also guessed that unlike my apartment, it included a lift.
    I looked back to him and smiled, about to say goodbye when he opened his mouth.
    “So, do you want to come up?”

CHAPTER FIVE
    “He said WHAT?”
    “I know, I nearly died. Can you believe it!?”
    “After all that, he asked you up to his place?”
    “Yup!”
    “Wow, what did you say?”
    “I’m not even sure I said anything. I was in shock and before I knew it, he was rambling on about not meaning it that way or something. The whole thing was completely bizarre.”
    Julia was staring at me wide eyed. “I’m not sure if you’re an idiot or a saint. I mean, the man is spectacular.”
    I laughed. “I’m not going to lie, it’s not that the offer wasn’t tempting. I have to say though, it was nice to see the self-assured quarterback get a little ruffled. I think he even started to blush.”
    Julia almost choked on her wine. “You’re kidding! That’s hilarious—he’s probably never had a woman turn him down in his life.”
    After incoherently babbling about not meaning to invite me up, Will and I had one of the more awkward goodbyes in the history of the universe. I went for the hand shake while he tried to give me a hug resulting in my arm being crushed between our torsos, and then I somehow bumped my nose into his ear thinking the cheek kiss was appropriate. It was all thoroughly uncomfortable and I basically turned and ran as soon as he let go of me.
    I had spent the rest of the walk home replaying the strange afternoon and trying to figure out exactly how I felt about it. I had to admit, I liked him. He was hard not to like. Underneath all of his forward comments and flirtatious looks, he was genuinely a nice guy and clearly had his head screwed on the right way. It was just so confusing the way he kept flicking a switch between flirty and friendly all day—it had been exhausting.
    “So when will you see him next?”
    I looked back over to Julia. “I’m not sure actually. I think there’s some club dinner next weekend that my team will go to as well. Who knows what the next installment of Awkward Encounters with Emma and the Quarterback will bring!”
    Julia laughed. “I can’t wait to find out. Seriously though, what are you going to do if he keeps showing interest? It wouldn’t be that bad if you hooked up, would it?”
    I sighed. “I imagine it would be quite pleasant, but no, I’m not going there. It’s a total no-go zone on the work front. I need to be in control next time I see him. I can’t keep letting him rattle me like that.”
    I was slightly embarrassed about how much time I’d spent