No One But You by Jillian Hart Read Free Book Online

cups on the counter, steam curling in the air. “I normally spend my Saturday evenings finishing up my workweek. Kind of pathetic, now that I say it out loud.”
    “You’re a single man. Why aren’t you out on the prowl?”
    “The prowl?” Yeah, Wyatt saw that hint of a smile. She was teasing him. He picked up his cup. “You know I’m not the type.”
    “Hey, a lot of things have changed. Maybe that’s one of them.”
    “I’m a sad excuse for a single man. I haven’t dated since college. I’m out of practice and I’m worried I’ll get shot down.”
    “That’s a terrible excuse. I’m sure the right woman for you is out there somewhere.”
    “Why does that sound like you think there’s only one? Am I that bad of a guy?” He liked that pink crept across her face. “It’s okay, you don’t have to answer that.”
    “No, I’m just trying to be diplomatic. You’re a donor, Wyatt. I make it a policy not to upset the donors.”
    “Good plan.” Chuckling, he wandered toward the nearest set of open double doors, catching a glimpse of the court. “What about you?”
    “Me?”
    “Are you seeing anybody? Do you have a fiancé I should meet?”
    “Hardly likely.” She led the way through the doors and slipped into the nearly empty bleachers, settling onto a bench. “When would I date, assuming I’d want to? I’m raising a teenager. You have no idea how much time that takes.”
    “Oh, I might.” Pain drilled through Wyatt’s sternum as he eased beside her. Some losses just never left you. “So that’s a no on dating?”
    “One marriage and one divorce was enough for me. I’m not looking for another.”
    “I hear ya on that.” He nodded, that muscle jumping in his jaw, and fixed his attention on the players. Practice was apparently over and the pickup game on the court looked fun. The kids’ shouts and thundering gaits echoed in the rafters. “Hey, doesn’t this make you nostalgic?”
    “Me? Nostalgic? No, I’m not the type.” The glint in her eyes said differently.
    “Are you telling me that sitting with me here on the bleachers watching a ball game doesn’t take you back?”
    “Not one bit.”
    “Sure, you remember. I can tell.” He laced his fingers together, recalling the boy he’d been, so in love with her. First loves were something special. “I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. In the gym.”
    “What I remember is you having to sit out a couple weeks because of a pulled tendon. Didn’t you hurt your knee clowning around that day?”
    “I tripped over my own feet and hit the floor. I looked like an idiot, but the upside was I got to sit out a few games. Not a bad thing, since I sweet-talked the prettiest girl in school into going out with me.”
    “Don’t even start.” She gave him a twitch of a smile. “Didn’t I warn you about flattery?”
    “It doesn’t change the truth. You were the prettiest girl anywhere.”
    “I’m not that girl. Not anymore.” She rolled her eyes as if she didn’t know what to do with him, then scanned the length of the gym. A look transformed her. A mother’s love. “Jake,” she called, “there you are. Are you ready to go?”
    The teenager tromped over, surrounded by his posse of friends. Before he could answer, someone called, “Duncan!” Jake dropped his duffel, leaped into the air and caught a ball flying his way. A dribble, a leap and swoosh—slam dunk.
    I remember being that kid, Wyatt thought, the one with all the friends, and skills on the court. A kid to whom laughter came as easy as breathing. Where had he gone?
    “Hey, it’s Mr. Royce.” Jake’s grin was greeting enough. “What are you doin’ here?”
    “Annoying your mom.”
    “It’s nice to have help with that for a change.” Jake loped out of bounds, snagged the ball and hooked it. It sailed through the air.
    Automatically, Wyatt caught it. He was on the court and halfway to the basket before he realized it. His shoes squeaked on the floor. One