Hometown Hero by Susan Scott Shelley

Author:Susan Scott Shelley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: football romance, baking, bakery, charity, sports romance, bakery romance
Publisher: Susan Scott Shelley
Published: 2019-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

EVENT ROOM A WAS MUCH quieter than the massive room that housed the competition.

Xavier soaked in the lack of constant noise. After the events of the day, he didn't mind a little time to himself to recharge and gather his thoughts before launching into the interview.

Advancing to the next round made him happy, and Ashley ecstatic. She'd seemed too stressed during the actual competition. He'd have to help her loosen up during round two.

Beside him, she rested her hand on her hip and twisted, stretching her back muscles. "I can't wait to soak in a hot bath. I think every single muscle in my body was tightened today from the stress and pressure."

The offer to give her a hand was on the tip of his tongue, but he thought of their "deal" and then how the temptation for both of them was too great.

Thankfully, the show's host arrived with Liz and Gary. "Ashley and Xavier, we'll go live with this too. Just act natural."

Xavier rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. After years of on-camera interviews, talking directly to the camera was as easy as holding a conversation with the person behind it.

Gary got into position, and Liz gave the host the signal. He smiled a toothy grin worthy of a toothpaste commercial and began. "We're here with Xavier Brennan and Ashley Yates of Team Bliss Bakery. So, you two, congratulations on moving on to round two. But let's talk about round one for a minute. What was it like, baking live tonight?"

Ashley laughed. "In a word, stressful."

"Like I was in a no-huddle, hurry up offense all night long," Xavier added. "But Ashley's great and she kept us on task."

The host nodded. "Some teams looked a little unsteady today. How do you think you'll get along as teammates?"

Xavier opened his mouth, ready to spout off the typical athlete answer about playing as a team, but Ashley laid her hand on his forearm, stopping him.

"Xavier has already gone above and beyond as a teammate. We've spent a lot of time practicing for this competition. He's dedicated. In fact, he was on his way to New York to co-host Pro Football Daily, and stopped by the bakery to get some cupcakes for everyone who works on the show. My delivery van broke down right before he arrived. I had a huge cake that had to be delivered and no way to get there and time was running out. He insisted that we use his SUV, then rushed to catch his train. But he missed it by a minute and missed his chance to be on the show. All because he helped me."

Xavier rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. Embarrassment twisted with surprise and pleasure. "Gotta take care of your teammate, right?"

"Not everyone would do what you did." Then she shifted her gaze to the camera. "I really hope the football show producers give him another opportunity. He deserves it."

Touched, Xavier turned to her. She'd said that she'd try to make it up to him.

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