This is the man who calmed Jose when he was so sick. And this guy hurt himself practicing with the boys’ team. Jose would want her to help. She struggled, wanting to stay clear of drama and maintain her pride but also wanting her son to know she did the right thing.

He’s asking me to be friendly and get my picture taken. It’ll be over in two minutes.

She straightened her ponytail, making a decision. “Dr. Collins, it’s time for me to clock out anyway. Duke, if you want to walk me outside, I suppose it won’t kill me.”

She ignored Aaron and the doctor as they exchanged a nod. Duke limped out after her.

Duke held her up.

He had to. Angel’s slight frame went rubbery as the crush of people swarmed them, swinging microphones around, shotgunning the air with their questions. Thousands of lightning bolts burst from cameras, aimed at their faces. Her fine, fine face. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, facing the press, wearing her green scrubs and old Adidas, her hair messy and adorable, a proud, hardworking mamita … She had no idea how beautiful she was. Or what was in store for her. Reporters were going to want her story, pointing cameras in her windows and trying to get on elevators with her.

She’s not like the other women I know. I shouldn’t do this to her.

Angel turned her face up to his, fear boiling deep in her golden eyes. He kept his arm around her waist, letting her know she wasn’t alone. He was proud of her when she bit her lip but then curved her mouth into a smile and faced the crowd.

“Duke! Duke! Who is this? Are you hurt? Why are you at a clinic? How come you’re not at training camp?”

“Yo, you guys, chill out. I report next week, as planned. I’m just here to pick up this sweet thing.” He grinned at the nurse fidgeting at his side.

“Is she your girlfriend? What about Regina? What’s she think?”

Who gives a fuck what she thinks? “Regina is very old news.”

“Honey, what’s your name? Are you Duke’s girl?”

Panic flashed across Angel’s face. Her body swayed. He tucked her into his side, where she fit perfectly. “This is Angel. I hope you folks are gonna be nice; she’s a great girl.”

She tilted her face up to him, her expression innocent and irresistible. There was nothing cagey or calculating about the woman.

Without thinking, his hand spread across the small of Angel’s back. Then he bent over and pressed his lips to hers, softly at first, respectful, partly for show, though partly for himself—he’d been wanting a second act to the kiss from yesterday.