She’s not a woman. She’s an official.
At least, that’s what Lucca tells himself every time Maggie hands him another yellow card.
Lucca Cruz—Brazilian, Red Tail soccer star, chronic flirt, and all-around menace to referees—has never gotten along with Maggie, the one official immune to his charm and allergic to his attitude.
Until the day he’s forced to mentor her little league soccer team. He quickly realizes he doesn’t dislike Maggie at all. He just doesn’t know her.
And now that he’s starting to–he’s falling fast.
Maggie McCrae, on the other hand, feels absolutely nothing admirable for Lucca. He’s cocky, dramatic, impossible, and easily her least favorite soccer player in the league.
So when Lucca suddenly starts being… nice, she’s suspicious. When she finds herself enjoying his attention? She’s alarmed.
Because this can’t happen.
Maggie is a referee. Lucca is a player. It’s unethical, forbidden, and a career-ending mistake. She already gave up her dream once—walking away from the U.S. Women’s National Team. She won’t do it again.
But Lucca is persistent. And surprisingly sweet. He’s great with her nephew, sentimental over his grandmother, and swears he only wants to be friends.
Which would be fine… if only Maggie believed him.
