“You’re talking about Finn.”
I nod. “Neither of us was looking for a relationship, but it happened anyway and now I’m scared he’ll hurt me, just like everyone else has.”
“I wish I could promise you that won’t happen, but I can’t. Life throws us curve balls, sweet pea, but if you’ve got the right fielder ready to catch what you have to give, then it’s worth getting up to bat.”
I suck in my bottom lip. It’s the first time my dad has spouted advice with a baseball metaphor and I wonder if he was saving it until the right person came along. “Like maybe a certain center fielder?”
He arches his brows.You said it, not me.
“I don’t need to make a decision about anything yet. We’re still working together for another month and after that…”
“He’d be an idiot to let you go.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime.” He kisses my forehead. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” As soon as he closes my bedroom door, I open the box from Finn. Inside is another box, this one an upscale white, and nestled inside on top of silver tissue paper are six large sugar cookies, three Xs and three Os. They’re decorated with either red or white icing. A notecard is included on top telling me each month I will receive a Box of Sweetness containing a half dozen handmade cookies.
Finn bought me a cookie subscription box! I grin from ear to ear.Nice timing, Mr. Auprince.
I lift a cookie up and find there’s a small envelope tucked into the side of the box. I open it and find a note from Finn.Chloe, Roses are red, violets are blue. Cookies are sweet, but not the things I want to do to you. Finn
I crack up. That is the most ridiculous poem ever, and I love it. If you looked up Finn Auprince in the dictionary it would read: sexy, athletic, smart, kind, hardworking, caring, determined, confident. He’s the kind of guy every girl has dreams of being with. And he’s never given me a reason to doubt him.
The cookie is delicious. I eat a second one and then grab my phone to call him. All of a sudden, I’m dying to see if he’s up for company tonight. Two can play the not-so-sweet game. My shoulders sag when he doesn’t answer. It’s eight o’clock on a Friday night. He’s probably out to dinner or something, so I hang up.
Maybe I’ll drive over to his house. Surprise him when he gets home by being naked in his bed or naked in front of the fireplace.
I like that plan. I know where he hides his spare key and I’ve missed him a ton this past week. I slide off the bed to change clothes, twisting around to grab my iPhone when it pings with an alert. I’ve got it set to notify me when Finn or any of his teammates are mentioned. I do this with all my clients, removing the alert when my contract is complete.
I’ve never once had my heart sink at a notification before, though. I blink several times to be sure I’m not seeing things.
Nope. The photo of Finn with some gorgeous woman on his arm is right there in living color. She’s smiling—actually it’s more like a sexy simper, as if she knows she can have any man she wants—at Finn and he’s returning the admiration. Another notification sounds, and another. My phone lights up with news of Finn at The Surfeit Hotel.
I wasn’t aware of any event at his brother Drew’s hotel, not that I’m privy to everything on Finn’s social calendar. He’s free to do whatever he wants. And it’s not like he knew I’d be back home tonight. But the cocktail attire and the sparkly lights in the background rub me the wrong way. It looks very date-like and my fragile heart suffers another punch.
I’m cursed.
And shattered.
Again.
Deep breath, Chloe.It might not be anything. Finn isn’t the kind of guy to lie or cheat. He said we were exclusive. He wouldn’t go back on his word without being up front with me if his feelings had changed. The problem is, while my head can rationalize he’s with famous and beautiful people all the time, and this woman may be just an acquaintance, my heart is freaking the fuck out.
This is Finn’s life. He’s mega-wealthy, highly regarded, worshipped by baseball fans and non-fans across the country. What if? What if he does meet someone else he likes better than me? He’s made me no promises. In a couple of months, he’ll be on the road more than he’s home. Sleeping in hotel rooms. Fending off female fans. I’ve seen them—women who stake out the lobbies and bars of team accommodations, hoping to hook up with a player.
When it comes to Finn, my heart leads my head. It makes me sick to my stomach that right now jealousy overrules trust, but given my history, who could blame me? I’ve been jilted over and over again. I can’t bear for it to happen one more time. The only safe place for my heart is with me. I’ve got dreams and goals and those are what I need to focus on. I can’t go wrong if I commit to myself.
I crawl back into bed and reach for my laptop to send an email to Rena. I need some time to lock down my feelings before I see Finn. It’s still the holidays so I’m hoping I can push things to after the new year. By then I should be able to explain to him that I’d like to continue our working relationship, but nothing more.
Opening my email, I find a new message from my boss—make that two messages—flagged as important. I open the first one. She’s got a one-week job she wants me on with Hayden Clemons.Huh.Hayden is another pro baseball player and pretty damn close to Finn’s equivalent on the field. He’s a year younger than Finn, I think, and plays for the Landsharks’ biggest rival—and the team that won the World Series. It’s a little odd that she wants me for this last minute, but I’m not going to argue. The gig requires I leave for Sacramento, Hayden’s hometown, on Sunday. I won’t need to make up some excuse to Rena now, as my boss has already let her know this is a project for Major League Baseball.
I reread that last part. Hayden is chairing this special MLB event, a three-day toy swap where kids can trade or donate sports equipment they received for the holidays. Anyone who brings a gift will get their picture taken with Hayden. Working with Finn is huge, but working with Major League Baseball is a BFD. It’s a dream of mine I thought would take years to make a reality. Excitement charges past all the other emotions I’m feeling. This could be a big step in my career. A game changer.
The second email includes my flight and hotel info. I kick my feet, making the sheets rustle. This is really happening.
This is another new beginning—just when I needed it most.