Page 5 of Love at a 7-Eleven

"You're saying two different things, though. Did you make a bad first impression, or did you look intensely at each other?"

"Both," I said. "That's exactly the problem."

Chapter 2

It was good that I hadn't gotten myself the energy drink. I was more shaken than usual. I had been to the Bears training facility plenty of times, so I told myself that I would be fine and it would be easy. And, really, it was just my nerves. Technically, things were going as planned. I had a temporary parking permit, and I easily made my way past security and into the back offices. I hadn't seen Bonnie in a year or so, but she must've known I was coming because she didn't look surprised to see me. She smiled and waved when I came into her reception area.

"Well, hello Miss Lila, how are you this afternoon?"

"I'm doing well, thanks. How are you?"

"Good. I texted your mama to say hello a minute ago when Bobby told me he was expecting you. She said you might need some headache medicine. Did you get some?"

"Yes, I mean, no, I didn’t. But I'm okay. I might get some when I leave here."

"Because we have all sorts of stuff in the PT room. I have some here too. Tylenol and Excedrin."

"I might take you up on that when I'm done talking to Mr. Bobby, but I'm good for now. Thanks."

"Okay, well, he's ready for you. Just go on back."

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

I walked around Bonnie's desk to the long hallway that led to the offices and meeting rooms. It wasn't intimidating when I was there on someone else's coattails, but this was different. I was more and more nervous by the second.

Bob Simmons, Player Relations.

The name and title were written on a small plaque next to his door. The door was partially open, and I tapped on it with the back of my knuckles.

"Come on in. It's Lila Decker, the best Decker daughter!" I was the only Decker daughter, so it was a joke I had only heard five thousand times. I was happy to hear such familiar words, and it made me breathe easier when he said it.

Bob was smiling and happy to see me, and he stood up from his desk and came around it for a hug. He was wearing khakis and a navy polo shirt with the official logo of the Chicago Bears embroidered on the chest. I had been around players and coaches my whole life, and that made this moment less intimidating. I told myself to breathe easy. I had set myself up for success with this meeting. I took a deep breath as we assumed our positions on either side of his desk.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Bobby."

"Of course, Miss Lila, I'm glad you came to see me." He sat across from me, crossing his arms over his chest with a huge grin. "I heard you graduated recently. Congratulations. You were studying History, right?"

"Yes, sir. And thank you."

"And you had good grades. Congratulations."

"I did, thank you. I loved my field of study, so it was fun. Not finals, but school was fun. I enjoyed it in general."

"Summa Cum Laude?"

"Yes sir. I wore a nice sash. My dad was happy."

"I know he was," Bob said, shaking his head and smiling. "I saw that picture on his Facebook. Is that what you're going to do?"

"What do you mean? More school? Go back for my master's?" I asked.

"No, I was thinking you might teach history since you liked school so much."

"Oh, no sir. I did like school, being a student and everything, but no. That's actually what I'm here about."

"Oh, really?" He rocked back in his chair. "Now I'm curious." He continued smiling at me, waiting for me to continue.

"I'm getting into party planning." I had my business card handy and I leaned forward and placed it on the desk between us.

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