Page 17 of A Game Plan for Love

“Your special tree?” Sharon asks, knowing the meaning behind the large oak tree in the park.

Outside of its perfect location to spot seabirds bobbing in the waves, it’s where Alan and I sat when I moved to Seattle after I was drafted. Where he told me he loved me and was proud of me. Where he called me his son. Where I wanted to ask him if I could call him “Dad,” but chickened out at the last moment.

I’ve spent a lot of time regretting that decision.

Grief swirls around my chest, and I rub my solar plexus to dislodge the discomfort.

“It was on his birthday. The day I ran into Addie. It was his birthday. I ordered all of the food he loved from his favorite restaurant, and she was right there, eyes screaming for someone to save her from that shitty date.” I’m rambling now, but once I start, it’s tough to stop. “But, I think she saved me a bit, too.”

Sharon nods in understanding. “How do you know Addie?”

“We work together.”

“Oh.”

I’ll give Sharon credit, she attempts to school her features, but not before surprise flickers over them.

“That makes it complicated, but I checked with HR and nothing is preventing us from dating.”

She hums. “And that’s what you want? To date her?”

The word falls flat for what I think I may want with Addie, but it’s the first step. Sharon’s quiet for a moment, before she inclines her head and sets her notebook to the side. My knee bobs rapidly, and I snatch one of the fidget toys she keeps on the coffee table. The silicone square absorbs the brunt of my nerves as she assesses me.

“We’ve been working toward this,” she says gently. “This is a good, exciting thing. What’s holding you back?”

“What if she rejects me? What if the zing is wrong? What if I fall in love with her and she leaves?”

The questions whoosh out of me, and just voicing my concerns out loud relieves some of the pressure building behind my eyes.

“Let’s unpack that.”

“My least favorite three words,” I grumble, but sigh and lean back on the couch. “I think I’m finally crashing from the high of realizing I zinged, and now the reality that she may not reciprocate has set in.”

What I don’t say out loud is I’ve allowed myself to start to daydream about her—picnics in the park and stolen moments at work—and the longer the dreams linger, the more painful it will be when it doesn’t happen.

Most of my childhood was filled with dreams just like this—ones that felt so close, but just out of my reach.

“But what if she does?” Sharon raises a brow. “What if everything happens exactly how you hope and Addie agrees to go on a date?”

I open my mouth to counter, but pause.What if everything happens exactly how I hope?

The hope that formed when Addie met me in the lobby grows a bit larger, a bit more permanent.

“Trust your gut. If it tells you it's worth pursuing, then do so.” A bright smile blooms on my face. “With caution, and care,” she adds. “Recognize that Addie may not feel the same, and set a plan in place to manage your emotions if she doesn’t reciprocate.”

Sharon’s right.

I need a game plan to win over Addie’s heart. Structure and attainable goals. Back-ups if the first option of the play falls through.

And I know exactly who to call.

I slam the front door open with a loudbang,and six pairs of startled eyes meet mine.

Usually book club is an exclusive event, and Deon, Henry, and Jack only make guest appearances—they never read the books, much to my chagrin—but all of my friends have been summoned tonight.

This gathering has a different agenda, and it requires all seven brains to plan. I need Deon and Jack’s level-headedness, Sawyer and Nathalie’s expertise in love and declarations, Maren’s steadfast determination, and Henry’s bright optimism.

It’s time to formulate a game plan to win Addie’s heart. I’ve been navigating the dating world on my own, and it hasn’t worked. I offer myself horrible advice.

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