Page 136 of Need You to Choose Me

Later that day, I put the application in the mail and think about the opportunities that could come for me and my future.

Opportunities for myself, but also with Alex.

I hope O’Conner is worth your time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Olive

My adviser’s officenever used to seem so daunting whenever I’d come here for class scheduling or check-ins. The middle-aged man who I was assigned to for the last four years has always been nothing but laid back and supportive in whatever I’ve wanted to do. Like when I switched my minors three different times before eventually dropping it.

“I’m surprisedThe Narniawasn’t interested,” Professor Merritt says with a frown, looking over the applications I sent in. He leans back in his chair, swiping at his stubbled jaw. “Someone with your grades and article portfolio should have captured their attention. But times are tough right now. I suppose people are downsizing.”

The way he talked upThe Narinamade me think I was guaranteed to gain some interest from them. Especially since he worked there before coming to Lindon to teach in the comms department. He’d written me a glowing recommendation which gave me an advantage. It was the last internship on our list that I planned on applying to.

“It’s always tough finding something right away,” he tells me in encouragement. “We won’t give up.”

I grab my backpack and pull out the copy of my application to the Penguin’s PR team. “There is one more that I applied to that wasn’t on the list we created.”

Hesitantly, I pass it to him.

He scans the page with raised eyebrows in surprise. “It’s a good fit,” he surmises casually. “You mentioned not wanting to touch hockey as a potential path.”

Professor Merritt started right before Sebastian graduated. He never had him in any classes, but he knew who my brother was. Anyone who works here has heard about him being drafted. It’s like that for any athlete who goes pro. Not that long ago it was Aiden Griffith from the football team who was making local headlines when the Giants took him on as their new tight end. Another reason to love New York’s team.

“I didn’t want anybody to intervene,” I explain, although he already knows this. “It’d be too easy if I asked my brother for his help. Then it would feel like a handout.”

He lifts the paper I gave him. “This isn’t for the Rangers.”

A small smile curls my lips. “No, it isn’t.”

He laughs lightly to himself. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with utilizing connections. It’s no different than me trying to get you intoThe Narnia.”

Except I’m not sleeping with him, so it’s less for people to talk about if they did want to work with me. “That’s a little different, professor. And I’m sure you know that.”

Who doesn’t? Since classes started, I’ve had people whisper and stare at me. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what they’re talking about. Alex may have killed the horrible pictures and dumb tabloid fodder, but people here still talk a little too much about the viral moments I’ve had with two different hockey players.

Professor Merrett shrugs. “I’ve always been more of a baseball fan myself.”

His casual remark has me smiling and leaning back into my seat. Because he doesn’t care about how I know Alex or why I’m applying for this internship. It’s refreshing.

“You’ve always done your best work when it focused on hockey. It’s a passion of yours. So, I think it’s great that you’re finally accepting help,” he adds, slipping the copy of the paper into the folder of applications we collected over the last year. “You’ve always been determined to do everything on your own since I’ve known you, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Soon, you’ll realize life can be hard. We need all the support we can get to handle it all.”

I’m not sure if my family will be proud of me for accepting Alex’s help, or if it’ll be another reason for Sebastian to be mad. I guess time will tell. “I’m not even guaranteed to get this.”

Although the feeling in my gut tells me I will. Not only because of Alex, but because I truly believe I can make a difference by being part of their team.

“Keep me updated on what you hear,” he tells me, closing the folder and sliding it into his filing cabinet. “Unless you need me, we won’t meet up until it’s time to submit your petition to graduate and how many tickets you’ll need for commencement in the spring.”

Goosebumps cover my arms. “It sounds so…final. We’re not even at midterms yet this semester.”

He offers me a sympathetic smile. “Time goes by quickly, especially when we least want it to. Enjoy life as it comes, Olive. That’s the best advice I can leave you with.”

It’s solid advice.

I zip my bag up and toss it over my shoulder after standing. “Youreallyprefer baseball over hockey?”

All he does is grin.

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