Page 60 of Hello Quarterback

“It has nothing on the farm,” I said.

“Really?” she asked.

I nodded. “I’ll have to show you sometime.”

Her bike wobbled before she got her balance back. “You mean it?”

“Yeah. We don’t have a game two weeks from now. Maybe you could clear your schedule and come check it out.”

Her smiled formed. “Yeah... I’d like that.”

And I stayed on that cloud the rest of the way back to the hotel. Maybe a relationship with Mia wouldn’t hold me back.

For the first time, I let myself think... maybe I could have it all.

33

MIA

I was sittingin a nearby coffee shop, Halfway Café, to get some work done, when my phone started blowing up.

Farrah: Saw the news! You look hot in the pics!

Tallie: You didn’t tell me you were going to California!

She sent a screenshot of a picture clearly taken from a bush outside the hotel. The headline was PREGAME RENDEZVOUS. I was riding a bike while Ford jogged down the sidewalk. He might have been low-key in a hat and sunglasses, but it was hard to mistake his strong jaw and muscular build.

I smiled at the picture. We looked pretty cute and sporty together.

Tallie: So was this trip for work or pleasure?

Grinning salaciously at the phone, I replied to Tallie.

Mia: Both.

Then I switched to a text thread for Farrah.

Mia: Thank you for the encouragement. Hooking up on a weight bench was worth the trip. ;)

I chuckled, setting my phone on focus mode so I could get some work done. I needed to review this presentation once more, sign off on a new marketing campaign for one of the company’s hotels, and start prepping notes for a meeting with the governor. The legislature was working on a new bill to encourage more businesses to headquarter in the state, and he wanted my input.

Sometimes, my to-do list was overwhelming, sure, but I liked having so many plates spinning at once. It made me feel important, accomplished, like I was squeezing every drop out of this life I was given.

And doing it here in California? Hooking up with Ford Madigan? That was just the cherry on top.

I let the happiness settle in my heart and got some focused work in before checking my phone.

Farrah: So did Ford admit his feelings?

I bit my bottom lip, not sure how to reply. Because Ford hadshownthat he cared for me. He’d shared so much with me the night before about his view on life, football, family. But never expressed aloud his desire for what we had to be real.

Instead of replying to Farrah’s text, I switched to a text thread with Ford.

Mia: Hey, in case we don’t get a chance to say goodbye after the game, I wanted to say thanks for this. And good luck tonight.

I didn't fully expect him to reply, because I knew he had things going on today, but within a couple minutes, a text came through.

Ford: I got you a front-row seat so I can find you after. You can't leave town without saying goodbye.

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