Page 139 of Just One Season
“It’d be senior director of marketing and public relations, which you’ve proved you’re completely qualified for. The same level as your Winchester FC job offer. We can talk salary and benefits, if you want.”
Lina tells me the estimated salary, and I nod. It’s good. Not as good as the job Richard is dangling in front of me, but similar to Winchester FC.
“Thank you.” I look back inside. “I think I better get back in there.”
“Okay.” She releases my hand. “Hey, call or text if you want to talk.”
And with a quick hug, Lina’s gone. I stand in the hallway alone.
I havethreejob offers?
I picture Atticus dropping me off at the Denver airport, about an hour drive from Fort Collins. Getting on a plane to England. Flying thousands of miles away from this place. Away from Atticus. Kellen. MBM.
The thought fills me with dread.
What if I stayed here?
I allow myself to consider the idea. I’m filled with the opposite of dread. Elation. Hope.
Love.
I head back in to see Kellen.
“Do you mean it?” I walk quickly up to him, the scratchy corporate carpet rough on my bare feet.
He turns to me and nods his head. “Every word. Lucy, I?—”
“I love you too.” I say it so quickly, he blinks and his forehead crinkles. I close my eyes and intake a steadying breath.
That’s not enough. I have to explain why I love him.
I open my eyes.
“I think I fell in love with you in Wyoming when we kissed under the carpet of stars behind the resort. Or maybe it was as far back as the first hike we went on when you saved me from the rattlesnake.”
Kellen chuckles and reaches his hands out to mine. I let him entwine our fingers together.
“You would’ve been okay.”
“Well, you definitely saved MBM.”
“I think it was Bear at the time. But yeah, he might not have been okay.”
I huff a laugh.
“Kellen, you made me feel something again. Not just something. Everything. You had no judgement. You laughed with me when my dog was ridiculous. So basically all the time.” I shrug. “When I was ridiculous. Also all the time.”
Kellen huffs a laugh, but I keep talking, this time with a smile behind my words.
“You laugh when I do stupid shit like spitting water all over you or breaking my shoe before a big press conference.”
“I love you because you’re ridiculous, not in spite of it, Lucy.”
I close my eyes for a beat and breathe in. I want to hear those words over and over out of Kellen’s mouth.
“You’re brave and strong and care so much about your daughter. You treat your teammates like your family and are generous and kind. And the way you look at me?” My voice hitches. “The way I feel when you touch me?” I glance down at his lips and let the warmth from his fingers spread up my arms and into my chest.
“You make me crazy for you, hot sauce,” Kellen says, dead serious.
