Page 48 of Sliding into Love
"You think people are going to wait for you?" I ask him. "That they won't fall in love with someone else?"
Gillies shrugs. "It's not about that. I've never felt this pull that you have with Royce, with anyone. If I did, you could bet your ass I would be bending over backwards to take care of them, to be there for them."
“You make it sound so simple. Like this is all just a matter of circumstance, and it'll all work out in the end."
"It will work out in the end, Kenny. You're making such a big deal out of a situation you haven't even really given your best shot. If this were baseball, and you were half-assing it on the field, your coach would yell at you until you got it right. Well, pretend I'm your coach and this is me yelling. Get out there and prove that you are important enough to have their attention. Make it so they can't not think about you."
His words settle over me, sinking in and latching on. He's right. I do have to get in front of Royce. I do have to make myself a bit of a spectacle. Get their attention and prove that I'm worth stopping and taking a second glance at. It's going to be a lot, and I already know that Royce will probably fight me on it.
In the end, though, it could change everything. It could give us a happily ever after. It could finally correct all the wrongs from my childhood.
Because if there's one thing I know, it's that I belong to Royce Bellport. I just have to make them understand it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ROYCE
The office isquiet when I arrive Monday morning, the post-holiday lull still hanging over the building. Most of the staff won't be back until later in the week, but Kenneth and I agreed to meet today to go over the schedule for the upcoming games and finalize some vendor contracts.
I'm early—deliberately so—because I have an item in my bag that's been sitting in my closet since I bought it, and I need to work up the nerve to actually give it to him.
It's stupid, really.
It's just a gift.
A small token I picked up while shopping with Carmen. But every time I've thought about handing it over, I've chickened out, worried it's too much or too sentimental or too forward.
I set my bag on my desk and pull out the wrapped package. Simple brown paper with a thin red ribbon that Carmen insisted on adding taunts me.
"It's a gift, Royce. Make it look like one," she'd said, rolling her eyes at my idea to throw it in a gift bag.
The stuffed baseball mitt sits heavy in my hands. It's well-made, with detailed stitching that mimics a real glove, and a small plush baseball tucked into the pocket. The moment I saw itin the store, I thought of Kenneth. Of his injury, his lost dreams, the career that ended before it really began.
Maybe this is a terrible idea.
Maybe it'll just remind him of everything he lost.
I'm about to shove it back in my bag when I hear footsteps in the hallway.
"Morning," Kenneth says, appearing in my doorway with two coffee cups. He's wearing dark slacks and a blue button-down that makes his eyes look impossibly bright. "Brought you a coffee. Figured we could both use the caffeine after the holiday break."
"You're a lifesaver." I take the cup gratefully, then realize I'm still holding the wrapped package. There's no subtle way to hide it now.
Kenneth's eyes immediately go to the gift in my other hand. "What's that?"
"Nothing. Just—" I clear my throat, suddenly feeling ridiculous. "It's for you, actually. I picked it up while shopping with my sister and I haven’t had the chance yet to give it to you."
That's a lie.
I could have gotten it to him just like he got the soup to me.
I was too nervous.
"For me?" He sets his coffee down and steps closer, curiosity evident on his face. "Can I open it?"
"It's not a big deal," I say quickly, thrusting it toward him. "Just a small thing I thought you might like. You don't have to keep it or anything if you don't?—"
"Royce." He takes the package, his fingers brushing mine. "Stop spiraling. I'm sure I'll like whatever it is."
