Page 57 of Inside the Penalty Box

“Well, why don’t we blow this place? We’ve spent enough time here.”

“Funny you say that. I think I’m going to miss it, in some messed-up way.” I giggled.

“Me too, and in some I won’t.”

We both laughed and then headed to the car.

* * *

I carefully placed the salmon onto the baking sheet and seasoned it perfectly, then slid it into the oven while Lorelai made the salad. The doorbell rang, and I ran to answer it only to find a box sitting on the porch wrapped with a red ribbon.

“Who is it?” I heard Lorelai ask.

“A box,” I muttered, locking the door back up and heading into the kitchen with it.

“Sorry, who was it?” she asked again, tossing the salad.

“What?” I questioned.

“I asked you who was at the door.”

“It’s a box.” I shrugged, pulling at the red ribbon and lifting the lid to see a bottle of wine and a card.

Lorelai made her way over and pulled the wine from the box. “Oh, it’s an expensive one. Candace and Phil are having this at their wedding. Who’s it from?” she questioned, reading the label.

I opened the card to see ‘Congratulations’ written on the front of it, and on the back, ‘Hope you enjoy. Sorry I can’t be there. Love Dylan.’

“It’s from Dylan,” I answered, placing the card on the table, which Lorelai picked up right away.

“Ahhh, how sweet! He can’t be here, but he’s still thinking of you.” She swooned, gesturing to the cupboard for two glasses.

Dylan had plans with the guys from the team tonight, but he’d promised he’d be here in spirit.

I handed her the corkscrew and grabbed the two glasses, placing them on the table while I quickly checked the fish. Lorelai had just poured the wine and passed me one glass when the phone rang.

“Ugh, don’t drink just yet. We need to cheers each other,” she said, reaching for the phone.

I watched as she listened to whatever was being said. She nodded, mumbled a few things, and then agreed we’d see whoever it was on Monday. I frowned as she hung up, wondering who it was. When she said nothing, I placed my wineglass down and placed my hands on my hips.

“Well, you going to tell me what that was about?” I questioned.

She looked at me and nodded.

“Okay then, tell me, what are we doing on Monday?”

Lorelai giggled and then jumped up and down. “That was the head of the sports therapy department with the Dominators. We are both to report to our place of employment Monday morning to go over our schedules.”

“What?” I questioned, not sure I totally believed her. “Are you serious?”

“Completely.”

“Oh, my god!” I screamed, joining her in her celebratory jumping as we both laughed and hugged.

“Okay, let’s cheers!” I screamed.

We both grabbed our glasses and congratulated each other and then we both took a sip. I closed my eyes as I took a drink. It had to be the best wine I’d ever tasted.

“Dylan has good taste,” Lorelai said, winking at me.

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