Page 86 of Hitting the Gap

“May I speak to Colette Beringer, please?”

“Ms. Beringer is not in. May I take a message?” the woman on the other end asked.

“Yes, this is Bailey Reynolds.”

“And what is this regarding?”

“She was trying to reach me about speaking at the upcoming conference in New York.” It took everything in her to remain professional when she said that. Every fiber in her being wanted to squeal and jump around with excitement.

“What’s the best number to reach you at?”

Bailey relayed her number to the receptionist and hung up. Giddy, she dropped into her chair and spun in a circle. She kept spinning until she was facing the window. Holy shit, she was going to speak at the GWE convention.

She grabbed her phone back off her desk and pulled up Gonzo’s number. She was just getting ready to leave a message when he picked up.

“Hey, Bay, what’s up?”

“Oh, I didn’t think you’d answer.”

He chuckled. “Then why’d you call?”

“I don’t know. I was excited and you were the first person I wanted to call.”

“I like the sound of that. What are you excited about?” Gonzo asked.

She could hear voices in the background. “Where are you?”

“Just in the locker room, about to head onto the field. So what’s up?”

Shoot, she knew how important it was for him to focus before a game. He had this whole routine he always followed and didn’t like when anything made him veer off course. “Sorry, we can talk after the game.”

“Bay, I wouldn’t have answered if I didn’t want to talk to you. So spill.”

“You sure?”

“Bailey, talk.”

“Umm, turns out I’m going to be teaching a class this summer now as well, so I just got my new office.”

“Cool. So why do you sound like you’re about to jump out of your skin?”

How was it he knew her so well? “Umm, apparently they want me to speak at the GWE convention.”

“What’s that?”

“Global Women’s Equality.” She couldn’t contain the giggle that burst out of her. “I can’t believe it.”

“That’s awesome, Bailey. I take it being asked is a pretty big deal.”

“Yeah, you could say that. It’s kind of like the World Series for gender sociologists.”

“Holy shit, that’s incredible. I’m so proud of you.”

Even over the phone, she could feel how happy he was for her. This was exactly why she’d called him. If anyone would understand what it felt like to realize your dreams, it was him. “Thanks,” she whispered.

“Gonzo, get your ass in gear,” a male voice yelled in the background.

“Sorry, Bay, I gotta go, but I’m really fucking happy for you. When I get home, we’ll go out to celebrate and you can tell me all about it.”

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