Page 60 of All Signs Point to Malibu

A big relief.

I do not need this thing with Warren escalating to something it doesn’t need to be. Shouldn’t be. It’s not like we could actually date. We’re totally wrong for one another, we have history that forbids it, and with my gift preventing me from fully opening up to another person, any relationship with him would be doomed from the start. My glimpse into Warren’s career-ending injury would always be the elephant in the room and how could a long-lasting relationship survive that underlying tension?

As I leave my office, my phone chimes with a message from him. I look at it and read:

I’ll be there bright and early.

The idea of seeing him shouldn’t be making me this excited, but the butterflies in my stomach tell me that despite all common sense, there is a definite attraction.

One that could be a huge distraction if I let it.

Operation Breakup has taken a back seat in recent days...but I need to stay focused.

Stopping this wedding all comes down to tomorrow.

ELEVEN

HAILEY’S DAILY RULE FOR SUCCESS:

When nothing goes right, redefine your definition of right.

The next day, a crew sets up a temporary stage in my backyard as we decorate for the party. Across the yard, Warren stands on a ladder, hanging a string of white lights. He glances toward me and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear there was attraction in his gaze. Things seem to have shifted over the last week working to pull this off.

I head his way and pause next to the ladder. He’s of course ignored my instructions to let the lights drape several inches, but they look better his way. “Looking good.”

“Why, thank you,” he says with a wink that sets my heart racing.

Eyes on the prize, Hailey.

“I meant the lights,” I say awkwardly.

“I know,” he says with a grin.

How did the grin that used to grate on my last nerve suddenly become a highlight of my day?

My cell phone rings and I reach into my shorts pocket. A glance at the caller ID reveals “Coach Baxter.”

That was quick. Good sign or bad sign to have a decision this early?

“I have to get this,” I say distractedly, my gaze still on the ringing phone.

“Take your time. It’s not like you’re helping anyway,” Warren jokes, and I have no time to focus on whether or not we are flirting.

Nervously, I move away and answer the call with enthusiasm in my voice. “Hey, Coach Baxter. Wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.” Immediately assume the upper hand by letting the opposite party know they’ve shown their cards.

“Didn’t want to leave you waiting after the impressive pitch we received last night,” he says and it’s impossible to tell from the tone if they’re in or out...but he did say impressive so my hopes rise.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” If only all coaches were as responsive as Coach Baxter.

“So, I reviewed it, and Kylie and I discussed it this morning. We thought you had some great ideas, and your viewpoints on her career trajectory were really outside the box. Playing up her weaknesses and moving her into positions the opposition won’t expect was quite ingenious.”

My confidence grows. “I do think that strategy is a good one for her.” After watching countless hours of footage, I noticed Kylie wasn’t being utilized to her full potential in the second baseman position. “Sure, it’s a little unorthodox, but we can’t always do what the competition is doing if we want to get ahead.”

A long pause on the other end, then, “Yeah, well, Spencer Stanley feels differently. He feels playing to her strengths is the better approach,” Coach Baxter says, and my spirits take a nosedive.

They’ve been chatting with Spencer too. That shouldn’t surprise me, but I thought maybe I’d hit on a team he hadn’t. I was hoping Spencer wasn’t targeting female athletes...

I swallow hard and take a slow breath before answering. “Spencer Stanley, right. He’s really great. I’m sure he has a lot to offer Kylie, as well.” The fastest way to discredit yourself is by discrediting someone else. “But I think his approach is a little more old-school.”

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