Page 103 of If We Never Met

The past two months had come with a lot of self-analysis and fear for the future. He'd had to face the possibility his career might be over, and even though the injury was now just going to be a blip on his record, a short time away from the big stage of his life, he had changed because of it.

He had been forced to think about a life without the game he loved, and it had been terrifying. He loved being a pitcher. He loved baseball. He loved the guys on his team and the fans who came out to cheer them on. He'd been forced to imagine a life where he didn't get to go out and pitch, where he didn't hear the roar of a crowd or feel the pressure of a game on the line, and his future had seemed bleak until he met Keira. She had wrapped him up in her smiles and her arms and her body. She'd brought him back to life, made him realize that what he did for a living wasn't all that he was.

He could talk to Keira in a way he'd never talked to anyone else. They'd gotten deep so fast and so easily. He knew her, and she knew him. It hadn't all been serious. They'd laughed a lot. In fact, being with Keira had brought simple joys back into his life. She'd opened up a new world to him, one where he was just one of a gang of fun, friendly people, who lived and loved without being on a stage, without running from the tabloids, without needing to be better all the time. It had been an incredible break.

But that's all it had been—a break. His life was in Miami, and Keira's life was here. They couldn't be together. Unless…

Could he find a way?But what way?Could they do long distance? Could he come back to Whisper Lake in the off-season? Would that be enough?

The baseball season was March to the end of October. That didn't leave many months for any other kind of life. And he wasn't close to retirement, not if his arm was truly back to normal. He could play another six to eight years.

And what about Keira's dreams?

Even if she were willing to follow him to Miami, how could he let her do that?She needed to think about putting herself first. If she was going to move anywhere, she should go to New York. She was too good not to do what she was meant to do. But she put other people before herself.

They really were opposites. He'd always put himself first, and she never had. Maybe they needed to rub off on each other. He needed to think more about other people, and she needed to think less.

He sighed once more as his brain grappled with unsolvable problems. Finally, he got out of bed and hit the shower. He needed to get to rehab and keep working on his recovery. At least it looked like his arm could be fixed. He didn't know about anything else. But he did know that he wasn't ready to end it with Keira; he just needed to convince her that five more happy days were worth whatever else might be coming.

Keira started getting texts from Dante shortly after lunchtime, but she didn't reply. She didn't know what she wanted to say. He wanted to get together for dinner. He wanted to take her out. And yesterday she would have said yes in a heartbeat, but now…she was torn. She liked him way too much, and she sensed a world of hurt coming her way.Why make everything worse by drawing out their goodbye?And it would be worse, because every day she fell a little more in love with him.

It was crazy. They hadn't known each other very long, but she couldn't deny her feelings. She'd dated enough men in her life to know what she wanted, and Dante checked off a lot of boxes, except the big one. He didn't live in Whisper Lake. He didn't have a life in this town. He'd asked her before if that was a deal breaker. She hadn't said it was, but maybe she hadn't been honest with herself.

She looked up as the door opened and two teenagers walked in. She gave them a smile as they asked where the sale rack was. She waved them toward the back corner of the store.

A woman came in next, wearing a very stylish dress with stiletto heels and dark sunglasses. The jewelry around her neck was stunning and eye-catching. She was definitely not a local.

She came up to the counter and removed her glasses. "Keira Blake?"

"Yes. Can I help you?"

"I'm Margot Devane. I've emailed you several times. My client, Jessica Stillman, is very interested in your work."

"Of course. I'm sorry. It's been a busy week. Ms. Stillman wants a dress for an awards show in October. Is that right?"

"She does. But now she's doing a movie festival in Rome in September where she'll have several events that need very special outfits. She'd like to discuss everything with you as soon as possible. She loved Chelsea Cole's dress. She feels that you're someone who will give her something original."

"I'm so happy to hear that."

"Good. Because this is an incredible opportunity. I'll be honest with you. I've tried to have her work with designers in LA where I'm located, and she has turned everyone down. She wants you, and she sent me here to tell you that she won't take no for an answer. She'd like you to come to LA as soon as possible for a meeting."

"Uh." She was a little overwhelmed by Margot's words. "I have a lot going on this week. I have a wedding on Saturday, and I have my businesses to run."

"Are you saying you don't want to meet her?"

She licked her lips.What the hell was she thinking?"No, I'm not saying that. I would love to meet her, but it would have to be next week at the earliest. If she wants to talk before then, we could do a video chat."

"No, she wants to get to know you in person. Why don't we try for next Monday?"

"Next Monday?" she echoed. "That might be a little soon."

"Working with Jessica will be incredibly lucrative for you. I really don't understand your hesitation. She's one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood right now."

"I know, and I am very honored—really. I just have some family issues."

"All right, but I'll need an answer by Friday." Margot handed her a card. "I look forward to setting up your trip. It's my job to get Jessica what she wants, and she wants you. Let's make this work for both of us."

She picked up the card. "I'll let you know by Friday. Thanks for the offer."

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