Page 35 of Play the Field

“Thanks.” I smiled as I peeked over at them. Bent over, I untied my cleats. “So, how is the planning for the future coming?”

“Fine.” Cleo swallowed hard, avoiding the question as much as possible. Flustered, they finished taking off their cleats and slipped on their sneakers. “I’ve had this idea for a while and haven’t gotten around to writing anything.”

My jaw dropped as I sat up. “You still write?”

Shaking their head, Cleo groaned. “Didn’t you just hear me say Ihaven’twritten?”

“But like… you still want to?” I watched them closely, knowing they were likely to play it all down. But in reality, Cleo had always been a skilled writer. Back in high school, they would write in an old notebook in the dugout.

“Kind of. I mean the bookstore leaves me with a lot of time just sitting around.” Cleo stood from the rusty old bench and packed up their bag.

Clapping my hands together, I looked up at them. “This is perfect. I want to take you somewhere.”

Wrinkling their forehead, Cleo shook their head. “How can that be true?”

“Well, you’ve been helping me. So, let me help you.” I knew my eyes had lit up far more than I meant them to. But I couldn’t stop myself from getting excited when Cleo was around.

Cleo bit their lip. “When?”

For a moment, I racked my brain for the details. I saw the poster over a month ago but even then, I pictured the two of us there. And now, I needed to make it happen. Pulling out my phone, I checked the date.

“Tonight. I’ll pick you up at 5.” A smile took over my cheeks as I grabbed my packed bag off the bench.

“Seriously?” I could see Cleo’s own smile playing on their lips. “What if I had plans?”

I didn’t mean to let the laugh escape my lungs but when it did, I raised my hands in surrender. “Then you don’t anymore. This is more important.” Not waiting to hear any resistance, I walked out of the dugout and left them in my dust.

Besides, I didn’t have time to waste. I needed to get ready for my date with my ex.

A few hours later, I was dressed and showered. I had texted Dan and Meredith to let them know I’d be out for dinner and headed out of the house just before 5 pm. Before I walked out, I checked my reflection in the full-length mirror by the front door.

The black trousers were tight on my newly muscular thighs. But the matching black belt and button-down look slick. I hoped it would draw at least a little bit of Cleo’s attention. After all, it was their work that got me to look like this again.

I took off to my car, skipping the last two steps of the porch stairs and basically throwing myself into the car. I’d kept my hair down, letting the long locks flow down my shoulders and back.

Starting up the car, I started the short drive over to Cleo’s place. I tried not to get too in my head as I drove, not wanting to let my nerves get the best of me before I even saw them.

Instead, I blasted the radio until I pulled up outside of Cleo’s Shelf. Hopping out of the car, I smoothed out my shirt.

God, I hope this turns out okay.

Walking up to the apartment door, I pressed the buzzer and waited. No answer. I wasn’t sure how long I should wait before ringing the bell again. I turned to look down the street, luckilyno one was around to see my shame. The sun was just starting to sink in the sky, it would be setting just as we hit the river.

Behind me, the rattle of the old metal door drew my attention.

“Sorry, I was already heading out when you buzzed.” Cleo stopped in their tracks as they saw me.

Turning around, my jaw dropped. They looked amazing in a flowing sundress in the perfect autumn orange. “Wow.”

Cleo rolled their eyes. “Stop.”

But I couldn’t. Maybe this wasn’t supposed to be a date, but I hadn’t seen them dress up like this since we were in our early twenties. Seeing them like this blew my mind.

“Where are you taking me?” Narrowing their eyes, Cleo glared at me.

I offered them my hand as we walked to the car, but they crossed their arms instead. Jogging across the sidewalk, I grabbed the handle of my Mercedes Benz and pulled the door open for her. “After you.”

“Thanks.” Cleo slid into the car, tucking their dress under their legs.

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