Page 52 of Play the Field

Tommy continued. “Good. So some paparazzi caught some of your practice the other day. It looks like your cover is blown.”

Not wanting to alert Cleo to a potential problem, I played it cool. “Got it, what do they have?”

“Nothing crazy. Just you and the ex practicing your pitch. But you can’t tell who’s in the catcher’s mask. Of course, there’s always going to be speculation.” Tommy was always willing to point out the worst case.

“Right.” I swallowed hard. The clock was ticking on this little oasis we’d built together.

Tommy sighed. “But, good news, some sponsors saw the pics and they like how you’re looking. We have some interest in new ad campaigns.”

Pursing my lips, I stirred the orange curry I’d made. “Well, that’s good. Thanks for the report.

“There’s one more thing,” Tommy cleared her throat. “The team wants to send a representative to the championships if your team makes it, that is.”

“Huh.” My forehead wrinkled as Tommy went quiet. “I’ll get back to you on dates for that.”

Tommy clicked her tongue. “Got it. I’m guessing they're in the room, but we should discuss all of this more later. Talk soon?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear. “Yeah, thanks.” Hanging up the phone, I shoved it in my pocket. I couldn’t be sure how much Cleo had heard. From the looks of it, not much as they continued to type away on their computer.

As I plated the food, I tried to recenter myself. The pictures leaking was great news for my career but I wasn’t sure how that would play out for whatever was happening with Cleo. I had no idea if Cleo was interested in getting back together in a real way or if this was just some fun for both of us while I was stuck in New Winford anyway.

Filling up two plates, I swallowed hard. I needed to talk to them at some point.Can’t I just run from it?

31

CLEO

“Dinner’s ready.”Cat interrupted me with the announcement.

Snapping out of my haze, I closed my computer and plastered on a smile. From the looks of it, Cat thought I hadn’t heard a word of the conversation she’d had with her agent in my kitchen.

“Thanks.” I smiled as I walked over to the steaming plates of food, planting a kiss on her cheek. We made our way to my small mid-century modern dining table and sat down.

Digging into the food, we both went a little silent as the delicious mango chicken curry hit our tongues.

Through a pleased groan, I shook my head. “Wow, that’s delicious.”

Cat grinned at me, eager for the praise. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Did I hear you on the phone?” I prodded, poking my food around and trying to act cool.

Nodding, Cat pouted as she ate. “Yeah, everything’s good. But you should know a couple pictures of our practice leaked. Nothing explicit and you’re disguised by the gear, so it should be fine.”

Clearing my throat, I took another bite. “Right, that’s good.” A part of me wondered what she meant. We hadn’t discussed how I felt about a public relationship so Cat couldn’t be sure that I would have minded if Iwasrecognizable. But maybe she preferred it this way for now.

“Did Tommy have anything else to report?” I had to play it cool and hope that Cat would tell me what I needed to know.

“Some sponsors like my form and want me to consider new deals.” Cat tried not to smile, the nervousness of returning to the field hitting her.

Trying to intercept her gaze, I raised an eyebrow. “That’s good, right?” Of course, I knew that it meant Cat would have to leave New Winford, at least for a while. She’d have to go back to the city for photoshoots and interviews.

Cat shrugged. “Yeah, I think so.” With a shrug, she turned back to her food. But I could tell there was something she was leaving out. Grabbing another bite, I decided to trust her. She’d bring it up when she was ready, and until then, she was sitting around the table having made dinner for me.

It was the only way to get through the next couple of weeks, one meal at a time.

Sunlight streamed through the trees as we drove north.

“I’m so excited.” Cat’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel as we got closer to the apple orchard. She asked me to take her apple picking since she hadn’t been in more years than either of us could count.

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