Page 147 of Off Pitch

Knox stands before me with an arm behind his back, looking absolutely flawless. His beard is trimmed and even. He’s wearing a white short-sleeve linen shirt with the top buttons undone, tucked into a pair of above-the-ankle navy slacks, and finished off with a pair of white sneakers.

God, he looks sohandsome.

“H-hi,” I manage, breathless.

“Harlow,” he stammers, stepping into my apartment. “You look… beautiful.”

I blush. “Thank you, Knox. You look great, too.” He smiles at me as I take notice of his still-hidden arm. “What are you hiding behind your back?”

“Oh,” he says in surprise, apparently forgetting he was carrying anything. “I brought something for you.”

Here is where, on every first date I’ve been on, I’m presented with a bouquet of flowers, colorful and fragrant. I always smile and graciously accept even though they’re something I’d never want. But when Knox pulls out a bouquet of red roses, I’m left in awe.

They’re fake.

He remembered.

“You-” I pause momentarily, trying to collect myself so I don’t cry. “You brought me fake flowers, Knox.” My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

“I remember what you said, Lo. You don’t like flowers, and if you ever get any, you prefer fake ones.” He gives me a soft, sweet smile that I just want to kiss off his face.

I clap my hands over the lower half of my face, still trying but failing to keep it together. “I only told you that once.”

He looks at me sheepishly. “I remember everything you tell me, Harlow. I took a mental note of that when you told me and kept it in my back pocket. Right now, I’m happy I did.”

The tears welling in my eyes finally spill over. For so long, I dated men who wouldn’t put in much effort. I told myself that was normal. But here Knox is remembering something I told him once months ago.

He put in the effort I told myself no one ever would.

He cared.

I leap forward and wrap my arms around his neck, bringing his mouth to mine and kissing him between sobs.

“Thank you,” I say when we part, pressing my forehead against his. “These are absolutely perfect.”

“If this is how the date is starting, I’m ready to see how the rest of the night will go,” Knox says.

I smile at him, happy and content. “So am I.”

He reaches out and takes my hand. “Shall we then?”

When we leave my apartment, Knox walks me down to his car before opening the door and helping me inside. He’s done that before, but it feels so different, so muchbetterknowing that it isn’t for the cameras this time.

He holds my hand the entire drive back to his penthouse in Battery Park City, shooting me sweet smiles amid some light conversation.

Knox is so relaxed tonight. I was so anxious about this date earlier, but he isn’t nervous at all. He’s getting what he finally acknowledged he wants—me.

I tease him a bit when we pull into his parking garage. “Little soon to be taking me back to your place, don’t you think?” I say with a sly smile.

“Ah, you think you’re funny,” Knox grins in return. “Our date is not at my place, but it is in this building.”

I look at him, confused. “Your building is nothing but apartments, though. How could we have a date here?”

“Don’t worry, Lo.” He takes my hand, still entwined with his, and kisses it. “I’ve got it all planned out.”

He exits the car then and walks around to open my door, grabbing my hand again as I step out. Now, hand in hand, he leads me inside, and we head to the building lobby.

“Hi, Stephen,” Knox says as we approach the concierge desk. An apartment building with concierge service. My budget could never afford something like that.

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