Page 29 of Nothing Like the Movies

And my job?

It seemed impossible, but I also wasn’t about to say no.

Not to Lilith.

Because the thing of it was, she’d already become more than a professional mentor to me; she was my hero. I didn’t know exactly how old she was, but she was young for what a powerhouse she was at HEFT, as well as the work she did with the NFL. I’d seen hundreds of pictures of her getting sideline shots at important gameslike the Super Bowl, and she was such an inspiration that I’d rather do almost anything than disappoint her.

“Even though this is your internship ‘assignment,’ it’s work that the AD wants done so you’ll be able to loop it through your job and have access to your usual resources. He okayed pulling someone to be your dedicated counterpart, so if you have a coworker you prefer teaming up with and they’re interested, let me know who that is and I’ll pass on the word.”

So I can still work with Clark.That was a relief, even though I was still completely overwhelmed by what she was proposing.

“Let me ask him, but I’m pretty sure Clark Waters would totally be interested, and he’s great.”

“Wonderful,” she said, picking up her phone to type in Clark’s name. “The details are still being ironed out, Liz, but it’s very likely this little assignment could actually end up in the documentary.”

“What?” That made all other thoughts cease, because until now, the only thing I thought I’d be contributing to a legitimate film documentary was my assistance. “Really?”

She nodded and looked up from her phone. “Obviously my hands are the ones that will be all over the film—I’m terribly territorial and don’t like to share, to be honest. But if this preseason content hits the way I think it will, it’ll be great to have these clips in the first act. Especially the intros.”

“Yeah, um, about the intros,” I said, clearing my throat, unsure exactly what to say. “I feel like there’s something I need to make you aware of.”

“Oh?” Lilith narrowed her eyes and asked, “What is it?”

“Well, it seems that one of the players and I have, uh… a complicated history, I guess you could say.” My cheeks were warm as I explained. “I haven’t seen him in years, and until Friday, I had no idea he was even at UCLA, much less on the baseball team. But I just feel like I should put it out there, before we get started, that I used to have a relationship with Wes Bennett.”

She tilted her head. “The new ace?”

Was that how he was being referred to—the new ace?

“Yes.”

“I see.” She crossed her arms. “Should I be concerned by the word ‘complicated’? Are there issues I should be aware of?”

“No, no,” I corrected, shaking my head. “Nothing like that—it was totally a normal high school dating relationship. I just thought you should know, in case you thought it was a conflict of interest or something.”

“I don’t have any issues with it,” she said slowly, giving me serious eye contact. “As long as you can work with him professionally. Can you?”

“Of course I can,” I exclaimed, nodding wildly. “It’s ancient history, truly.”

“Good,” she said, straightening and walking back around the desk. “So do you think you can juggle your coursework andHard Knocks? How do you feel about this assignment?”

I definitely can’t juggle it all.

Maybe I can, though…?

I have no idea!

My anxiety-riddled brain was running wild, but when I lookedat Lilith, at this inspiring woman who was all over everything, I realized that I could be too.

I mean, ofcourseI could.

Because I wasn’t Little Liz anymore.

I loved where I was in life. I loved my friends, loved my school, and I was obsessed with my internship. I could handle my studies, and Iwouldhandle this challenge.

Because if Wes Bennett hadn’t showed up a few days ago, I would be screaming over this opportunity and celebrating my unbelievable good luck.

So I couldn’t let someone from my past, someone I hadn’t seen in years, ruin it for me.

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