Page 64 of The Thing About My Rival

So she was stalling?

ME

Maybe?

TOM

I realize you’re not aware of this phenomenon, but for us mere mortals, a woman saying no when you ask her out is always a possibility.

ME

She seemed happy at first. Very happy. Twice.

TOM

She’s sensible, though, right? And serious about the job?

ME

And I’m fucking serious about the job. I really want to keep it. For one more season anyway. Then maybe I can moveto somewhere in Europe.

TOM

Right. So how do you date someone you need to put out of work to get the job you want?

ME

Fuck off.

TOM

And would she want to date someone who SHE needs to put out of work to get the job she wants?

ME

She never wanted that job. Rumor is she wanted to own the place. But apparently her dad’s a total wanker and sold it and gave her the head coach job as a consolation prize. I also reckon he thought the Fab Four would fire her.

TOM

Oh, look at you. Getting to know her family already.

ME

Never met them. But Prince Oliver is cool, and he told me that’s what he’d heard.

TOM

All I’m saying is, perhaps she is the woman of your dreams. But maybe I was wrong before. Maybe there is such a thing as bad timing.

ME

I know how to find out if Wilcox drinks coffee. The Fab Four’s assistant. She seems to know her. I’ll ask her in the morning.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

DREW

Looking down on the training field from the owners’ office window and watching Hugo put the guys through their paces has taken on a whole new meaning this Monday morning.

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