Page 33 of Trade Deadline

“I’m just calling because I wanted to let you know what happened this week.”

I squeeze the water bottle between my hands.

Here it comes.

“The team has done a great job at removing all traces of those photos, but one thing I noticed, which I’m pleased about, by the way, is that the media’s now talking about how you’ve kinda fallen off the radar. Don’t get me wrong, I'm stoked you’ve followed my advice, but they’re saying they haven’t seen you out with the team either.” His head tilts curiously. “What's that about?”

This is either going to get me into a shit ton of trouble or it’ll be the news Hayden wants to hear.

“I met someone.”

Hayden stills. He’s so frozen that I start to think maybe I’ve lost him. I move the cursor and check my internet connection. I’m still connected. I’m about to close the call so I can call him back when a rumble of laughter comes from him.

“Wait. Did I just hear that right? You’ve met someone?” His eyes are comically wide.

I nod, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Yeah, I actually met him that night after you visited.” I smile when the image of Alex enters my brain—how shocked he looked when I knocked into the boards and spilled his drink over him.

Hayden leans closer to the screen. His brow furrows, his eyes searching. I have no idea what he’s thinking, and the longer he remains mute, the more worried I get.

Is he going to tell me to call off my date with Alex?

My initial thought on that is “fuck no,” but can I tell my agent to fuck off when he’s working hard to make sure I don’t end up on the trading table?

A whooshing breath escapes me when he lets out a laugh. A full-on belly laugh.

“Holy shit.” He wipes his eyes with the heel of his hand. “I never thought I would see the day when Blaine Olsen met someone. So, are you going to do this properly?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m taking him out tomorrow.”

“And you’re serious about him? You’re not just using him to make yourself look good?”

I reel back as if I’ve been sucker punched. I want to be offended that he’s insinuating I’d use Alex, but I can't because it is something former me would have considered.

Pre-Alex me.

I shake my head. “No, I’m not using him. I liked that he didn’t just fall for my charms like everyone else. He’s made me work. He was interested, but I’m sure my reputation made him question my motives. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.”

At all.

To the point where I haven’t been able to think about anything else. All I see when I close my eyes is his shy smile, those sparkling blue eyes, his rosy, pink blush.

That fucking blush.

I can’t put my finger on what it is that’s drawing me to him.

Is it the chase? I don’t think so.

Don’t get me wrong, I dig the chase, but I want to get to know him. What makes him tick. What makes him laugh the way he does, which feels like silk caressing my skin.

I want to know everything about him.

Hayden’s face softens. “Where are you taking him?”

“Booked to go to some crazy mini golf place, then out for tacos.”

I spent yesterday afternoon searching for first date ideas. Some were kinda extravagant, like rock climbing or visiting ancient baths, none of which really seemed to pique my interest. Then Zach smacked the back of my head with his big, meaty paw and told me to stop overthinking it.

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