Page 6 of Your Secret to Keep

“Do you want to come in?” Lia reaches in her bag for her keys.

Yes. A resounding yes. But as I’m about to answer, there’s a pull at the pit of my stomach. It’s the restraint I wish I didn’t have.

“I do, but… fuck. I can’t believe I'm about to say this.” I pull at my neck and catch her eyes with mine. “I haven’t felt like this in a long time. I kind of don’t want to ruin it. Like, I want to take you out—for real.”

Lia steps in, grabs a handful of my shirt, and places a soft kiss on my mouth. “Then take me out, for real. You have my number,” she insists while putting the key in the lock and opening the door.

“You got it,” I reply as she steps in and stands in the still-open door. I kiss her one last time and pull away.

“Good luck on Saturday. You’re going to be great,” Lia murmurs while closing the door.

For a moment, I awkwardly stand in front of her apartment. She knows I'm going to play for the first time in a long time and didn’t bring it up until the very end. It could’ve easily become the focus of our night, but it didn’t.

Fuck. It makes me like her even more.

Chapter 4

Lia

Myphonewakesmefrom a mid-day nap—a necessity, considering I've recently been bartending until two in the morning and teaching yoga classes four hours later. Last night was my first night off in weeks.

Part of me hopes there will be a text from Brooks waiting for me—my favorite athlete turned man of my dreams with a single impromptu date. My stomach flips when I think about how I offered my phone number—right in the middle of dinner. Will he use it? I have no idea. Part of me feels last night was a one-time thing, but a small piece is holding out that it’s more.

The screen shows an incoming call from a number I don’t know, not my alarm. I wipe the drool from my mouth and answer.

“I’m looking for Lia Stone,” the voice on the other line says.

“This is her.” I stifle a yawn and stretch while holding the phone.

“My name is Megan, and I oversee the Jersey Jaguars’ media team. This is a bit unconventional, but you interviewed for a position a few months back, correct?”

How could I forget? It was practically my dream job—one which focused on social media and connecting fans to the players—and even though I thought I nailed it, they offered the position to someone else. Oof. I hated that day.

“Yes, that’s right.” I stand and my muscles pull with tightness from my awkward sleeping position on the couch.

“I’m hoping you’re still interested in the position. The original candidate didn’t work out. You were our second pick, only by a single vote. You weremyfirst pick for the position.”

No way.

“Is this a joke?”

Megan laughs on the other line. “No, I’m completely serious. Like I said, I know this isn’t typical.”

It takes everything in me not to scream yes or sayI'dpay to work forthem—that’s how bad I want this opportunity. Plus, there’s the whole mask of professionalism one is expected to wear.

“The catch is, we need you to start as soon as possible, like tomorrow. Saturday.”

“Tomorrow? Wow.”

“If you can swing it, we’re happy to include a signing bonus for the quick pivot.”

I take a slow breath, acting like I'm mulling it over, but I knew I was going to say yes as soon as the question was asked. I’d even do it without the signing bonus, but that’s a significant perk. My position was eliminated at my previous job five months ago, but what they meant was they were going to keep hiring interns every six months and not pay anyone what they’re worth for the work. The hours were crippling, and the pay was abysmal, but it was consistent and helped me stay afloat.

“Can you send a formal offer to review, including the signing bonus?” I asked as casually as possible.

“Absolutely. Clicking send now. Call if you have questions, but we’d love an answer as soon as possible.”

After ending the call, I open my laptop, refresh my email inbox, and watch as the offer comes in. I click the attachment, my fingers trembling above the track pad as I read through the offer I know I’m going to agree to.

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