Page 25 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

“What?” My mouth drops open, and my heart hammers against my chest. “No. No! I took this job because it’s a real opportunity for me. I didn’t even consider that the David James I’d be working with was the same person. I mean the last time I saw David…”

Memories of that last day flip through my mind like an old movie. Watching him walk up the stairs to his house, standing in front of my door. My heart was bursting and breaking.

“That was a long time ago,” I say dismissively, shaking my head. “Those versions of us no longer exist.”

“Logan would probably say otherwise.” Hope leans her elbows on the desk and rests her chin on her hand. A dreamy expression taking over her face. “And I’m not so sure I would say that exactly. The two of you are definitely giving off vibes.”

“Yeah the 'I know you' vibes, not the 'I love you' vibes.” My phone buzzes and I glance down to see David’s name. My heart leaps to my throat, and I swallow hard before remembering it’s probably just Finn’s number.

“That’s him, isn’t it?” Hope sits up straighter, trying to get a better look, her face glowing like she just caught Santa coming down the chimney before clapping her hands excitedly. “This is your second chance!”

“Stop it. He’s just sending me his agent’s number,” I say, scribbling on the paper in front of me, trying to act busy. “I want to talk to Finn about David’s history.”

“Gathering intel. That makes sense.” Hope smirks and I can’t help but laugh at the fun she’s having with me and the current situation.

“I thought it appropriate considering his social media is part of my job.” My brief conversation about David and why he’s been inconsistent, okay, non-existent, when it comes to his profile grips my chest. “It’s important for me to help him understand the importance of what the organization wants to do while at the same time finding a way to address any concerns when it comes to his Scarlett.”

“Uh–Uh-huh.” Hope smirks again as she starts to spread the designs on my desk. Finally, we can get off this topic. “And more opportunity forTea Timeto get some compromising photographs.”

“What are you talking about? There’s not going to be any compromising photographs,” I scoff, and turn my focus back to the designs in front of me.

“Yet.” She winks, and I groan.

“Ever,” I counter, and Hope chuckles.

Even as the words fall from my mouth, I know I’m lying to myself. From the first moment I laid eyes on David, I was interested. And I can’t help but wonder if he feels that same tug.

What if this is fate giving us a second chance? What if Aunt Dottie’s will is presenting me with an opportunity? And not just the opportunity to pay off my father’s debt.

But the opportunity to find love.

I huff out a laugh and shake my head.

Stop it, Catherine Bailey. A marriage of convenience that turns into a second chance and insta-family are only tropes for romance novels. This is real life.

“So tell me about these designs,” I say, shutting down that line of thought. When I’m met with silence, I glance up to find Hope’s eyes sparkling. “What?”

“Nothing.” She’s still smirking, a mischievous glint in her eyes. For a second, I wonder how much of my thoughts are written on my face, but thankfully, instead of pushing, she follows my lead and focuses on why she’s in my office. Work. “The designers gave us so many good ideas, and after checking them all out, I love this one for the Bark In The Park and this one for the Thyroid Awareness Event.”

Pulling the artwork in front of me, I look both over with a critical eye. The colors are warm and inviting for both while complementing the blue and orange of the Smokies team colors. The rescue graphics work wonderfully, and the stars for the thyroid awareness event are perfect. Smiling, I glance up at Hope. “I like them too.”

“Great. Do you want me to start on the marketing materials, or do you need to let Travis look them over?”

“Definitely want Travis’s approval first,” I say, grabbing my phone and opening David’s text. It is Finn’s number. “Would you mind sending them to him and cc’ing me on the email?”

“Not at all,” Hope says, as she walks to the door. “I’ll just close this for you so you can talk about David in private.”

Her laughter fills my office as the door softly closes behind her.

Just as I’m dialing Finn’s number, there’s a knock on my door. “Come in?”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Hope walks toward me with a cheeky grin. “This was sitting on my desk for you.”

Handing me the envelope, I see Tony’s name and address in the corner. My heart sinks. I didn’t forget about Aunt Dottie’s will or stipulation, but just like everything else in my life, I’ve gotten good at putting things I don’t want to deal with on the back burner.

“Thank you, Hope.” The ache in my heart I felt this morning returns, and I’m unable to keep it from my voice.

I can feel the weight of her gaze as it lingers on me. “Are you okay?”

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