Page 7 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

Maybe I can talk to someone and see what other options I have. I want to help the team with this, but honestly, I’m better on the field. I grip my neck and huff out a breath when I slam into something.

“Oh, I’m—” A female voice says at the same time I start to apologize, “I’m so—”

When I glance down, surprised blue eyes gaze up at me. “Cat?” A slow grin creeps along my face at this unexpected encounter. “What are you doing here?”

“David,” she says, slightly breathless. “I didn’t expect to run into you again so soon. Or so literally.”

“Are you here to use your dog wrangling skills on baseball players?” My stomach tightens at the words that just flew out of my mouth. A reminder that Scarlett gets her lack of filter from her father. Cat’s eyes widen before she covers a laugh behind a cough. I clear my throat, heat crawling up my neck. “Ummm…what I meant to say is, do you need help?”

“Ahhh. Yes. That definitely makes more sense.” She chuckles, eyes dancing. “Your timing is impeccable. I do need help. Your coordination, however, is questionable.”

“Sorry. It’s been a crazy morning.”

“James!” Logan Miles, the team catcher, slaps the door frame. I turn to find him checking Cat out, and my hand balls into a fist. He gives her one of his signature smiles that gets all the ladies swooning. Heck, who am I kidding? That boy could give romcom movie star Sean O’Connell a run for his money. He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “Get your butt in here, Coach is ready to start.”

“I’ll be there in a second.” He beams once more at Cat before he heads through the locker room door. Cat is looking around the clubhouse tunnels like she’s trying to find a sign that might tell her where she is. “Why don’t you tell me where you need to go, and I can point you in the right direction.”

“I need to find the marketing department in the front office,” she says, chewing her lip as she looks at her watch.

“Oh. Sure. That’s easy. Do you see the elevator?” I ask, pointing down the hall. She’s looking toward the end of the tunnel, past where it is. Without thinking, I move closer and put my hand over her shoulder to give her a direct path to the location of the elevator. “There. On your right.”

A sweet floral scent overwhelms my senses, and my gut tightens.

“Yes. Thank—” She turns toward me but stops when our faces are inches apart. I hear her breath catch, and my pulse races.

“Just take that to the fourth floor and it will bring you to the front office.” Her eyes are wide and her lips are slightly parted. Taking a step closer to the locker room door, I put some space between us. Confusion tears through me at the feelings she’s reawakening. “Once there, you’ll find the reception desk. They’ll point you in the right direction.”

“Perfect.” She smiles, making my knees weaken. “Thank you.”

The clicking of her shoes echoes through the tunnels as I watch her walk away. When she glances over her shoulder, I feel like I’m in middle school again, caught staring.

“Try not to run into anyone else today, okay?”

A slow grin creeps up my face, and I salute her. “I’ll do my best, but no guarantees. See you around, Cat Bailey.”

Without looking back, I head into the locker room, even more perplexed than when I first got to the stadium.

Chapter Four

Cat

Lookingatmyreflectionin the elevator doors, I run a hand over my hair and pull down my suit jacket. I can’t help but notice how my eyes sparkle or the flush in my cheeks.

Running into David James twice in twenty-four hours was an unexpected surprise. But how is he going to feel when he finds out he’s one of my main projects?

The reason I was hired for this position, besides getting a glowing recommendation from my former boss, is because I alone am responsible for doubling my previous company’s clients through social media and public events.

The Smokies organization is looking to tweak their brand when it comes to their fan experience, and they think I’m the person to do it. There’s no question that I am the person. But my history with David has me feeling like I’m twelve again.

The elevator dings as it reaches the correct floor. Taking a calming breath, I put on a smile. This is the job of a lifetime for me, and I’m beyond excited. I want to make sure I convey that.The doors open to a gorgeous blonde woman with warm brown eyes beaming at me.

“Catherine Bailey?”

“That’s me.” I step off the elevator, reaching out for the hand she’s extending.

“I’m Hope Savage, your assistant.” When my brow furrows, she guesses the question floating through my head before I ask it. “Logan mentioned you were coming from the Clubhouse. I figured I’d come to meet you and bring you directly to your office. I want to make sure you have a couple of minutes to settle in before your meeting.”

“Logan?” The elevator door shuts as she signals for me to follow her down the hall.

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