Page 254 of Scoring the Player
“You sure?” he asks.
I nod. “Hell yeah.”
“Awesome,” Kim says. “I’m sorry in advance for my husband…or really all my friends. We live in kitchens all day and rarely get out.”
That makes us laugh.
“Hey,” she says to him. “You have that glint and hunger that I see in masters of our craft. Whatever you plan to do with it, I think you’ll do well.”
I pat his back as he beams and thanks her again.
That’s right, so that Beard guy better get ready for the rise of Baker Bae.
“Thank you,”he says, enveloping me in his arms from behind and squeezing me as we make our way to the car. “I can’t believe any of that just happened.”
I grin. “I just wanted my boyfriend back.”
That’s partially the reason. He had been coming to bed late and was back in the kitchen when I woke up. The other reason is that I knew he still doubted whether he had—what everyonewho’s tried his pastries knows—enough talent and drive to succeed with his own awarded bakery one day.
“She’s dope, isn’t she?” he asks.
“Yeah. She’s a nerd like you.”
He grins. “Hey, we really can do our own thing this summer. Sorry if I put you on the spot.”
“Baby, it’s only two weeks. Not to mention, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m down to chill in Japan and Mexico City. We’ll do our own thing after. Maybe Denzel and Anaïs can join us.”
“Yeah.” He beams. “That would be great.”
He unlocks the car, and we climb in.
“What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“You definitely plan better dates than I do.”
I laugh. “Not that. I meant the bakery with your dad. Is it happening when you retire in a couple of years?”
“I want it, but the hours might be long, and I don’t know anything about running a business.”
“The second part isn’t true. You run your brand, and just like you have Cat to help you, you will learn and can hire help.”
“True.”
“No bullshit. Sometimes I think you love baking and cooking more than you love ball. I know you love ballin’, but it doesn’t feel like it hits the same.”
“You’ve noticed that?” he asks quietly.
“Mmhm. And nothing’s wrong with that. It’s amazing that you have something else, you know? Something that’s all yours and can’t be taken away by trades, injuries, and contract expirations.”
“You’re right. What about you and music?”
I reach for my seatbelt. “That’s different.”
“How?” he asks.
“Music for me is like journaling. It helps me express the things I can’t get out any other way. I don’t want any part of what comes with making it public. I just want a chill life with you after I retire. No more cameras.”
He nods, reaching for my hand and kissing it. “I get that.”
