Page 58 of Fortune's Control
Emma leaned in to whisper. “Honey, I’m not sure you’re still eligible. Check on that.”
Unsure of how to respond, I kept going. “I should call my mother. Sarah Jane will want to know I’m married.”
“Sarah Jane won’t care, Lilah. She’ll tell you to sign an insurance policy and then-” Emma moved a finger across her neck. “Don’t call her. You’ll be miserable afterwards, and you know it.”
“She’ll want to know.” Sarah Jane would thank me for avoiding a wedding, congratulate me, and then ask if I was pregnant. “I’ll put it off a little longer.”
“Good. Now let’s watch the game.”
Sophie and Lainey returned with iced tea and popcorn a short while later.
“What did we miss?” Sophie asked.
“Jack is in the dugout,” Emma said, not bothering with a preamble.
*****
“I enjoyed that more than I would have guessed,” Emma said. She finished her diet soda with a loud slurp. “It hits different when you know the players and friends explain all the statistics.”
“It’s not over yet,” Lainey said.
Emma pointed to the scoreboard. “Bottom of the sixth. It’s over. Let the other team go home and lick their wounds. Besides, I was promised dinner at the Gator Tale.”
The four of us organized a final girls’ night out before Emma left in the morning.
“Oh, excellent point. When does this cross over from a fair game to painful humiliation?” Lainey asked.
The two debated whether rules existed for calling games early, so I used the time to check in with Sophie. “I saw Sam Taggert earlier today, before the game.”
She stared forward, not meeting my eye. “Oh, yes? How is he doing?” Her innocent question came out in an innocent, neutral voice.
I drew my brows in, confused. “You sound like that’s a conspiracy. He said you two planned grant applications, so I’m volunteering my services. I’m an accountant who spent most of her career with non-profits. I want to help.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, yes. Aiden’s business gave me the idea, and I spoke to him about a few older buildings in town. There’s a restoration program we want to apply for. It involves a lot of forms.” Her nose wrinkled. “I’d rather get on with the work, but we never get to do that.”
My stomach dropped. “Forms? I am in.”
“Are you joking?”
Remembering Shane’s reaction, I considered my response. “It is my background.”
“Let’s talk tomorrow, after Emma goes home.I’ll go over everything with you.”
*****
Diane dropped a fresh pitcher on the tabletop. “Fantastic game today, all of you. We sent Osprey Cove home empty-handed this year, didn’t we? You’ll have the whole town cheering you on against Panther Springs next. We lost to them last year, so it’s time for some payback.”
Shane shot Aiden a look. “I’m hopeful for better results.”
“I may have been a horrible team captain, but signing you up without your permission was inspired. Admit it.”
“I admit nothing,” Shane grumbled.
More townsfolk wandered in, including a few players and a couple enjoying their date night.
I sipped the cold beer and offered little to the conversation. Contentment filled me, not just for the game or the evening, but for everything. Emma sat on my right side, and Shane on my left. I made two more friends and might have found a job, or at least some way to contribute.
Was this what belonging felt like?
