Page 128 of Just One Season
“So what’s your question, Daddy?”
“You know Lucy?”
“Coach Lucy! I love her! And Mister Barky McBarkface. He’s my favorite dog ever.”
“I know, sweetie.” Ava only tells me every other day how much she loves Lucy’s dog. Makes it hard to get that woman out of my mind.
“Can we dog-sit him again? I miss him sooo much.”
“Maybe, I don’t know. But listen.” I open up the fruit snacks while Ava shoves the cookie into her mouth. “What would you think about me asking her if she’d go on a date with me?”
“A date?” Ava grabs the pack of fruit snacks and two fly onto the floor. “With Coach Lucy?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought you already did that.” She pops a strawberry shape into her mouth.
My breath catches in my throat. “Well, not really.”
“Oh.” Ava chews thoughtfully.
“Are you going to pick up what spilled?” I point under her chair.
“If we had a doggy, like Mister Barky McBarkface, he’d just eat them instead.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“My question, Ava?”
“Sure. But if you go out with Coach Lucy, can you get chicken nuggets and bring me home some?”
I nod solemnly.
“And can I pet her doggy?”
I nod again.
“Okay.” Ava shoves the entire chocolate chip M&M cookie into her mouth, leaving the apple in front of her untouched.
There’s only one more thing to do.
I pull out my phone and scroll to the Kellcy Fake Dating Planning Committee text chain.
CHAPTER 37
When It Rains
LUCY
Wednesday, January 15
I’m about to leave Atticus’s apartment for work and stop in the kitchen to fill up my travel mug with hot coffee from my brother’s carafe. It’s going to be a busy day. We have a press briefing in the afternoon to announce a new sponsor, and I need to follow up with a list of publications we’re working with to schedule features on Blizzard players.
And I got a request for a call with Winchester FC for nine thirty this morning.
All sorts of feelings swirl around inside me. I’m excited to hear what they thought of my interview. The job is perfect for me. The next step up in my marketing and PR career, in a foreign country, and no nepotism involved.
Most of the feelings are good.
