Page 123 of Pucking Tangled
When she stepped inside the Administration building, the Dean’s secretary, Barb, greeted her like they were expecting her.
Good.
“Hi Barb. Is Dean Holcomb in?”
“She is.” Barb picked up the phone and buzzed her office. “Yes, it’s Mia Abbott. Of course.”
She sat the phone down and nodded to Mia. “You can go in.”
“Mia,” Dean Holcomb said in welcome from behind a reddish-brown cherry wood that looked like it was hand crafted. “Please, have a seat.” She gestured toward the oversized leather chair across from her. “I’m really glad you came in.”
Mia sat, taking in the woman sitting across from her and trying to interpret the amused expression on her face. “I figured I should speak with you before anyone else tries to tell a version of the story that isn’t true.”
“That’s wise.” The Dean smiled. “But for what it’s worth, I saw your statement, Mia. I think it spoke volumes compared to the gossip.”
“Really?” Mia’s eyes widened.
“Restraint shows strength. Especially when chaos is loud.”
“I don’t want to be a distraction, or draw bad press to the university. We were content keeping our relationship private, but someone else had other ideas.”
“You’re not a distraction. The university has weathered way worse.” She paused, picking up a pen and tapping it on her desk. “You’re a student with a life. With choices about how you live that life. If you’re worried about the noise—don’t be.”
“I wasn’t sure how the university would feel about the situation, especially with theallegedsource saying that the university didn’t condone or approve.”
“Those sources don’t reflect anyone here. Mia, your academics are solid. All of the recommendations from your professors are glowing,andI’ve already received a call from the Barn Raisers’ PR director regarding your internship.”
Mia blew out a breath and laughed nervously. “They didn’t waste any time, did they?”
“Professional organizations don’t make offers lightly,” Dean Holcomb said. “And when they do? We support our students who earn them.”
The tension in Mia’s chest unraveled just a little.
“Now,” she continued, her eyes turning sharper now. “This field is demanding. If you accept, you’ll be under constant scrutiny. There will be questions you aren’t ready to answer. Are you prepared for that?”
Mia met her gaze. “I’m not sure anyone’s everready. But I want to try.”
A small smile tugged at the Dean’s lips. “Then we’ll support you however we can.”
They stood and as Mia turned to go, Dean Holcomb added, “You didn’t make it this far because of who you’re dating, Mia. You’re here because you belong. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
She nodded, throat thick with emotion. “Thank you.”
Later that night,Mia sat on the sofa staring at the email from the Barn Raisers on her phone.
From:Vanessa Reilly, Head of Public Relations
Subject:Internship Offer – Fall Term
It wasn’t a dream.
This was real.
Everything from the header to the attached PDF file with her name on it —Mia Abbott— and the title:Internship Program Descriptions and Options.It was paid. Structured. A legitimate opportunity to get her foot in the door when until now she’d been struggling to be accepted to any other internship program because of the competitive nature.
They weren’t only tolerating her existence in their players’ lives. They wanted to bring herin.
She still felt shaky.
