Page 77 of Worth the Risk

“Bye, ladies!” Spencer calls out.

April and I approach the register, and I let her arm go and look straight at her. “Explain.”

“He’s an asshole. I met him once when my uncle had a BBQ, and he was at my cousin Drew’s wedding. Every time he talks, I want to bang my head against a wall. He just constantly brags about his success.” She pretends to gag.

“Well, he’s nice enough to me.”

“Lucky you.”

I shake my head and focus on our turn at the register.

A few minutes later, we’re back outside and ready to load my car, but I stop when I notice the for sale sign on the empty store for the second time today, a reminder of my crazy thought.

April looks in the direction of my sight. “You’re really considering it, aren’t you?”

I smile and shrug it off shyly. “Nah, it’s crazy.”

“Is it, though? Your living room became your warehouse, so I guess if you were looking to move away from the city then this is a sign.”

“Real estate isn’t that cheap here.”

April’s eyes grow big. “You have some money saved, a growing business, a rich grandmother, and an even richer boyfriend. You’re good.”

I laugh at her absurdity and get into the car. Yet the image of the for sale sign doesn’t leave my mind on the way to the house.

* * *

Sittingon the edge of the bed, I hold my phone up as Hudson graces the screen.

“You’re lying in bed, aren’t you?” I flash my eyes at him.

“I am. I’m a little beat.”

My lips quirk. “You’ll get a good night of sleep and alienate those Cougars tomorrow.”

“Would be a better night of sleep if you were here.”

“Ah, don’t go soft on me, Coach.” I lean back on the bed, and to tease him, move my shirt slightly off my shoulder. “Besides, I need to behave because your plan worked and now April and I are having a night in with snacks and movies.”

Hudson smiles proudly. “I’m a smart man.”

“You’re annoying,” I joke. “You make things happen.”

“I do have talents,” he quips. “So, about that video. Smith’s wife apologized and also asked the engagements coordinator for your number to send an apology. She didn’t realize her error. But really, it’s no big deal, right? I mean, now we don’t have to spend ten minutes trying to figure out if our coffee mugs have the right light for a photo.”

I laugh. “True that. It’s not a big deal. I mean, we knew it was coming, she just put us a little ahead of schedule.” We were going to post something after the next home game.

“I got questioned during press rounds this afternoon, so you may want to watch that.”

“Ooh, now I’m curious.”

He throws an arm behind his head. “You’ll be at the next home game, right?”

“Oh.” I bite my bottom lip because I feel a pool of doubt in my belly. Fears resurface of people’s opinions and uncertainty over whether I’m moving too fast. “I’m not completely sure,” I admit. The comments I saw on the latest article seemed to emphasize that I’m a trophy. Never mind the fact that I run a successful business, I’m now a glorified doll.

“What do you mean?” I hear disappointment in his voice.

“It’s a lot of press, and I’m not entirely sure I feel up to it energy-wise.”

---