Page 37 of Blue Line

“Of course. If you need me to run out and get anything else, I will.”

“Thanks. I think I’m good. And if I’m not, I can just go get it. I do have a car now.”

I step closer to her, and I tell myself it’s so I can unpack the groceries, but honestly, I want to be near her.

“I know. But who wants to go out when they don’t feel good?”

“I appreciate it. Let me know how much I owe you. For dinner too,” she rushes out.

“Nothing.”

“Weston Gabriel.”

I chuckle. I should tell her my middle name. It seems only fair. But I kind of like this game, and I enjoy seeing her riled up because I know hers and she doesn’t know mine.

“Not my middle name. But good try, Hadley Jane.”

“Fine. But next time, I’ll buy dinner.”

“With my credit card,” I say, putting the ice cream in the freezer. “Otherwise, no, you won’t.” She crosses her arms but doesn’t respond. “Chocolate in the fridge?” I hold up the three bars I grabbed at the store. Did I go overboard? Maybe. But who cares. Chocolate is good for the soul. Especially when you don’t feel well.

“Yes. Room temperature chocolate is gross.” She shudders.

A woman after my own heart.

I unpack the rest of the groceries. I grabbed a few other necessities so I don’t have to put in a grocery order for a few more days. Once everything is put away, we take the pizza to the kitchen table and start eating.

After I’ve eaten a slice, I clear my throat, wiping my hands on a napkin.

“My agent called when I was on my way home from Publix. He wants to meet with us tomorrow at two thirty. Does that work for you?”

“That’s fine. What should I wear?”

“Whatever you want. It’s nothing formal. He just wants to talk about these offers and meet you. Make sure you wear your ring.” I noticed she didn’t have it on when I came home earlier.

“Okay.”

“I’ll probably go work out in the morning. Nothing too long, though, since we need to leave here by two.”

“I’ll be ready.”

I take another slice of pizza out of the box and set it on my plate. “Sutton cornered me at the arena …”

“Oh?”

I fiddle with my napkin before relaying what Sutton asked earlier. “So, what do you think?”

She tilts her head, studying me. “Seems silly that anyone would care, but if it’s going to help you and the team.” She shrugs. “I’m game.”

“Okay. I’ll let her know.”

Mentally, I’m jumping up and down because this means I get to take her out on a date. Yes, it’s for PR, and it’s fake, but I still get to spend time with her. I need to make this date so amazing that she agrees to go out with me again, when it isn’t for social media content.

We finish eating our dinner in silence, comfortable silence though, as if we’ve been together for a while. Nothing with Hadley so far has felt awkward. It’s as if we were always meant to be. If only she felt that way too, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get there.

“Ready to watch a movie?”

“Just about.”