Gracie’s already pulling out her phone, her fingers lightning fast. “Knox Knightly. Okay, let’s see…”
“No, Gracie, don’t.” My stomach knots instantly.
Too late.
Gracie’s eyes widen as she scrolls. “Oh. Oh wow.”
Maya leans in, peering over her shoulder. “Ohdamn. Hello abs. Yep, there’s the game day glare. What’s the damage?”
Gracie doesn’t look up. “Article from five years ago, bar fight. DUI rumors. Another about him being ‘uncoachable.’ And… wait. Oh.”
My throat goes dry. “Whatnow?”
She turns the screen toward me. “He used to date that influencer model, Savannah Monroe? Does that name mean anything?”
I blink. “Nah, I don’t really know anything about influencers.”
Gracie’s voice is gentle. “Josie, she gave an interview. Said he was ‘controlling,’ ‘unfaithful,’ ‘dangerous when drinking.’ And there’s a video. Paparazzi footage. He’s yelling in the street, looks... unhinged.”
My heart twists so hard I can’t breathe. “He said he doesn’t drink anymore.”
“Peoplesaya lot of things,” Maya says carefully. “I’m not saying he’s lying. But babe, that’s heavy.”
I stare down at my wineglass, the warm buzz fading fast. Suddenly, it tastes bitter. “It was five years ago, right? People can change.”
“Sure,” Maya agrees. “But you do need to be careful. Do you see any of that in him?”
“I guess he can be a little hard to read at times,” I admit. “A little possessive, perhaps? I don’t know.”
They both stare at me.
“Have I been an idiot?”
“Hey.” Maya’s voice cuts in, firm but kind. “No way. You’re not an idiot. You might need to figure out a bit more who he is.”
Gracie nods, eyes wide with concern. “And also, if he’s been famous, then people are going to be interested in him. People might become seriously interested in you, too.”
I shut my eyes, trying to hold back the flood rising in my chest. “Yeah, I don’t like that idea. I don’t want to be the center of attention.”
Maya slides closer, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “There’s no guarantee this will happen, but youdoneed to figure out if you want to be mixed up with him.”
A tear slips down my cheek as I laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. Idolike him, but I don’t know if this town is a place someone like him will want forever. I’m sure he has plans to move on eventually. I don’t want to end up heartbroken.”
“Then maybe you need to pull back until you know for sure that he’s going to stick around?” Maya says. “I don’t want to see you get your heart broken.”
Gracie reaches over and gently places her hand over mine, her brows pulled together in worry. “This makes me more worried about you, Josie. You were never like this in Chicago.”
That’s because I didn’t care enough about anyone in Chicago.
I nod, chewing on my bottom lip. “Yeah. I think I’m just scared. Not because of the job or gossip or whatever. But because I don’t know what this is to him. He doesn’t talk about feelings, not really. And if he usually dates women likethat,” I gesture vaguely toward Gracie’s phone, “then maybe I’m only a blip. A fling. Someone he’ll forget about once the novelty wears off.”
Maya doesn’t let go of my hand. “Then draw your line, babe. You don’t have to figure everything out right now, but youcanprotect yourself. If this doesn’t feel solid, you step back until it does.”
Gracie agrees, “And just because it’s complicated doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. You followed your heart. That’s not stupid. It’s brave.”
I take a shaky breath, their words circling around me like a life raft.
“I think I need to pull back,” I say finally. “Not because I regret it, but because Icannotdeal with a heartbreak right now. Not from my boss.”
