“Silas.” Kent slapped my shoulder. “Some of the girls are asking to meet you. Oh hey, Rachel,” Kent said, furrowing his brow when he noticed her. “Are you covering this for an article?”
“Maybe, but my sister is on the team,” she said, pointing to where Taylor was speaking to Nate.
“That’s great,” he said, probably so happy to get more coverage, he didn’t think to look into the coincidence.
“I better get my Sharpie out,” I said to Rachel. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”
“See you next week,” she said, the same exhausted resolve in her eyes that I’d been fighting with for what seemed like forever at this point.
I’d hoped I’d get used to seeing her enough to lessen the craving to see her again. But all it did was make me want her that much more.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
RACHEL
“Your heels should be higher,”Taylor said as she perched on the edge of my bed, eyeballing the modest black wedge heels I’d picked for tonight.
“Tay, I’d like to be able to walk without killing myself or having to endure unbearable pain.”
I narrowed my eyes at her reflection in my bedroom mirror as I twined a piece of hair around my curling iron.
Yes, I had enough to worry about and keep track of tonight. Whether I’d be able to walk wasn’t something I wanted to add on to my already piling anxiety.
I’d attended client galas before and never minded them, other than the hassle of making sure my sister was taken care of for the night. Since she was sleeping over at a friend’s house, I should have been able to go out worry-free and have a good time without rushing home.
However, anticipating a night with Silas in the general vicinity, in a suit or tux that would cling to his broad chest and massive shoulders, had me so on edge I almost burned my fingertips three times as I tried to get ready.
I unplugged the curling iron and set it carefully on my dresser as I ran my fingers through the curls to loosen them up.I met my smoky eyes in the mirror and sucked in a long breath. My black cocktail dress had some shimmer along the hem and was snug enough to both lift my boobs and taper my waist.
I swiveled around and glanced at my reflection over my shoulder.Not bad.All that extra effort, despite almost singeing off my fingerprints, had been worth it. The dress was sexy but not over the top, good for a work function and to maybe catch the eye of a man I really needed to stop thinking about.
Gayle had been happily surprised when I’d told her about the Bats sponsoring my sister’s team, all excited for more of an inside scoop on the team and how they fostered community in the borough they played in, even though sponsorships were her idea.
If we were seen talking tonight, it wouldn’t put anyone on alert unless we talked to or stared at each other for too long, something that seemed to be a struggle for both of us. We’d been lucky enough to be in busy places where no one was paying attention, but at an event like this, chatting and lingering were more obvious.
I hoped we’d end up on opposite sides of the room, but something told me we’d be sitting with a bunch of the Brooklyn Bats staff, including their gorgeous manager.
I packed my lipstick into my clutch for the night as the doorbell rang.
“Tina’s mom is always on time,” I said, smiling at my sister as I reached down to lift her backpack. “Have a great time, and I’ll pick you up in the morning.” I pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her forehead. She was getting so tall, I barely had to bend anymore.
“Can you text me some pictures?” she asked as she pulled the straps onto her shoulders. “Especially of Becker.”
“You moved on from Silas?” I teased as I walked her to the door. If so, at least one of us had.
“Becker was so nice after the game. And he’s going to look so hot in a suit tonight.”
I couldn’t help but laugh when her head fell back with a deep sigh.
I was sure he would and that I wouldn’t notice because I’d be mesmerized by a different suit. Only I wouldn’t be free to unbutton his dress shirt in his hotel room like the last time.
I had to remind myself it was theone time,not thelasttime. Even the language my brain used for Silas was tempting me toward a repeat that couldn’t happen.
“Hey, Rach,” Tina’s mom, Bonnie, greeted us when we opened the door. “You look great!”
“You’re not used to seeing me out of jeans and leggings. Truthfully, neither am I.”
I turned to kiss Taylor’s temple. “Have a great time tonight. And thank you, Bonnie.”
