Adam: I searched and there’s only one Cicilia Powell in Philadelphia.Since there was a picture of you in the article, I think it’s safe to say I found you.*Winking emoji*
Cici: It feels like you cheated.
Adam: Hey, if that’s the only way I could see you again, I’d cheat over and over again.
I nibble on my bottom lip, wondering how much of this conversation is because he sincerely likes me and how much could just be a chronic flirt or because of who I am.
I like to pretend my name and status doesn’t matter, but it does.I'm Cicilia Powell.The heiress to the Scott, Powell, and Coleman company.The daughter of the Pit Bulls baseball owner and the sister of the best first basemen in professional baseball.
The Powell name comes with money, power, and attention.It draws people from all over and most of the time it’s not for good reasons.People want to know what they can get out of you and nothing more.
Adam: I know I'm probably not on your level in any way, but I’d really like to see you again, Cici.
Cici: Why would you think you’re not on my level?
Adam: Well, you’re this amazing woman who’s running an entire company that apparently is worth billions of dollars.Your dad owns an entire baseball team and your brother plays professional ball.I'm willing to guess you’re friends with a lot of pros and could have your pick of any of them.
Adam: I’d be dumb to think I really have a shot with you.I'm just a bartender at a small restaurant.I make enough money to support myself, but I’ll never be able to provide you with the things you’re used to.
Cici: Adam…
Adam: Who were you supposed to meet for dinner tonight?
Cici: Ron Covey.
Adam: I rest my case.You could do a lot better than me.Maybe I should just bow out gracefully before I make a fool of myself.
I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to figure out how to respond to Adam.He isn’t wrong in a certain sense.He’ll never be able to provide me with the same sort of life I could provide myself, but I'm not asking him to support me.
I could easily date someone of a higher status than a bartender, but clearly I haven’t done that yet.
Cici: Or maybe you should ask me out to dinner and see what I say.
Adam: Cici, will you go out for dinner with me next week?
Cici: I’d love to go out for dinner with you.What days are you free?
Chapter 12
Covey
OnceBlakeandWeshad a key to my house, I excused myself and ran to the store to get a new phone.Blake said he would lock up and there would be a crew there in the morning to begin cleaning up the mess.He suggested I keep the power off until then.
I thought about calling Wheeler or Leo to see if I could stay with them, but I didn’t feel like packing a bag.It’s not hot enough to need the air conditioning and though the nights are a little chilly, I can throw on an extra blanket.
It took me almost two hours to get a new phone.They had issues with getting the new device to download my information and everything else from my old device.I wanted to scream in annoyance.I just wanted to get home and begin emptying out the rooms that are damaged.
Wes told me not to worry about it.They know I don’t have time to be moving around furniture and emptying rooms, but I feel like a jerk leaving all of that work for his guys.I’ll definitely be giving all of them tickets to games for a while.
By the time my new phone is working and I get home, I'm exhausted.I just want to climb in bed and close my eyes.I'm in the middle of brushing my teeth when two texts come through, one right after the other.
Cici: I'm running late, but I'm on my way.I got stuck in the office longer than I expected.
Cici: Are you still coming?
My eyes widen and my jaw falls open.Toothpaste drips out of my mouth and down my bare chest.
“Are you kidding me?How did I forget?”
