“Uhh …” I stall for time. “Wow. We have, uh, very different passions.”
“Tell me more about what makes you passionate.” She angles her body closer to me. “I’d love to hear what gets you hot and bothered.”
Well, right now I’m sweating, and I’m most definitely bothered by this conversation, but I hardly think that’s what she means.
“What did you say your name was?” I ask.
“Marissa.” She holds out her hand, knuckles up, as if waiting for me to kiss her fingers. I stare at them, not knowing how to get out of this situation without coming across as a jerk.
Most of the women who’ve come through the line have been nice—a little giggly for my taste—but mostly just here for a chance to meet me and say hi. Not one of them has known about my fear of zebras.
I’m trying not to be disappointed that the mystery woman didn’t show. It was a long shot … basically a shot in the dark. My Cinderella straight-up said she wasn’t looking for anything beyond one night. Even if she changed her tune and bid on me, I wouldn’t be surprised if time and distance made her remember herself and her mission.
I can’t help but wonder if she saw my touchdown celebration. Both last week and today, I had Poe help me with a little Cinderella glass slipper reenactment. I owe him two steak dinners for going along with it, but it’s worth it. I wanted to do something special for her, even if I never see her again.
The thought has my shoulders slumping slightly.
Marissa is staring at me, and she holds her chipmunk up next to her cheek and starts talking in a baby voice. “Tell me, my fair prince,” she squeaks out. “What’s your favorite animal? My lady here can get one custom-made as a token of her affection.”
I laugh nervously and finally,mercifully, catch Ned’s eye, bobbing my chin at Marissa in ahelp meway.
“That won’t be necessary,” I tell her. “Did you want to answer the question—what I’m scared of?”
“Of course.” Marissa sits up straighter. “You’re terrified of ending up alone. Lucky for you, if you end up with me, you’ll not only have my love, admiration, and everlasting presence in your life, but also the presence of all my animal friends.”
Ned skids to a stop next to her chair, saving me from having to formulate a response. The thought of being in the presence ofMarissa’s animal friends has rendered me momentarily speechless and, not gonna lie, a little creeped out.
“Okay. That’ll do, Marissa. What are you doing here?” Ned asks.
“Shooting my shot, obviously.”
Ned shakes his head and motions for her to get up. “We have lots of other women to get through, so since you are not TJ’s Cinderella, I’m going to ask you to move it along.”
Marissa doesn’t put up a fight. I give her credit for that.
“Bye, TJ,” she says in her chipmunk voice. “It’s a shame we can’t be lovers.”
Ned makes wide, horrified eyes at me over the top of her head and mouthsI’m sorryas he ushers her away.
I take the opportunity to check my phone while Ned’s tied up. I’ve got a bunch of texts from friends, congratulating me on a good game, but I hardly notice them. My focus is completely taken up by an email from Sarah Stewart.
Dear TJ,
Great game today! We love watching you play. It’s that time of year again, and I know you’re busy with football and you haven’t felt comfortable joining us in the past, but Roy and I wanted to extend an invite to you to attend Tess’s benefit dinner. No pressure, but just know you’re always welcome around our family. We’d love to see you. If you have someone special in your life, you’re more than welcome to bring her. Maybe that’s weird for me to say as Tess’s mom, but I truly believe Tess would want you to live your life and find happiness. Come if you can! Hope to see you.
Love,
Sarah
I blink and let out a long, slow breath. My chest constricts at the thought of Tess and her sweet parents. They’ve been trying to get me to come to her benefit dinner for years, but I can’t bringmyself to. Guilt gnaws at my gut, and I take a sip of my electrolyte drink.
My fingers tremble as I tap out of the email, marking it as unread so I don’t forget to reply later. As if I could forget. I haven’t forgotten Tess. She’s the reason I don’t do relationships, even if her mom says she’d be cool with it. I know Tess would want me to be happy. But I don’t know that I’d survive a loss like hers again. It’s a sobering reminder as to why, even if I found my Cinderella, I would never let anything happen between us. No matter how much she intrigued me.
I run a hand over my face. What am I even doing here? This is a nonstarter.
Ned returns to my side after disposing of Marissa. “I amsosorry. I promise I won’t let any more taxidermy enthusiasts through.”
“How can you make that promise, Neddy?” I goad him, defaulting to humor to ease the tightness in my chest. “There could be an army of taxidermy queens just waiting to meet me.”
