He’s behind his desk, sleeves rolled up. It’s polka dots today, and he’s already had one family call. Maybe not the best timing, but if I don’t act now, I’m going to lose my nerve.
I hold up the file like a shield. “Hey, Garrett! Quick question about the Harvest Gala client mockup. I wanted to make sure you were good with the seniority order on the programs before I send to production.”
He looks up, his smile flickering to life. “Yeah, sure. Let’s see.”
I step closer, flip open the file. He reads the first three lines, double-checking the titles. “Yep. Everything looks correct to me.”
I wait for a verbal pat on the head, but when it doesn’t come, I close the folder and step back. “Perfect. Thanks.” He nods and is about to round the desk when I say, “So your friend who came to pickleball the other night, how do you know each other?”
His brows lift. “Calder? Uh, through pickleball actually. Why?”
“Oh, he just mentioned he’s an instructor. I was thinking I’d start some lessons. Try to get past this beginner stage.”
Garrett leans back in his chair with a look of shock. “You’re a beginner?”
I scoff. “Yes, but thanks for that.”
“I’m serious, you don’t seem like a beginner.”
I resist the urge to flip my hair.
Garrett picks up a pen, ticking it between his fingers. “I don’t think Calder’s cheap.”
“Hm. Bummer. If only I got paid more at my job.”
Garrett laughs. “Wow. Low blow.”
“I mean, you’re the one who assumed I was poor.”
An amused half smile tugs at his mouth. “Let’s just say, I’m not sure he’d be the best teacher.”
“Oh yeah?” Was that a hint of jealousy I was picking up on?
“He knows his stuff, but he’s not the most encouraging.”
Something flares inside me at that comment, but I tamp it down. Garrett wasn’t saying anything that wasn’t true. So why did it suddenly feel like I needed to defend Calder’s honor?
I cock my head to the side. “You think I need encouragement?”
Garrett’s expression shifts. His chin lifts, his eyes sharpen. “I could drill with you. If you want.”
“I don’t know if I could afford that.”
He smirks and lifts his hand. For a moment, I think he’s going to run it through his hair. He doesn’t. Instead, he reaches for his phone and swipes. “Monday. After work. I was planning to play at seven, but we could drill at six if you want.”
I pretend to check my calendar even though anything I find that conflicts with six o’clock on Monday is instantly getting deleted. “I think that should work. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
I force myself to walk slowly out of the office even though I feel like I just hit a star in Mario Kart. Garrett can see through the glass into my space. I have to pretend nothing of any importance just happened for the nextfive hourseven though my entire world tilted on its axis.
Garrett invited me to drill. Alone with him.
I sit at my desk and look very seriously at my computer for a few seconds before frowning a little and pulling out myphone. If he was tracking my body language, Garrett would see “concerned client communications” and nothing else. I text Sam.
Calder’s advice worked!!! Booked for a drill sesh with Garrett on Monday.
Sam
