“Who would get the money though?”
“I didn’t think about that. Maybe they can split the proceeds?”
“Is there a common vet clinic they all use?”
“Why don’t you just spin it and create one umbrella foundation and then the different rescues or clinics can apply for grants as needed?” This is from Fields, jumping into mine and Miller’s brainstorming.
“How do you mean?” I furrow my brow.
“Well, obviously the humane society has external funding already, so they likely don’t need as much. Maybe they get the adoption fees from the specific animals they bring who are adopted, but the donations otherwise collected at the event go into a pot for your foundation.” Fields is always thinking, always a step ahead.
“Then the smaller guys that need support have somewhere they can go to ask for help. Maybe they need a stipend for food one month or need to relocate a litter or are trying to host their own adoption event,” Miller finishes for him, thinking out loud.
“They come to me, and we act as the overall sponsor.” I consider what they’re offering. It’s a great idea. “I like it. Widespread impact and investment in the community as a whole instead of picking one organization.”
“Could be a way to put on more events too.”
“Maybe at the stadium.” There has to be a way to tie this back to the team. That’s the whole point, right?
“Oh, I’ve got it. ‘Bark at the Park.’” Miller lets out a ruff.
“I may regret saying this, but that’s a genius idea.”
Miller dusts off his shoulder. “I know. Don’t know why y’all insist on pretending I’m not smart.”
“So how do we make this happen?” Now that we have an idea, I’m eager to get started.
Fields swallows his drink and says, “Taylor Baker. That woman can organize anything.”
“But she doesn’t even work for the Troubadours, right?”
“Try telling her that.” Miller sniggers.
“She’s still in town. Call a meeting and tell them you’ve decided what you want to do. She’ll take it from there.” Fields wipes his hands and tosses his napkin onto his plate.
“You’re sure?” It feels weird to throw out my idea and then let someone else execute the plan.
“Definitely. She lives for this kind of thing. You won’t be able to do all the administrative pieces of it anyways with our schedule.” Fields isn’t wrong. We’re in town for two more days then we’re on the road again. The season is nonstop. I’ve never had to juggle so much during a baseball season before, and I just added Bree to the mix. Hopefully we can make it work until the season is over. I don’t want to lose us before we even have a chance to see what we could be together.
After being up most of the night into the wee hours of the morning exploring each other’s bodies, I’m surprised when I step into Chase’s living room on Saturday morning and see him in the kitchen with a mound of food on the kitchen counter.
“Morning, Princess,” he says without looking up from where he’s chopping vegetables.
“You already told me good morning.” He woke me up with his head between my legs a couple hours ago before flipping me over and pounding me into the mattress. I fell back asleep not long after and am only now feeling like I can tackle the day.
He looks up at me with a predatory smirk, looking sinful as ever in gray sweatpants and no shirt. “I know.”
Crossing the room, I place a soft kiss to his bare shoulder and ask, “What is going on in here?”
He turns so he’s leaning against the counter and pulls me into his chest with his hands on my lower back. “Thought it might be nice for us to have a date.”
“A date?” My hands roam over his biceps until they’re looped behind his neck. “What would we do on this date?” Smiling up at him, I hope I’m maintaining my composure because inside I’m kicking my feet at my crush wanting to take me on a date.
“Well, since you won’t let me take you out on the town and show you off, I thought we could have our datehere.”
“Aren’t you just Mr. Romantic?” I kiss the corner of his mouth.
“For you.” Closing the distance, he feverishly claims my lips until a knock at the door interrupts what was sure to be another round of mind-blowing sex. It keeps getting better and better every time.
