MILLER
Not really into balls.
GABBY
Why are you such a child.
MILLER
It’s part of my charm.
GABBY
MILLER
See you in a few days?
GABBY
I’ll be here.
MILLER
Later tater.
ME
Toodle-oo.
Before I can put my phone down, Miller sends me a picture of him and Chase flexing in the mirror. Okay, maybe I do miss him. A little. It’s been two nights, and I already wish he was back.
“Grant, do you have a moment?” His calendar was open, so I took the opportunity to stop in before I could talk myself out of it. I’ve been thinking a lot about Chase’s and my relationship. I need to know that there’s a future possible for us if I were to take the job as general counsel.
“Gabby, please come in.” Grant stands from behind his desk and waves me to the guest chairs in the corner. His office takes up two corners of the building and the glass windows all the way around provide an impressive view of the field on one side and downtown on the other.
“I only have a few minutes before my next meeting, but I always have a moment for you. What brings you by? Are you here to tell me you’ll take the job?”
“I’m still considering it, but there was something I wanted to talk with you about in that regard.” I wave him off when he motions to the drink cart asking if I’d like anything.
Joining me in one of the guest chairs, he asks, “What can I help you with?” Taking a deep breath, I focus on my interlacedhands in my lap for a moment before telling my boss I’m in a secret relationship with the rookie I’m overseeing. For a split second, I debate changing my mind and walking out of here, but then I think of how much I miss Chase when he’s gone and how perfectly he fits into my life and my friend group. Before I give him my heart, more than he already has it, I need to know if it’s possible to have him and my career. That’s important to me. It’s a huge part of who I am. If I had to give one up for the other, I’d be devastated. Now that Grant has cleaned house with Mark and Ricardo, I’m hoping there’s room for an exception.
Steeling my spine, I turn my focus back to Grant who waits patiently with a small smile on his face. “I am interested in taking on the General Counsel position permanently, however, there’s been a change in circumstances, which I feel the need to disclose to you.”
“Go on.” Grant rests his elbow on the edge of the chair regarding me carefully with his hand beneath his chin.
“I’m in a relationship with Chase Bennett. I know I told you it wouldn’t happen again and that I put boundaries in place, but things changed. I’m hoping based on your comment before and the fact that I’ve exceeded expectations in the interim role, that you are still of the mind our relationship has no bearing on my job performance.” I let the words hang in the air between us, maintaining eye contact and clutching my hands in my lap to slow my racing heart.
Finally, Grant puts me out of my misery and says, “I am of that mind. There are exceptions to every rule, Gabrielle. If you take the position, you won’t be working with the players day to day like you are now.”
“Thank you, sir.” That was surprisingly easy. Leave it to me to blow it out of proportion in my mind.
He stands from the chair, buttoning his jacket. “Does this mean you’ll take the job?”
Sliding my hand into his outstretched palm, I confirm whathe’s offering. “Yes, I would be honored to be the next general counsel for the Troubadours.”
“Glad to hear it. Make it official with HR. They’ll have a form for you both to fill out. Maybe wait until after Bennett has fulfilled the terms of his plea arrangement to avoid potential conflicts, yeah?”
“Absolutely.” I smile back at him and move to the door, dismissed now that he’s back behind his desk and the speaker sounds to let him know his next meeting has started. “And Gabrielle?” he calls after me. Turning, I look at him in question. “You can’t help who you fall for. Love is precious. Never take it for granted.”
