“Absolutely. I’m off tomorrow, then I’ll be out of town for four days. I’ll be off again on Sunday, and then we’re in town for another four days, so I could find time then as long as it isn’t during a game.”
“I’ll reach out and see if tomorrow or Sunday would work.”
“Great. Wow, I can’t believe this is happening already. Thank you so much.”
“I’ll send you an invitation via email to confirm the time. Do you have any restrictions on where you’d like the meeting to take place?”
“No, whatever they think is best, I’ll be there.”
“Alright, Hudson, have a great evening, and we’ll talk soon!”
“You too! Thank you!”
She ends the call, and I immediately dial Adrian’s number. He picks up after the second ring. “What’s wrong? Why the hell are you calling without texting first?”
I chuckle. “Nothing is wrong. I was too excited to text this! A local expectant mother liked my profile enough to request a meeting!”
“Holy shit! Already?”
I’mnodding even though I know he can’t see me. “Right? That’s what I said too. Nothing is promised, but I’m so excited; I’m shaking right now.”
“Oh my god! I’m so excited too. Even if this first meeting isn’t the final match, that has to be a good sign that someone already wants to meet you! Did they say when?”
“I gave the woman from the agency, Holly, my schedule for the week, so hopefully I’ll hear back from her soon!” Shit, I hope the time works for him too, I should have asked. “Do you think you’ll be able to come?”
“You want me to?” he asks, sounding completely surprised by the request.
“Yeah, Charming, I’d love for you to be there if you can. I’m sure I’ll be a mess of nerves and you always know how to make me feel better. Also, when are you going to stop being so shocked that I want to spend time with you?”
He laughs again. “Probably never. But if you want me there, I’m there.”
Always.I’ll always want him there.
But that’s an inside thought, so I force it to stay there.
“Isit bad I’ve never been here?” I whisper to Adrian as we walk through the public library. The expecting mother requested the location for our meeting as neutral territory, and we’ve reserved a conference room to have some privacy.
“Depends. Have you been in any library before? Or is this your first time?” Adrian asks with a cocky grin.
I smirk tilting my head to the side. “Just because I’mathletic doesn’t mean I’m an idiot.”
“Obviously.”
“That being said… I’ll admit it’s been a while.”
Adrian’s grin grows, his dimples that I’ve become obsessed with making an appearance. “Don’t worry, I haven’t been here either.” We walk past shelf after shelf until we finally reach a wall of doors, each with a sign next to them. “Okay, this is it, room B,” Adrian says, already knocking, not giving me even a moment to panic.
“Come in,” a feminine voice calls out. Adrian swings the door open, motioning for me to enter first.
A young woman with dark curly hair pulled into a messy bun is sitting at the conference table, her laptop open in front of her with what I’m assuming is a textbook open on one side of it and a notebook on the other. She stands, one hand casually resting on her stomach, the other outstretched to me. “Hello, Hudson, it’s great to meet you. I’m Emily.”
Her warm smile melts some of my nerves as I shake her hand. “It’s great to meet you, Emily. I’m sorry if we were late.”
She waves a hand at the busy table in front of her. “You weren't late. I was just studying.”
“You’re a student?”
Her face lights up. “Yeah! I’m finishing up my third year of medical school.”
