“I’m sorry.” She waves her hand in front of her face, unable to contain her mirth as giggles flow out of her. “I couldn’t help myself. This is too close to the press conference scene at the end of that movie.”
This time, I don’t stop myself from kissing her temple.
The way Kenzie grins up at me makes me want to tell her I love her, right in front of everyone in this room and thethousands of people watching this on live-stream. I tuck a wayward strand behind her ear instead.
We spend the next few minutes fielding questions as the reporters grow even more enamored with Kenzie. When one of the reporters admits he also loves Marvel movies and understood herIron Manreference, she ends up rambling about her crush on Paul Rudd, only stopping to apologize to me, as if I’d be offended. I’m not. Plus, there’s nothing better than when Kenzie rambles. It’s my favorite thing.
By the time we wrap it up, they’re eating from the palm of her hand. Her response to the question of why she jumped on the dugout—an adorable shrug paired with “Alien baby infestation?”—had the room rolling in laughter. Kenzie’s admission that we met when she started taking care of Banks leads reporters to reference the video I made for Fur-Ever Homes. Kenzie makes a quick request for anyone watching to help with Princess’s adoption by sharing the video. When asked about her appearance, she makes up a story about wanting to really surprise me after the game, and that’s why she’d dressed in costume.
“Next time, I’ll be sure to come as myself.” Kenzie directs this toward Patrick, and a ribbon of pride weaves through my ribs at her boldness.
My manager nods, the corner of his lip twitching. I don’t care who I have to talk to or what hoops I have to jump through, I’m getting Kenzie off that banned list.
“One last thing,” Dana says, “you never addressed your former relationship with Waves pitcher Aaron Lawson.”
I lean in close, murmuring, “You don’t have to answer that.”
“It’s okay,” she whispers before facing the room. “Have you ever chosen something because it was in front of you instead of listening to your gut? You foolishly make the wrong choice, blatantly disregarding the warning signs?”
Several reporters nod along.
Kenzie pauses, almost as if she’s deciding how much to reveal. “I’m sure there’s someone perfect for Aaron out there. It’s just not me.”
Before anyone else can offer a follow-up question, I say, “As nice as it was chatting with you all, I’d love to get a shower. I don’t know how Kenzie hasn’t passed out from my stink already.”
Gamely, Kenzie waves a hand in front of her nose, and everyone chuckles.
Once we’re back in the hallway, I say, “I’ll need to do a lot more than shower before I can leave, but will you wait?”
Kenzie wraps her arms around my neck with a growing smile. “With how long you waited for me? It’s the least I can do.”
I bring our foreheads together, allowing all the stress of the day to melt away. “You were amazing in there. It took me a year to get that comfortable in front of the cameras.”
“I credit the alien babies.”
When I chuckle, Kenzie pulls back. “I don’t really understand it, but it’s like I knew it would be okay because you were there. Everything is always okay when you’re there.”
My heart practically vaults from my body as a shaky exhale leaves me speechless.
Kenzie’s affectionate gaze sweeps my face before she rises on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Go shower. You really do stink.”
I’m laughing again as I watch Kenzie toss a flirty smirk over her shoulder before following a staff member toward an unoccupied office. In the three seconds I allow myself to watch her leave, I make a decision. The minute we leave this ballpark, I’m telling Kenzie what she means to me.
Chapter 30
Kenzie
After visiting a single occupancy bathroom to scrub off Mallory’s decoy makeup, I’m led to an unoccupied office and offered a plate from the clubhouse spread. Since I’d been planning on buying myself a ballpark hot dog for dinner before going full incognito, I’m famished. The marinated chicken, roasted potatoes, and grilled asparagus areincredible. The Waves nutritionalist’s skills live up to her hyped reputation. I also slurp down a protein and fruit smoothie, chasing it with a handful of spiced nuts.
Brianna, one of the clubhouse attendants, raps her knuckles on the open door. “Trevor sent me to let you know they’ll be a bit longer but wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
A blush creeps up my neck. I like how much he’s still taking care of me even when he’s busy in a team meeting.
“No, thank you. This all has been wonderful.” She nods, moving as if to continue down the hall before my question stops her. “Would it be okay if I closed the door for a phone call?”
“Of course,” she tells me, leaning into the office to close the door for me.
I slide my phone out of the pocket of my borrowed sweats, knowing it’s entirely too late. My parents rarely stay awake past nine, and it’s nearly eleven p.m. If I didn’t know they were heading to our town’s farmers market early tomorrow to sell asparagus, rhubarb, and radishes along with cheese from our goats, I wouldn’t bother them.
