I can only hope to make future decisions with as much confidence as I did that one.
Speaking of decisions I need to make, I have a couple of receptionist interviews lined up for this afternoon. Grabbing my bag, I loop it over my shoulder and leave my office fora conference room on the second floor that will feel less intimidating than interviewing in my office.
It’s a quiet day around the offices, so I don’t see too many people on the way to the elevator, and it opens on my floor immediately after I press the button for it.
As soon as I step inside, I’m instantly hit with a flashback of last Saturday night.
My back against the wall.
Legs wrapped around Emmett’s waist.
His lips on mine, trailing down my neck, over my collarbone. How close he was to pulling down my bra and wrapping his mouth around—
“Can you hold that for me?”
Oh God.I’d know that voice anywhere.
I hold a hand out to keep the doors from closing, giving my grandfather time to come around the corner.
I love the man, but unfortunately, he’s the very last person on Earth I’d like to see right now, while I’m busy replaying every second of what I did with my employee last weekend.
“Oh, there’s my girl,” he says brightly, taking his time getting into the elevator next to me.
Gathering myself, I pop a kiss on his cheek as the doors close with only us inside. He pushes the button for the floor directly below us while I choose the second level, right above the clubhouse.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asks, the back of his hand meeting my forehead. “You’re awfully flushed right now, honey. A bit warm.”
If he only knew.
“I’m fine,” I lie. “Just a warm day out.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to check up on you. I was just saying hi to some old friends in the ticketing office. Thought I’d make my rounds and see who else was here today.”
My grandfather, like me, loves this place. This was his life for more than four decades. He spent as much time here as I do now. I can’t imagine how strange the transition has been for him, regardless that he was ready to call it quits.
So, I’m never surprised when I find him lingering in the halls every other week or so.
“You know you’re welcome here any time,” I tell him. “If you ever want to come sit in my office while I’m working or if you need me to make up an excuse for why I need you at the field, so Grandma doesn’t give you a hard time, you just let me know.”
He chuckles. “That’s why you’re my favorite.”
The doors open on the floor he needs and the one person I both long to see and also need to avoid is standing on the other side, waiting for the elevator.
Emmett’s eyes are downcast on his phone as the doors slowly open, but he finally looks up once they’re fully ajar.
There’s the smallest hint of surprise on his face when he meets my eye, but that look slowly morphs into this sweet smile that sets every inch of me on fire.
I find myself giving him a mirror grin in return.
We’ve barely seen each other since that kiss. Not entirely intentional, just being busy with our work. And the times we have seen each other have been across a crowded room or in a congested dugout. Which is purposeful. We’re both doing our part to stay away as best we can. To keep a healthy distance.
“Hi,” he breathes out, eyes locked on me.
That warm fever my grandfather was so worried about? Yeah, it’s back.
I open my mouth to say something, but my grandfather beats me to it.
“Monty!” he bursts, taking a step to get off the elevator. “So good to see you. How have you been?”
