His smile softens as he nods to one of the young girls sitting in the front row. “That’s exactly why I started it. Don't get me wrong, I love sports. Clearly, it has made me the man I am today. But sports aren't the be-all, end-all. And I think you, every other LaunchPoint member here, have opportunities to chase their dreams and expand their minds.”
Maddox looks up to me again, and I think for the first time since I met him, he blushes.
“Every time I come in here, I'm more in awe of each and every one of you. I know some of you may look up to me, or maybe to my teammates on the football field, and think we're your heroes. And that’s great. Everyone needs to have someone to look up to. But let me tell you this, you’re mine. The things you’re building here? The innovations I see? I’m in awe of all of you. And I want you to know that from the bottom of my heart.”
A few of the adults clap. I’m one of them.
“Now why do I bring up role models?” Maddox asks. “It’s the reason I asked everyone to come here today. I’m proud to announce that we’re going to be starting the LaunchPoint Mentorship Program. And you guys are going to be the ones leading the way. You’re going to be the ones helping elementary students with their first builds and ideas. You’re the ones they’re going to look up to. They're going to see the drone you built. Or the car that you completely revamped and made into a smart vehicle. And maybe they have dreams of playing a professional sport. That’s fine. But maybe they’re also going to have dreams of building robots and making scientific discoveries that’ll change the world. And they’re going to see what you’re doing here, and they’re going to want to be exactly like each and every one of you. In fact, I know they are.”
Well shit now I’m crying...and sighing more than ever…
I mean, how am I not supposed to sigh with hearts in my eyes? This man is… he’s so many things. He’s good and pure and has good intentions in everything he does. He’s honest and funny. He’s handsome and charming. He’s smart without showing off about it. He’s a showman while also somehow reserved and private.
And I think I’m about to ask him on a date.
That last hit of realization should be scaring me. But Shelby is right. Why can’t I? The man makes me happy. He makes me smile. Unless Vegas was a drunken fluke, he makes me feel good. Why wouldn’t I want more of that in my life? The answer is I do. And I’m going to get it. So I’m going to channel every ounce of courage and confidence I had in Vegas, and somehow without alcohol or a sequin dress, I’m going to ask a man out on a date for the first time in my life.
Maddox quiets down the crowd as I pick up the box I’d set down. “In honor of kicking off the mentorship program, I thought what better way to celebrate than with some desserts.And luckily for me, I happen to know the best baker in Nashville.”
Maddox pauses to nod back to me, a smile from ear to ear glowing on his face. “Everyone say hi to Miss Gabi.”
The kids do as asked, and I give a small wave with my half-free hand. “Hi everyone. I promise there are more, I just didn’t have enough hands. I’ll put these down and go get the rest.”
Maddox shakes his head. "Do I have any volunteers who will go to Miss Gabi’s car and bring in the rest of the desserts?"
Hands don’t even need to be raised because at his request, six boys and girls jump from the floor and sprint to help. I start to walk over to the table where all the food is displayed, but before I can make it three steps, Maddox is somehow in front of me, taking the box out of my hands.
“I got it,” he says, and for a second, I think he’s about to kiss my cheek, but he steps away. “Thank you again for bringing these.”
“It was the least I could do,” I say as he puts them down. “Plus, now I’m glad I did.”
He doesn’t know the double meaning of my words as he turns back around to face me. “So, my staff is going to get the kids all fed. Do you want a tour? Or are you hungry? I can get you some pizza.”
I shake my head and give myself one more deep breath for courage—even though I half wish it was a shot of tequila. “Actually, can I talk to you for a second in private?”
Concern comes over his face. “Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I say confidently, not wanting him to worry as he takes me into an office and shuts the door. But as I quickly look around, I realize this has to be his office. Pictures are carefully placed on shelves and the desk—all of him with different students who I’m assuming are LaunchPoint attendees. There’s of course a Nashville Fury football, a few trophies, but what pullsme in the most are things that have nothing to do with football. Schematics on the wall of different projects. Pictures that you can tell kids colored for him. But what pulls at my heartstrings the most is a huge certificate that looks like it was drawn by elementary students that says “Person of the Year.”
Sigh…
“That speech… it was amazing. All of this? I’ve only seen a little of it, but you should be really proud of what you’re doing here.”
I see him blush at my praise as he goes to stand against his desk, his biceps inadvertently flexing as he balances himself against the edge. I don’t know how a man can look this sexy while I’m also reminded everywhere I look of how good of a guy he is. But no matter the how, it’s what I needed to assure myself that what I’m about to do is the absolutely right decision.
“Thank you. It’s always fun seeing the kids’ reaction when they hear it.”
“I can tell.” I shuffle my feet back and forth, realizing I have no idea how to shift this conversation from his charity to what I want to ask him. Are my next words “want to go out tonight as not best friends?”
“Are you okay?” he asks, taking a step away from the desk and cutting the distance between us. “Your eyes only bounce around like that when you’re thinking really hard, and they’re currently going a mile a minute.”
I look up at him, in more awe of him than I was before. “You notice things like that?”
“I notice everything about you Gabrielle.”
He takes two more steps closer, his eyes not letting my gaze go for even a second. He’s so close his cologne is overtaking my senses. He’s close enough that my heart rate is picking up, though I don’t know if it’s from him and the words he said or the question I want to ask.
Who am I kidding? It’s both.
