“You tell him anyway. It’s better he knows now than when you start acting uncomfortable around his QB and he demands to know why.”
“You’re right. Thanks.”
“Any time. Good luck.”
“Ha. Thanks for that too.”
“I’m not going to lie; I don’t envy you in the slightest, but I’m here if you need me.” Paige squeezes my hand again and I smile. This talk may not have solved any of my problems, but at least I know what I have to do.
My heart jolts as I think about Sal’s reaction, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m worried about what he’ll do or excited by the idea of his protectiveness. Either way, I’m going to find out.
“Sal, I have Keeley here to see you.” Tabitha smiles my way as she speaks, both of us pretending it hasn’t been years since I asked her to announce me to Sal.
Sal’s silent for a beat, but I swear I can hear the faintest of sighs. “Thank you, Tabitha. Please send her in.”
I smile at Tabitha, hoping to convey the depth of my thanks without words, and walk across the hall to open Sal’s door.
“Hey, sorry to bother you?—”
“That’s not possible, Keeley, and you know it.” He gestures for me to come in, and I let out a soft laugh. Since when have I cared about that? I usually confirm he’s alone and then barge right in. I’ve interrupted calls, his lunch, and hell, I once walked in on him changing his shirt. That one was my favorite.
Now, I’m hesitant and it’s not for the reason he thinks.
“I was actually going to come and find you,” he tells me, brushing past me to close the door. “Take a seat. I have news.”
News?Dammit. He’s about to tell me they signed Vance. I know it. Despite the awkwardness between us, there is a lightness to him, a relaxed energy that only comes with knowing a few of your problems have been solved.
“Before you tell me, I need to talk to you about something.”
Sal freezes, his eyes wide before his head drops back. “I’m sorry. I promise I haven’t been avoiding you. You were out of the office and then I was away on business. Which is what I was coming to talk to you about.”
“That’s not?—”
“Is there any way we can go back to the way things were? I can’t lose you. And more than that… I don’t want to.”
My stomach knots and I feel bad for letting him believe I walked away the other night because of our kiss.
“We’re good, I promise.”
“Are you sure?” His expression is so hopeful that my chest aches.
“I’m sure.”Please don’t hate me when I finally tell you why I held back.
“Thanks, Keeley.” Sal’s relieved sigh makes me smile until he shifts the conversation back to what he had to say. “Ready for the exciting news?”
“No.”
“We signed Mye— No?” Sal frowns, pausing when he notes my response. His eyes rake over me, concern etched into his features. He studies me for a second before cursing out loud, perhaps registering my panic, though there’s no need. Was he going to say Myers?
“I’m an idiot. I?—”
“I’m fine. No, I’m good. Did you say Myers?”
“I did, but that’s not important right now.”
“What?” I jump to my feet, my own lightness now matching Sal’s. “How can you say that? Securing Beckett is incredible news.”
“It is.” He speaks slowly, watching me curiously. “What’s wrong?”
