She looks up at me, tears that I hope like hell are happy ones making her eyes shine. “Are you sure about this? I thought the team was your dream.”
I shake my head. “No, it was a way to fill the time while I figured out my life. And when I realized the only life worth living was one with you and Charlie in it, I knew it was time to move on. Dom’s the right guy to take over. I’ll still be a financial investor, and technically the owner, but you don’t report to me any longer. I’m not your boss as of 4 pm yesterday when I signed the paperwork.” I cup her cheek. “I do listen to you, Isla. Every single word. I’m sorry I was an idiot and didn’t explain everything about going to Toronto and making Dom the GM right from the start.”
She lets out a small, shaky laugh. “Yeah, no more surprises, please.”
“Deal,” I promise. “I really missed you this week, wonder woman.”
“I missed you, too,” she whispers back and when she looks up at me, her gaze is heated, full of excitement and promise.
“Oh my God, stop being weird and just open thedoor.” Charlie’s impatient complaint has both of us grinning.
“Fine, fine,” Isla says, stepping away from my side. She places her hand on the door handle and pauses, looking back at me and Charlie. “Should I be worried that Dom is going to grumble about budgets?”
I shake my head. “Nope. This didn’t come from the team’s accounts.”
Her light laugh fills my heart. “Oh boy, somehow, I’m even more worried now.” Then, she opens the door and gasps. “Oh wow.”
We step inside her newly decorated office as a trio. Isla moves farther in, her gaze sweeping across the space. I recruited Juniper to help with a lot of the design choices, including the deep blue accent chairs and white marble-topped table that are in one corner, and the plants scattered throughout the space.
Isla walks slowly toward the white L-shaped desk, her fingertips trailing over the desk blotter and the rose-gold coloured stationary set on top. She drops down into the cream-coloured office chair and gives it a spin as she giggles.
“This is gorgeous.”
Charlie walks quickly to his mother’s side and starts pointing out other details in the space, the photos on the open shelving, the plants, the subtle placement of some of Isla’s favourite team merchandise. Meanwhile, I sit down in the chair across from her desk and watch the two of them.
Nothing in my life has ever felt so right as thismoment. Every decision I’ve made over the last year, every step I’ve taken, has led to this.
The only thing that could top this would be making Isla mine forever.
And if I have it my way, that will happen soon enough.
41
ISLA
“Everything’s perfect,you are allowed to relax, you know.”
I step away from the banner that hangs above the last row of seats behind home plate, spin on my heel, and glare at Luca. “Listen buddy, just because you no longer work here doesn’t mean the rest of us get to goof off. Today has to go well.”
The damn man chuckles, placing his hands on my shoulders, his grey eyes glinting with amusement. “It will. You’ve done the work, now it’s time to watch it all come together.” He rubs his hands up and down my arms, and I have to admit, I feel my tension slowly dropping. “Breathe for me, wonder woman.”
That nickname, said with so much love and pride, is my undoing. I sag into his arms, resting my cheek against his warm, solid chest, and breathe in deeply. Only for my brain to suddenly start spinning. “Wait. Did Gabe go down to meet the fire department?”
Luca holds me tighter, and I feel him chuckle. “Yes. They’re ready to go after the third inning.”
Today’s charity game is a short one, only six innings. With it being late March, the weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and since today is just for fun and to raise money for the Little League, it was an easy decision to fill the time with other fun activities, along with the actual ball game.
Gates open any minute now, and the community will get their first real look at the newly renovated Cedar Creek Stadium, home of the Thunder. And it's all thanks to the man at my side. He’s the reason this team is looking forward to its best-attended season in almost a decade, with season ticket sales booming, and the first four games already sold out. The players are invigorated from spring training and ready to go, and I’ve seen more and more people around town wearing our new merchandise on hats, hoodies, and jerseys lately.
“How does it feel to know none of this would have been possible without you?” Luca asks, turning me to face the field.
“I think you’ve got that backward. This is all thanks to you,” I reply, leaning back in his arms. “It does look incredible, though.”
Looks, sounds, and feels incredible is more like it. There’s been a palpable energy in the building lately. More than just what would be normal now that the players are back in-house, gearing up for the season. Everyone’s excited to see how the team is received by the town and the baseball community at large.
“Take the credit, Isla. There’s a reason you’re thehead of marketing now.” He nuzzles my neck, pressing kisses there that make me wish we weren’t in a very public place. Just then, a voice comes over the loudspeaker. “Gates are opening in one minute, everyone. One minute to gates opening.”
Luca draws back, a nervous smile blooming across his face. “This is it. Let’s go let them in.”
