“Well, keep it up.” She shows me a few more photos. “These are all going to perform great. Oh, hey, are you free tonight? A few of us are grabbing drinks after work. Miles, Liz, maybe Matt if he's not too busy. Want to join?”
“Sure,” I say. “That sounds nice.”
“Great. We usually hit up that bar on Third Avenue. Nothing fancy, just unwinding after work. We'll head over around six?”
We walk back to the office together with Eliana chattering about content strategy while I mentally plan the rest of my day.
Back at the office, I dive into work with renewed focus. The Nike proposal needs to be perfect. It’s the kind of opportunity that could open doors to even more endorsement deals.
I'm deep in drafting talking points when my phone buzzes.
Liam: Dinner tonight? I can cook. Or order in. Or we can go somewhere quiet.
My heart squeezes.
Me: I can't. Going for drinks with some people from the office.
Liam:
Liam: Can I see you after?
Me: You have a game tomorrow. You should rest.
Liam: I'll rest better if I can hold you tonight.
God, this man.
Liam: I know. I know. I'm being clingy. But I spent two days with you and now I'm supposed to just go back to normal and pretend I don't miss you constantly?
Me: We’re taking it easy remember.
Liam: This is me taking it easy. I'm texting you instead of showing up at your apartment like I want to.
Me: Very restrained of you.
Liam: I'm growing as a person.
I let out a laugh.
Me: Get some rest tonight. Focus on Thursday's game. After you win, we'll figure something out.
Liam: When I win. Not if. You have faith in me, remember?
Me: When you win.
Liam: That's my girl.
I set my phone down, that warm feeling spreading through my chest again. This is dangerous territory. Missing him like this, needing to see him, planning our next meeting like it's the most important thing in the world.
But I can't seem to stop myself.
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of work. By six o'clock, I've finalized the Nike proposal, coordinated with SI about potential interview dates, and reviewed all of Thursday's game coverage with Eliana.
“Ready for drinks?” Liz pops her head into my office. “Miles and Eliana are already heading out.”
I close my laptop and grab my purse. “Okay, ready.”
The bar is a ten-minute walk from the office, a casual place with dark wood and exposed brick that's clearly popular with the after-work crowd. Miles and Eliana have already claimed a corner booth and are waving us over.
