I try not to jump to conclusions with what she’s saying since there’s so much she still hasn’t said, but it’shard. “Not to be rude, but how exactly do I fit into this?”
“Right, sorry. I’ve been told I talk too much and need to be better about getting straight to the point.” She chuckles to herself. “Your name was passed along to leadership for consideration.”
My stomach drops at that. I drop my head back and let out a sigh. I love him.So much. But he can’t swoop in to rescue me like this. I need to get this job on my own merit. Not because my ex-boyfriend recommends me to his bosses. At least then I know whether or not I actually earned it. “Look, I appreciate whatever Ryan has said on my behalf but?—”
“Oh! No, sorry, you misunderstand Ms. Rossi. It wasn’t Mr. Fletcher who put your name forward. It was a Mister….” She trails off as I hear her shuffle through papers on her end. “Peter Boseman. Of Boseman Production Security.”
My jaw is on the floor at this point.Peterput me forward?
“Are you… sure about that?” I’m staring at the game still playing on the television but I’m not actually paying attention to what’s happening on the screen as my brain tries to process this conversation.
“Positive. He got in touch with leadership after everything came out about your relationship with Mr. Fletcher and he vouched for your work ethic and skill set. Essentially told my bosses they’d be fools for not hiring you, or at the very least consider you for the role.”
“I—um, okay… So they want to interview me?”
“Yes. As soon as possible. They’ll be at the facility tomorrow ahead of game two, but then they’ll be away until the series comes back to LA. Or should I say,ifthe series comes back. That said, I’m so sorry for the short notice, but would you be able to swing by around 9 a.m. tomorrow to sit and have a conversation?”
I shoot into an upright position. “Yes, of course. It’s not a problem. I can definitely be there.”
“Excellent! I’ll get you put into the calendar then. Apologies again for calling so late. I’ll let you go since your man is on deck and I’m sure you’d like to watch without distractions.” With that, Julie hangs up and I’m left gaping at my phone.
And then “I Miss You” plays through the TV speakers in the background of the announcers and I drop my head into my hands and cry, but with a smile on my face for the first time in weeks.
I walk outof the conference room with the biggest smile on my face. I want to scream. Or dance. Jump around. Kiss Ryan.
Or talk to him.
Or justseehim.
Even if it is from a distance.
I wonder if I can sneak out to the stands to catch a glimpse of them on the field.
Probably isn’t ideal to start sneaking around my new place of employment before I’ve officially started.
“Isa?”
I whip around to see the man himself frozen in place in the middle of the hallway as if my thoughts summoned him. His bag, which was slung haphazardly over his shoulder, slips and clatters to the ground, but it’s as if he didn’t even hear it. He’s completely unfazed. All his attention on me.
He takes a step forward before he realizes what he’s done and halts his progress. “What—” He clears his throat and drops his gaze off to the side, like he can’t stand to look at me. That breaks my heart, but I guess I broke his first. “What are you doing here?” His eyes snap back to mine and widen with panic. God, I’ve missed his eyes. The bright blue I could drown in. “Not that you aren’t allowed to be here. You are. Clearly. You have a visitor’s pass”—he gestures wildly to the pass clipped on my blazer—“so obviously you’re supposed to be here. I guess I’m asking for the reason.” He runs his hands through his hair, tugging on it. “I don’t want to assume you’re here for me. But… are you here for me?” The hope in his eyes sends my heart soaring.
I offer him a soft smile as I close the distance between us. “Hi, Ryan,” I say when I’m only about a foot away. “I don’t even know where to start with all you’ve just thrown at me, so I’ll work my way backwards. No, I’m not here for you?—”
“Oh,” he says, and his entire demeanor falls. The speed at which that hope drains from his eyes is damn-near heart-wrenching. His eyes drop from mine, falling to the tiles between us.
I take another step closer. “At least not initially.”
“Oh?” The hope creeps back into his voice as his gaze drags its way back to mine.
“I have a visitor’s pass because I received a phone call during the game last night from Julie in the front office.” His brows furrow in confusion, but he remains silent, allowing me to continue. “Apparently leadership is making some changes to their broadcasting allowances for next season and they’re looking to bring someone in-house to join their security team and be a bridge between the networks and the organization.”
His eyebrows shoot skyward at the implication. “Does that mean…?”
“My name was mentioned when the discussion of these changes came up and they had me come in this morning for an interview. Although, it felt more just like an informational meeting.”
His eyes widen in panic. “I didn’t do anything, Isa. If I had known about this opening, I would’ve suggested you, but I understand what you said when we split. You need to get it through your own efforts. I didn’t give them your name.”
I smile warmly at him. “I know. I asked Julie, and it was Peter Boseman.”
