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“You never told me why you aren’t playing today.”
A smile edges its way in. “Is that a question?”
“I’d like an answer,” she says, laughing.
“The other first baseman’s parents are here this weekend. His dad didn’t get to see him play the last time he was in town. I overheard them talking, and his dad sounded upset. I figured if he started today’s game, his dad would be happier.”
“And you told this to the coach?”
“More or less. I asked him to start Jason since his parents would be here. I left out the part about his dad being upset.”
Her face softens, and I can’t quite read her. “Then he already knows how good of a person you are despite his preconceived ideas.”
“I don’t know if it’s going to be enough.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yeah, I do.” It feels wrong admitting that to Shannon when I haven’t told Cassie yet. But it’s how I feel.
“Then I guess she’s worth the trouble.”
That she is.I just need to come up with a way that we all win in the end.
Needing to redirect the subject from me, I ask Shannon about her summer. “So tell me howGlamour Projectwent.”Glamour Projectis LA’s version ofProject Runway.The show aired a special edition where they picked one representative from the art department of colleges across the United States to compete in their show. Shannon represented Cessna University.
“It was amazing,’ she beams. “Even though I didn’t win, the experience I had and the connections made are surreal. I met some of the top designers. I’d name them, but you wouldn’t know who I was talking about.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Nike and Under Armourare about all I know.”
“Those are brands, not designers.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, there’s one who really liked my designs. He offered me an internship at his company next summer. And it’s a paid internship, so not a free labor type deal.”
I laugh. “That’s great. I’m so proud of you.”
Her smile drops. “Yeah, the only problem is it’s in Paris.”
My eyebrows raise to the roof. “France?”
“Yep.”
“What does Noah think about this?”
She scrunches her nose. “I haven’t told him. I’m not committed to the job yet.”
“But that would be a waste to turn down. And it’s only for a summer, right?”
She winces. “To start. He made it seem like it could lead to greater things.” She gives me a side glance. “I have a year to think about it.”
I wonder what I would do in Noah’s position. If Cassie were offered a fabulous opportunity in a foreign land, I’d be excited for her but also sad to see her go. Long-distance relationships suck, but it’s something I’ll have to get used to, given our situation.
“It’s great they saw your potential.”
“I know, right?” Her smile is back in place, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I can’t wait for school to start. I’m ready to get back at it.”
I sit back in my seat as she pulls into the stadium. The end of summer is fast approaching which means saying goodbye to Cassie. I’m not ready to leave her yet. And that reinforces my need to talk to her dad. I just have to come up with the right approach and let the consequences fall where they land.
Chapter Thirty-Five
CASSIE
