Page 81 of The Game Changer
“On the house, hon. Now, tell me about these job woes and man trouble. Let’s see if Aunt Dot can help.”
“Unless you tell me you need a marketing professional on a long-term basis, there’s no helping the job situation. And the man trouble is more of a man frustration.”
Dottie hums. “I’ll keep my ears open for a job. I hear a lot of things and meet a lot of people, you know.”
“It’s true, Dot knows everything about everybody,” Juni chimes in, winking at Dot.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Dot retorts with an easy smile. “Anywho. Man frustration is something I’m quite familiar with. Before my Frank died, he used to drive me round the bend. What’s that Luca done now?”
“Nothing, really,” I admit. “He just went out of town this morning and didn’t tell me why.”
“That’s not nothing. Communication is important. But do you trust him?”
My nod comes instantly.
“Then trust he has a good reason to go. And trust that him not telling you could be as simple as the fact that men can be complete idiots and don’t always think about the need to keep their partner informed.”
Juniper starts to giggle, and I find myself eventually joining in. Luca may be an incredibly mature, confident man most of the time, but I’ve certainly seen the other side of him. Would I call him an idiot? Of course not. Occasionally oblivious and impulsive? Definitely.
“Thanks Dottie, that helps.” I smile up at the older woman. It’s crazy, but I do actually feel a little bit better. I don’t exactly have a lot of experience being in a relationship, so hearing from someone who does goes a long way to helping me understand everything.
“Anytime. Now, if you want my advice, which, to be frank, you’re gonna get even if you don’t want it, you need to talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Ask him to explain. It’ll be good for both of you.” Her gaze drops to the wedding band on her left hand. “Especially if he’s a keeper like he seems to be. Those are the ones worth the extra work.”
Dot’s sage advice, bittersweet as it is, knowing she’s grieving the man she loves, stays with me all afternoon. When Juni eventually drops me at the stadium so I can grab some things to work on over the weekend, my thoughts are with Luca. I just saw him this morning, but I already miss him.
“See you tomorrow at Charlie’s game,” she calls outwith a wave. It’s just a fun pre-season match up between the two Little League teams, more of a practice than anything, but it’s Charlie’s first time pitching, so he’s been vibrating with excitement all week. It’s too bad Luca’s trip couldn’t be delayed, I’m sure Charlie would have loved for him to be there tomorrow. But when he told me he was leaving town, it didn’t occur to me to mention the game. Not when he already had flights booked and everything.
But Juni and I will be there for Charlie, and she said Cal might join us. Hopefully, a Thunder player cheering him on is an okay substitute for Luca. As I walk past his office with the door closed, I blush, remembering our stolen moments in there. Passing Gabe’s desk, my gaze lands on a piece of paper sticking out of a folder. A piece of paper that has my name on it.
I come to a stop. Gabe’s computer is on, so he’s obviously still here, even though he isn’t at his desk at the moment for me to ask what’s in the folder. Indecision wars within me. I shouldn’t snoop, but what could that be?
“Isla, hi.”
I turn to see Gabe walking up. His gaze drops down to the folder, and then his eyes widen before he scoops it up and tucks it under his arm.
“What is that, Gabe?”
“Just some papers for Luca.”
That’s an evasive answer if I ever heard one. “Why was my name on it?” I cross my arms over my chest.
Gabe looks at me, his expression carefully neutral. “I think that’s something you should take up with Luca.”
“Gabe,” I say, unable to keep the pleading from my voice. “What is it?”
His lips turn up ever so slightly. “I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
I swallow. “I hate surprises, Gabe. Please, I won’t tell him you showed me.”
He studies me for a second before I see him relent. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s fantastic.” Opening the folder, he turns it to me.
I skim it quickly, seeing just enough to set my blood boiling and my heart cracking.
Fantasticis not the word I would use.
39
LUCA
