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“That’s…actually a great idea.”
Tab likes to downplay her involvement in Pet Threads, but the truth is, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. One day, I divulged a dream to her after I’d started making Athena’s clothes. First, we started with a store on an e-commerce site that pushed handmade goods. When we grew on there, she asked the landlord about the storefront below our apartment, and everything clicked into place after that. If Tab wasn’t with me in the first year of starting this business, I wouldn’t be where I am. We split everything fifty-fifty.
Now that there’s something to split, that is.
“I was also thinking that we should contact the league about having a partnership where we can use their logos on our designs. We’d have to see the percentage they’d want, but I think it’s a great way to tie-in what everyone knows is happening between you two now.”
“The porter called me Mrs. Freeman.”
Tab barks out a laugh. “I bet you died.”
“Nearly.”
“It’s an eventuality.”
“Shh,” I chastise her. “You’re going to jinx it.”
She lets out a breath, and I’m startled when she doesn’t retort back with her classic brand of humor. “Good things can happen to you, Rae-bae. Good thingsarehappening to you, and nothing is going to change that.”
My stomach squeezes. I nod, like I know it, but it’s going to take me a while toknowit. I don’t want to live with this fear of having everything taken away, but it’s so hard to switch that part of my brain off. It’s ingrained in me.
“Send me pictures and videos. I was thinking, you should do a post from your hotel room on the Pet Threads account and ask people where they think you are.”
“That could be cute.”
“People are speculating anyway.”
That’s the truth. I had an entertainment magazine reach out to me for comment after photos of Micah and me at dinner and around Nashville were shared on social media. Coupled with the fact that I was at his home game, rumors are amping up. “I should probably ask Micah if it’s okay.”
“Are you kidding me? You can, but I’m sure he’s probably going to make you put him in the video so everyone else knows he’s staked his claim on you.”
“You make it sound?—”
“Hot? Because that’s what I think it is. Own it, girl. I mean, the man got a tattoo for you. Already. You’ve only been seeing him a couple of months, and he permanently etched you onto his skin.”
“But—”
“Whatever you want, it’s fine.” Micah’s voice makes me scream, and I drop the phone.
He’s leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his chest with a knowing smirk on his face.
Goose bumps burst up and down my arms, my heart pounds, and a healthy dose of heat moves into my core. “How long have you been standing there?”
He walks forward and bends over to grab the phone. “Tab?” I can’t hear her response, but he grins. “Yeah, I’ll tell her to call you back. Is everything good at the store?” He nods once. “Great. Bye.”
He ends the call and tosses the phone onto my luggage. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.”
“I missed you.”
“It’s only been a few days.”
He gives me a threatening look. “Downplay the distance between us again and see what happens.”
“The porter called me Mrs. Freeman.”
He nuzzles my neck. “The whole world will call you Mrs. Freeman eventually, but I’m only going to call you mine.”