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Chapter Four

Cat

Looking at my reflection in the elevator doors, I run a hand over my hair and pull down my suit jacket. I can’t help but notice how my eyes sparkle or the flush in my cheeks.

Running into David James twice in twenty-four hours was an unexpected surprise. But how is he going to feel when he finds out he’s one of my main projects?

The reason I was hired for this position, besides getting a glowing recommendation from my former boss, is because I alone am responsible for doubling my previous company’s clients through social media and public events.

The Smokies organization is looking to tweak their brand when it comes to their fan experience, and they think I’m the person to do it. There’s no question that I am the person. But my history with David has me feeling like I’m twelve again.

The elevator dings as it reaches the correct floor. Taking a calming breath, I put on a smile. This is the job of a lifetime for me, and I’m beyond excited. I want to make sure I convey that. The doors open to a gorgeous blonde woman with warm brown eyes beaming at me.

“Catherine Bailey?”

“That’s me.” I step off the elevator, reaching out for the hand she’s extending.

“I’m Hope Savage, your assistant.” When my brow furrows, she guesses the question floating through my head before I ask it.

“Logan mentioned you were coming from the Clubhouse. I figured I’d come to meet you and bring you directly to your office.

I want to make sure you have a couple of minutes to settle in before your meeting. ”

“Logan?” The elevator door shuts as she signals for me to follow her down the hall.

“He’s the Smokies catcher.” She gives me a gentle nudge with her elbow and winks. “You’ll want to start learning the names and positions of all the players…not just David James’’

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and her grin widens.

“I didn’t realize the Smokies’ shortstop David James is the David James I knew when I was younger.” I chuckle nervously.

“That sounds like a fun story,” she teases, and I find myself liking her already. She stops and points. “This is your office. You only have time to put your stuff down and run to the bathroom if you need to go. The restroom is straight down the hall to your right.”

“I’m good for now, thank you,” I reply, glancing around the room, as I put my things on the desk.

“I’ll be right back,” Hope chirps.

There isn’t anything remarkable about it except for the view. The first thing I see when looking out is first base, looking into the outfield. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I can admit that this is impressive.

Looking down at the field, I see someone setting up for what I think is practice, and it hits me—I’ll be seeing David all the time, in more ways than one. My heart leaps.

“Ready?” Hope pops her head in and sees me looking out the window. “It’s quite the view, right? And unless I’m mistaken, it’s pretty good for viewing the shortstop position.”

My eyebrows knit together, and she laughs.

“Looks like I’ll be helping you with the players' field positions too.” She signals for me to follow her out of the office. “You must be really good at what you do.”

“I am,” I say softly. “But please don’t tell anyone I don’t know these things yet. I was supposed to learn all about the team before I arrived.”

“Promise.” She makes a zipping sign across her lips and pretends to toss away the key.

“Thank you,” I say gratefully, trying to remember which direction we’re going in.

“Don’t worry about knowing where you are,” Hope says, eerily reading my mind again. “I’ll give you an official tour when the meeting’s done. You have the big guys here today ready to meet you.”

“The big guys?” I spoke with the VP of fan experience, Travis Foster, for the first part of my interview before meeting over Zoom with Travis and Charles Evans, the senior VP of business operations.

“The owners and CEO,” Hope whispers, and my eyes widen.

I wasn’t expecting so many people here today for my presentation.

I straighten my jacket and wipe my hands down my skirt.

“Don’t worry, they’re great. They probably won’t stay the entire time, but they always like to meet new team members on their first day. ”

The knots in my stomach loosen, and I breathe a smidge easier. Then I remind myself that I earned this position. My pulse slows down, and I feel myself relax.

“Here she is,” Hope says, as we walk through the door. She holds her hand out for me to walk in front of her. I’m greeted by a group of excited faces, and I feel my cheeks pull up.

“Hi Catherine.” A pretty brunette in her early forties walks over to me with her hand out. “I’m Kim Tate, and this is my husband, Felix.” She turns her head to the tall man walking behind her.

“Hi Catherine,” Felix says, reaching out his hand. When I finish shaking Kim’s hand, I take his.

“Is it Catherine or Cat?” Travis asks from behind Kim and Felix.

“Either is fine,” I say, looking over at him.

“Please tell us which one you would prefer,” Kim insists as she places her hand on my back. “We want you to feel comfortable. Besides, however, we learn your name now is how everyone at the Smokies organization will address you.”

The corner of my lip curves up at the warmth radiating from everyone in this room. “In that case, I prefer Cat. It’s a nickname my Aunt Dottie gave me when I was around five, and it stuck.” My smile dips at the mention of my aunt.

“Cat it is,” Felix says, as Kim walks me over to an empty chair at one of the heads of the table.

As I sit down, Kim whispers. “We were so sorry to hear about your aunt’s passing.” She rubs her hands up and down my arm before heading to the other end of the table to take the empty seat next to her husband.

“We’ve heard such wonderful things about what you did for your previous company,” Felix starts. Travis beams, and Charles nods. “I can’t wait to see what ideas you have to share with us today.”

I turn around to find Hope setting up the projector and loading my presentation on the laptop. She also placed a bottle of water by my seat. Gratitude for the team I have around me blossoms in my chest, and a wide smile crosses my face as I get ready to do what I love.

Bring people together.

“Today I have two ideas for you that I hope you’ll fall in love with.

” Pulling up the first slide that highlights the two main events: Bark In The Park and a Thyroid Disease Awareness night.

“The first is one that people all over adore, and the second is an attempt to bring attention to an invisible illness that is often hard to diagnose due to its subtle symptoms.”

I glance around the room to get a read on everyone’s faces. Kim is nodding, and Felix squeezes her hand. When she looks up at him, I see a spark of excitement in his gaze.

“You’re going to love these ideas,” Travis says to the group, encouraging me with a nod and a smile

At his support, any remaining tension slides away as I fall into my pitch.

“I knew you were the right person for the job.” Travis grins. Charles is closing the door behind Hope as she gives the three of us time to talk.

After my presentation I had a ton of questions thrown my way. Everyone was happy with the answers, and Kim and Felix had a few suggestions that would enhance the experience.

Overall it was a rousing success, and everyone was on board and excited.

They loved the idea of supporting Mile High Mutts Rescue and having them have a booth spotlighting the dogs they have for adoption, along with encouraging families of adopted dogs to come. But they really loved the idea I had for the Thyroid Disease Awareness event.

Since it’s more of an invisible illness, I wanted to do something with glow sticks that happen in sections when we talk about the statistics. I still have a few details to iron out, but the image is clear as day in my mind.

“So, tell us what your plans for David James are?” Charles asks once he takes the seat across from Travis.

A flutter races across my stomach, and I roll my pen between my fingers before looking up at Charles. “My thought was just to ask if he’d be comfortable with me spending one day a week with him to capture different situations that are going on with his life. Nothing too invasive.”

Charles gives a stiff nod, and when I glance over at Travis, he covers his mouth with his finger, brows furrowed.

“Okay, so what aren’t you telling me?” My gaze bounces back and forth between the two of them.

“David’s agent suggested something like that to him before, and he wasn’t so keen on having a stranger hanging around him and his daughter.”

“Makes perfect sense.” I nod as my lips curve up. “Good thing I’m not a stranger…kind of.”

When both Travis’ and Charles’ brows shoot up, I give a sanitized version of me and David being neighbors until my family moved.

“I think it will be easier for him with me. And all I want to do is help him get started.”

Now I just need to fill him in. I groan silently. I hope he doesn’t feel like I’ve deceived him by not telling him sooner about my new position at his place of work.

Looking up, I see the time and realize I have to finish up before I leave for my appointment with Dr. Carlson.

“I’m sorry, but I need to head to my doctor’s appoin—”

“Of course,” Travis says, as he and Charles stand. “We will talk more tomorrow.”

As I head toward the door, I rest my hand on the frame and turn to face them. “Thank you again for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”

Stopping briefly at my office and then heading back out the way I came in this morning. I find myself once again in the clubhouse tunnels walking to my car.

I’ll park in the upper lot tomorrow, but for now, I need to walk by the locker room on my way out.

Just when I think I’m about to get a clean getaway, something or someone bumps into my side.