Page 5 of (La)Crosse My Heart (Sweet Sports Kisses #7)

Jessa

W hy is my face still burning after I’ve been away from Clark for the last fifteen minutes? Working with someone you’ve known in the past is not for the faint of heart, especially when he’s so blunt.

I’m surprised he even remembered about Dan, my ex-boyfriend. What’s sad is that I’d been with the guy for nine years. Had there been any progress? No, we’d been stagnant for the last five.

I’ve wondered over the last six months why I’d never left. It was comfortable and it meant I didn’t have to change a lot. It was easier.

Until it wasn’t.

When I had to spend all the time planning dates and trips while he spent time “honing his craft”, i.e. playing golfing games on his Xbox, I realized it was time to move on. And starting fresh meant getting away from the comfortable and taking a leap so big, I still get butterflies from it.

I get into my car and plug in the address to the rental house in my GPS, knowing I’ve still got a few more times of driving the route before I’ll understand how to navigate this city.

The gal at the gas station tried to tell me about the grid system and how I just needed to go so many streets north or south to get where I had to go.

That’s a lot of calculations for this gal while I’m trying not to get run over by the crazy drivers here in Utah.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I’m off the freeway and then even more when I turn onto the road to the house. Hopefully, I can get used to this place, because I refuse to give up on making sure my life is lived fully.

Do I have food for dinner? Probably not anything I haven’t unpacked, which means it’s only small snacks. I should’ve thought of making a grocery run before getting to my house.

Maybe I’ll splurge on food delivery this one time.

I park in the driveway and get out of the car. I’ve got my satchel full of things in the back seat, along with my refillable water bottle and a pair of sneakers. Heels have never been my strength, so I pack comfy shoes for when I need some serious relief.

It’s when I close my car door that I see something out of the corner of my eyes.

I turn to look at the house across the street, one that’s got several cars out front and a faded-yellow paint.

Getting out of a car is Clark Denton.

“Did you follow me?” I ask, allowing my frustration to bubble over. So much for being calm and collected.

Clark turns and sees me. His look of confusion turns into a broad grin in a matter of seconds.

“I didn’t follow you. This is where I live,” he says, walking over to stand on the curb across from me.

I close my eyes and groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Of all the places they could’ve sent me, they have me living across the street from you? I thought I got enough of that growing up,” I say, wondering if it’s too late to negotiate my living situation.

“Well, at least you won’t have to go far for that clothing consultation. You can even come over for breakfast beforehand. How do you like your eggs?”

“I’ll be fine for breakfast, thank you. Why are there four cars in your driveway?”

He chuckles and says, “Roommates, Jessa.”

I don’t know why Clark having roommates is suddenly so funny, but I let out a laugh that’s hard to control.

“What’s wrong with splitting the bill?” he says.

“I just never took you for someone who loved people in your space.”

He nods and breathes out. “It was a change at first, but it was either have roommates or live in an apartment with cockroaches.”

I shiver at the thought of that. “You’re right. I should’ve thought of that first.”

He points to the light-green house behind me. “Are you sharing with anyone?”

Why does that question feel so intimate all of a sudden?

“No, I’ve got this place to myself.”

“Do you have any furniture? I haven’t seen a moving truck pull up.”

“That’s in transit. I was hoping stuff would be here today.”

I’ll have to check the tracking emails I’ve been getting from the moving company.

“Well, let us know if you need help. The guys would be happy to.”

I nod, knowing that’s the last thing I’m hoping for. “I should be okay. The moving company will help bring things in and set them up.”

“Sounds good. If you need anything, we’re very neighborly over here.” He grins and I do everything I can to avoid the sudden flip in my stomach. There’s no way I’m going to let any feelings well up for this guy. We know way too much about each other, and it would be weird.

I try to wave, but with all the stuff in my arms, it’s an awkward move all around.

I turn and walk into the house, wishing things were already set up. My brain can’t concentrate well when things aren’t in line and put away, so this is going to take some mental gymnastics to get any work done tonight.

After the consultation with Clark, I know I need to make a sound plan, or else there’s going to be a lot of wasted time in the next few weeks.

The sooner we can get the wheel turning on the fan thermometer for Clark, the better off we’ll be.

I might still live across from Clark, but I won’t have to work with him forever.

That’s about the only thing keeping me from insanity. Because as much as I want to hold onto my old feelings about Clark, the older, slightly more mature Clark is breaking down those barriers left and right.

My phone rings, and I turn it over to see my good friend Anna calling. We met our last year of college and have kept in touch ever since.

“I’m so glad you called,” I say when I pick up the phone. We’ve never been the type of people to start with pleasantries when chatting.

She gives a little squeal. “Oh good. I had a feeling I needed to call you. How’s life in the west without me?” Her tone went from bubbly to sad within just a few words. I can picture her with her lip jutting out, showing she’s still bummed I left.

“It’s off to a slow start, but I’m going to succeed.

You can always transfer out here so we can still hang out.

” I chuckle, knowing Anna is more routine about her life than I am, and that’s saying something.

She loves her job working as a clerk in a courtroom, and I love that she loves it.

I’d be bored to tears having to sit and hear all that legal jargon day in and day out.

“I’ll come for a visit once you get settled, but you know how much I love my townhouse. So, what have they got you working on? Or better yet, who is your project? Is he cute?”

“Why do you automatically assume it’s a guy?” I ask, laughing.

“Because I know how to research and I looked up the company you’re working for. Tell me, is he a smoking hot hockey player? I could definitely get behind that.”

I blow out a breath, thinking of the whirlwind of a day I’ve had. From finding out who I’m working with, to finding out he lives just across the street. “I’m helping my brother’s best friend, actually.”

“What? What do you mean?” Anna asks.

“I mean, Brock’s best friend from high school and college is the guy I’ve been assigned to.”

“Is he hot?” Anna asks, getting that conspiratorial sound in her voice.

“Anna! I’m not looking to date the guy. I need to keep my job since I just moved here.”

“Well, you won’t have to work with him forever. There’s nothing wrong with checking him out for the future.”

Normally, the thought of even talking about this with her irritates me, but with how much Clark has matured over the past few years, maybe there’s a chance?

No, no chances given here.

“I’m not looking for a workplace romance. And after everything with Dan, I’ve got to choose carefully.”

“Is it sad you were dating Dan before you knew me? I always said you deserved someone better.”

The truth hurts sometimes, and I still wonder how different life would’ve been if I’d gotten rid of Dan a lot sooner.

“Yes, yes, it is sad.” But I can’t linger on the time wasted. I learned a lot from that relationship, and I hope to not repeat most of it. “What are you up to?”

“Just getting ready for bed. So, what’s your future boyfriend’s name?” she asks coquettishly.

“Clark Denton. There’s not a chance of us going beyond a working relationship, Anna. The guy was a thorn in my side growing up.”

“Well, I’m single. Maybe you can scope him out for me.” She laughs, and I shake my head.

“You won’t do long distance or move here, Anna,” I say.

“True. But a girl can dream. Do you have a picture?”

“No. Anyway, the moving truck didn’t come today. I’m still doing everything on the floor in this house.”

“You need to go shopping. You didn’t even take that much furniture.”

She’s right, but I was going to wait until the truck came, just so I knew what I wanted in the house.

“What if I’m not here that long?” I say, the minor blip of worry filling me.

“Is this a trial run? I don’t remember you telling me that.”

“They haven’t said anything, but I feel this depends on how I do with Clark. I originally applied to be a public relations manager.”

“If they made up a job specifically for you, why would they terminate you that quickly?”

I search my memory, thinking we’d already talked about this. But then again, the interview and moving process all happened within two weeks, so chances are higher I didn’t give her the full story.

“I don’t know. My boss did specifically mention not to start a relationship with Clark.”

“Ha!” Anna practically yells into the phone. “So you thought about it.”

Why does she have to be so confident?

“Only as to why she mentioned that.”

“You’re a lot more gutsy than I am, Jessa. Moving across the country for what could be a temporary job is brave. But maybe you’ll have your Prince Charming and live happily ever after in the desert.”

I think about Clark and wonder if I’ll have to move back to Virginia with my tail between my legs if this doesn’t go the way I hope.

The guy is an anomaly, but I need to remember we’re in a client relationship and hopefully what I do to help him works.

“I needed some adventure in my life, but now it’s like I need to recharge that bravery.”

“Oh, my show is about to start. Call me in a couple of days with how it goes. I’m excited to hear about this journey of yours.”

I nod and say, “Thanks Anna. Have fun.”

I look back to the notebook in front of me and try to shift on the blow-up mattress.

Writing out a plan for the next few days, I focus on how to help Clark. I need to make this work.

My food order gets dropped off, and I take my time eating it, trying to brainstorm even more ideas than the ones I already have.

I’m going to makeover Clark if it kills me.