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thirteen

Chase

Skylar sits across from me at the conference table. She’s paying attention to her boss and trying in earnestly not to look at me. But it’s not working. I’ve caught her several times, in which she would quickly divert her eyes away from mine.

I have donated a year’s salary, just about, to her company, with the strict guidelines that my donation will remain anonymous to the public.

Each employee working in the company is required to sign an agreement that prohibits them from revealing the origin of the funds.

I would make appearances, since I’m in the sports field, but no one would know that I had my hand in the mix.

My financial advisor has already scheduled to wire the funds to the philanthropy department of United Methods later this afternoon, and right now, we’re outlining, as I requested, what things the money will be used for.

Skylar and her team have put together presentations on each agency they partner with and have provided the amount that I donated will go to the schools throughout the city.

The other half will be split accordingly with the programs that were screwed out of funding recently.

That much information hasn’t been communicated yet, but will be by the end of the meeting.

For now, we’re still working on the school portion that I wanted to make sure that I was a part of.

Once everything is ironed out, my job here is done.

I shared my idea’s source and vision after some discussion.

Skylar’s boss goes around the table, and each person around me tells him what their next tasks are, and I’m impressed.

As everyone packs up, he stops everyone and asks them to sit back down for one more thing.

Here it is.

“Mr. Thorne’s considerable donation benefits the youth in our city and its surrounding areas.

While I may not have been completely honest with you all here today.

We’ll continue this meeting after lunch.

Your assistants have cleared your calendars for the rest of the day.

The next bit that I wanted to share with you is that not only did Mr. Thorne donate a substantial amount for schools to aid in their youth athletes, but he also has made the funding situation across the board with several of our programs a non-issue.

Every one of your programs will be fully funded for the next two years. ”

The table’s focus shifted to me. Suddenly, I have the room’s attention on me.

Well shit, I guess I should stand up and say something.

Do I stand up? I should just stay sitting. Standing up will look like I’m being a pompous ass, right?

I place my hands atop the wood of the conference table, my pointer finger tapping gently while I look inward and find the words that I want to say to convey my thoughts.

“Thank you all for this opportunity for me to be here today. Some of you know me as the Terrors third basemen, and maybe a few of your have no freaking clue who I am. But ultimately, before I was a Terrors player, I was just a kid. A kid whose parents were, and excuse my French, they were shit. But I found solace with another family.” My eyes meet Skylar’s, and I offer her a smile.

“The other family became my family and helped me afford opportunities that wouldn’t have been made possible.

The other day, I got a reminder of how my youth was, and I was moved to help.

Having heard about the great work of United Methods, I was motivated to meet and discuss how my ideas could be put into action.

So, thank you. I know this is the beginning stages of what can be done, but it’s a step in the right direction. ”

The table erupts into applause.

Do I stand?

“That was an impressive speech.” Skylar had waited patiently while everyone took a turn to shake my hand.

“I improvised. Did it sound alright? I didn’t sound like a total douchebag, did I? Should I have stood up? I wasn’t sure if it would have made me look like an idiot, but part of me felt like I should have stood.” I ask.

She laughs and shakes her head, “no, not a douchebag. And you were fine for sitting.”

I release a breath and smile at her. “Got any lunch plans?”

She shifts from one foot to the other and plays with the collar of her blouse while biting her bottom lip.

“I rarely take lunch for at least another hour,” she says, looking around. “But I guess I could take an earlier lunch, just to rebel.”

“To rebel?”

“Oh, you know, another lunch with you. Another pattern that we’re making here. All these moments that we’re stealing away together.” She winks. “Let me grab my purse and drop this off.” She holds up her laptop, then turns on her heel out of the conference room.

Unsure if that was a cue for us to leave, I followed her to her office. She’s mumbling something to herself as she turns and catches me in the doorway. She pauses and smiles.

“Ready?” she asks.

“For you? Always.”

“Where do you want to eat?”

“There’s this cool place on Demonbreun Street. I know the chef, and I’ve been dying to try it. The chef is the first certified executive chef in the state, and I’ve heard some amazing things about her menu.”

“That sounds good.” She nods.

I pull my cell out and open my contacts, scroll down to my friend Tucker, and type out a quick message as we walk to the elevator banks.

Once we’re outside, we catch a cab, and I casually place my hand on the top of her thigh. I watch her as she looks down at where my hand meets her body, then to my face to watch my expression, which I keep focused forward, and pretend that my hand on her body doesn’t affect me.

Once we’ve arrived at the place that I wanted to try, we approach the front double doors, and I knock on the glass.

“Wait, it’s not open?” she asks.

“I know a guy,” I reply, just as my friend Tucker opens the door for us.

“My man,” he grins. “Chef is thrilled to be serving you guys today. Come in, come in.” He ushers us inside and to a bar top overlooking the kitchen, and motions for us to sit.

He excuses himself, and a moment later, our chef comes to the table.

“Chase. How thrilled was I to get your text message? What brings you to Stitch ?” An older woman stands to the side of our table. I stand and open my arms for her, with Skylar standing a moment later.

“Patti. It’s so good to see you and finally check this place out. I’ve been meaning to come down here since you opened this location. I just finally have the time, and someone special, to bring with me.”

“Such a charmer. Who is this lovely woman that you’ve brought with you?” She holds me at arm’s length as she asks.

“This incredible woman is Skylar Hale,” I say, stepping back and placing my hand on the small of Skylar’s back.

Patti grabs the hand that Skylar holds out and pulls her against her. Enveloping her in an embrace for a moment, before pulling apart.

Patti claps her hands in front of her.

“Feeling adventurous? Would you two mind if I just whipped something up for you guys?”

“I would love that.” Skylar squeals, looking my way with a grin.

Patti smiles, then retreats into the kitchen, just beyond the glass. I hear a murmur of her instructing her staff. Watching someone work at their craft is one of my favorite things.

Placing my arm behind Skylar, I turn into her and lean closer, my lips just a breath away from her ear, feeling bold.

“Ditch the rest of the day and spend it with me.”