Page 42 of The False Start (Off the Bench)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

LILA

I wake with anticipation, my anxiety spiking when I see the gold dress hanging on my closet door. Tonight is the annual Avalanche Christmas gala and after our date the other night as we were lying in bed in post-orgasm bliss, Cal invited me to go with him.

Katie, who unhelpfully isn’t going, helped me find the perfect dress, a soft gold number that just toes the line between sexy and elegant.

Cal’s picking me up tonight at five and I took the day off, so I have all day to spend getting ready and stressing about meeting the entirety of the Avalanche staff and team along with a number of wealthy other notable Chicagoans.

Colten’s covering a meeting this morning with Dover Industries, and I know I’m going to have to put in at least a couple hours this weekend to catch up, but it’ll be worth it.

I’d given up the idea that I would be doing my own hair and booked a blowout at Drybar this afternoon, so at least my hair is taken care of, and even if my makeup looks less polished, I’ll still be okay for any of the photos that will inevitably be taken and posted online.

I stare at my ceiling and sigh in disbelief that this is my life.

I can’t believe that I was living in a state of such unhappiness and trepidation every day, but everything is finally going well.

My job couldn’t be better, unless I finally get that promotion.

Even pottery is going well. I’ve been able to consistently go, and have made a few pieces I’m really proud of, including hand-building a realistic ceramic football for Cal.

Cal himself is amazing. We’ve only been able to go out one other time since our official first date, but we make time to at least see each other most evenings, even if all he has the energy for after practice is a single episode of Love Island before he falls asleep on the couch.

He’s slotted himself in my life so seamlessly it’s almost like he’s always been there.

Or at least that there’s always been a hole waiting there, that up until meeting him had only been half full, like trying to shove a circle block through a square hole.

It went through, but it wasn’t right. I just had to find my square block.

I groan, a stupid smile on my face, and roll out of bed. If I’m not working today, I might as well do something productive until I have my hair appointment, and I am very behind on my Christmas shopping.

After a quick shower, I’m dressed and headed out the door and down to Michigan Avenue—the perfect place to get all my shopping done if I’m on a tight timeline.

Katie is always easy, but that’s the bonus of knowing someone for so long.

I even find gifts for my family with ease, choosing several more outfits for baby Gregory than I had planned but how anyone can withstand those teeny tiny clothes I’ll never know.

I even found an absolutely horrible argyle pattern hat that I know Theo would love.

Though I’m laden with bags when I return home, I’m still missing a gift for the one person I desperately want to find something for.

I’m at a loss of ideas for Cal. I’m hoping that when I find the right thing it’ll speak to me in the moment.

I have the piece of pottery, but it feels wrong to just give him something handmade, regardless of the amount of time and energy I’ve spent smoothing the clay and molding the laces just so.

But each store I went into, I found everything but a perfect gift.

Hours later, I’m ready and standing in front of my full-length mirror, when there’s a knock at the door. The flutters are back as I open it to reveal Cal, looking better than any one person has a right to, dressed in a black tux with gold details that match my dress perfectly.

“You are breathtaking.” He steps into my condo, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“You clean up pretty nice yourself,” I joke, my mouth drier than I’m used to.

“Are you ready to go? Or do you need a few minutes? I know I’m a little early.”

I check the clock on the stove.

4:58 p.m.

“You’re two minutes early, but I suppose I can be ready.”

“I don’t mind waiting,” he rushes out.

“No, it’s fine, I really just need to put on my shoes, and I’m ready to go.

“Are you wearing heels?”

“I was thinking about it. Why?”

“Just wear something you can dance in.” He grins.

“Dancing?”

“Nothing crazy, but I’ve heard they always get a good band. And if you’d do me the honor”—he gives a mock bow offering his hand—“of having a dance, madam?”

I playfully shove his arm away.

“Of course I’ll dance with you.” I turn to grab a pair of heels I pray are more comfortable than they look, before glancing over my shoulder. “If you play your cards right.” I wink, and his eyes darken as they take in the low open back of my dress.

His shoes click across the floor, and his hands grip my hips from behind.

“I’ll play whatever cards you tell me to.” His hot breath ghosts my ear, and I shiver involuntarily.

I finish slipping my shoes on, leaning into him for balance. He holds me steady, a solid presence behind me, and when I finish, I turn to face him placing both hands on his well-defined chest.

“That’s what I like to hear.” I kiss him softly, dragging my teeth against his lower lip before stepping away. He growls at the loss of touch.

“Come on.” I laugh. “Don’t we need to leave?”

He checks his watch. “Yes, unfortunately. The car is ready downstairs.”

I pull out a vintage fur coat I borrowed from Katie for the occasion with promises that it wouldn’t meet the fate of the last coat I borrowed and slip it on.

It doesn’t quite close, but it still completes the look.

So many people wear coats open anyway, no one will notice it’s a size too small. Okay two sizes.

A large black SUV is waiting in front of my building, and to my surprise Cal opens the back door for me.

He must notice my expression because he answers my unasked question. “I didn’t want to worry about how much I drank and then driving back so I just got a car for the night.”

“Oh, good thinking.” I step up into the car before Cal shuts the door and slides in on the other side.

The Field Museum isn’t a far drive, but it takes nearly twenty minutes with the number of cars lining up around the circular drive.

This is what I imagine walking the red carpet must feel like.

Everyone is dressed to the nines and stepping out of luxury cars.

There’s even the occasional camera flash as a particularly well-known athlete poses with his date.

My breathing comes faster, and the car feels hot all of a sudden. They’re all so small, like model thin. Hell, most of them probably are models.

“Hey, Lila.” Cal shakes my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“I—I’m not sure.”

“Deep breaths. It’s okay.” We inch closer to the front of the queue of waiting cars.

“I don’t think I should come in with you.”

“Why not?”

“I’m just not feeling well.”

“Lila.” He tilts my head up with one finger, meeting my gaze with his own. “If you’re actually sick, we can go back.”

“You don’t need to come. You shouldn’t miss your party.”

“I’m not done, love.” He puts one finger over my lips.

“If you’re actually sick, we can go back, and of course I’d come with you.

You’re more important than some stupid holiday party.

But, if you’re feeling nervous or scared or anxious, don’t be.

I want to be here with you. You look incredible.

No, you are incredible, and I want to introduce you to my friends and teammates because you’re important to me, and it’s important to me that they know that. ”

The tension drains out of my shoulders, and I slouch back against the seat.

“Okay.”

“Okay what? Are we going back home?”

“No,” I say quietly.

“That’s my girl.” He slides an arm behind my back and squeezes my shoulders. “You can do this.”

I take a deep breath. “I can do this.” I smile at him.

“Perfect timing.” I blink and look out the window. We’d made it to the front of the line during my little panic attack, and the fear is back in force.

“Come on. Don’t let it get to you.” He slips out of the car and opens my door for me. “Let’s go.”

“Basset! Basset, over here!”

“Who’s the girl, Basset?”

“That’s her from the game!”

Shouts fill the air as soon as we step onto the stairs. Cal loops his arm around my waist, and his touch is grounding. I smile at the crowd, flashes nearly blinding me, as he leads me up the stairs and into the museum before checking our coats at the table in the foyer.

The main room is filled with round tables, like a large holiday wedding. A couple hundred people are milling about between the tables and spilling out into the cocktail area where a large grazing table is set up down the middle, parallel to a bar carrying everything from McCallan to Coors Light.

“Want something to drink?”

I nod my head.

“Lila,” a familiar voice calls out.

I turn my head to see Theo beelining straight for us.

“Can you wait here with her while I get us drinks?” Cal asks him.

“Oh, sure man, I can introduce her around.”

Cal scowls at that. “She’s my date McClane.”

Theo rolls his eyes before shooting me a wink. “What do you say, Lila? Wanna ditch the grumpy one and get out of here?” His eyebrows waggle suggestively, and I burst out laughing.

“Where is your date, Theo?” I ask, pointedly.

He shrugs. “I’m flying solo tonight.”

“Right, I’ll be back in a few then.” Cal heads to the bar, leaving Theo and I alone.

“So, looks like you made your decision then?” he asks in a low voice.

“Yeah.” I smile after Cal’s muscular back disappearing into the crowd. “Yeah, I did.”

“Well good, I think you work well together.”

“Thanks, Theo.”

“Theo! Good to see you again.” A dark-haired beauty appears in front of us, throwing herself into his very much not waiting arms, knocking my shoulder in the process.