Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
My heart pangs. Shoot. I think she’s warning me she’ll pick Bellamy over me if it comes down to it. Which, of course, I’ve known all along.
I clear my throat. “Ginny, there’s something important I need to tell you before we go any further. Something that might change your mind about giving me this new position.” I swallow hard. “I’m in love with Luca Maguire. I love him, and he loves me. I just told my father about our relationship a few minutes ago, and I’ll tell your nephew after you, because I don’t want to hide my true feelings for Luca any longer, even if it means Mr. Bellamy might fire me.” I’m practically panting with stress, and my stomach is queasy. But even so, it feels mostly amazing to finally come clean and set myself free from the stress of secrecy.
Ginny looks more amused than anything else. “Chelsea, my dear, considering how closely you and Luca have worked together, I would have been more shocked to find out something wasn’t going on between you two.” She giggles at my expression of disbelief. “You’re both young, single, and gorgeous, so why wouldn’t you get together?”
“But I’m on the coaching staff.”
“Actually, you’re still listed on payroll as your father’s personal assistant. And in that role, you’ve got exactly zero authority over Luca or any other player.” She smiles. “Perhaps you’ve felt like Luca’s boss all this time, and good for you for seeing things that way, but I assure you the organization only knows what’s on the payroll records and org chart.” She takes a happy swig of her bubbly. “Honestly, I think there’s a stronger argument that Luca, not you, had the upper hand and therefore might have stumbled in terms of the employee handbook.” She chuckles. “But I certainly won’t lose sleep wondering about that, if you and Luca won’t.” She laughs at my utterly shocked expression and pats my hand. “Oh, honey. It’s not a problem. I’ll tell HR to draw something up for you two to sign. Whatever’s necessary to cover every conceivable ass cheek—yours, Luca’s, and the organization’s—and that will be that.” She snickers. “Either way, it’ll be a moot point soon, once you start working for me in operations. That is, of course, if you’ll accept my offer?”
“Of course I will! Thank you. Yes!” I hug her in gratitude while holding back joyful tears.
“Now, go have fun,” Ginny coos with a pat to my back before releasing me. “We’ll handle the paperwork next week.”
“Do I need to wait till then to tell anyone about this?”
“Of course not. The job is yours as of right now. Pop some champagne and tell anyone and everyone.”
“Oh my gosh. What’s my job title, exactly?”
She twists her lips. “Good question. I was thinking ‘special advisor and liaison to the owner.’ But I’d welcome your ideas.”
I bite my lower lip. “Well, since you said I’ll be handling analytics as part of my job, I’d love it if that word could be part of my title.”
A light bulb goes off on Ginny’s face and she straightens up. “Chelsea Parker, I’m hereby creating an analytics department at the Mastodons. It’s a department of one for now, which means you’re the head of it!” She giggles happily. “Congratulations, Ms. Parker. You’re now officially the first female head of analytics in the NFL.” As I lose my mind, Ginny says, “Now go celebrate. And don’t bother talking to my nephew about this or anything else. I’ll let him know he can either get with my new ideas or step aside into a new role.” She winks. “Like I said, my nephew answers to me. And now, lucky me, so do you.”
CHAPTER 42
Luca
WHEN CHELSEA REACHES me after talking to Ginny, she’s out of breath and wild-eyed. In a rush of excitement, she shouts her good news at me above the blaring music. First, about her successful conversation with her father and brother, and then about her mind-blowing conversation with Ginny.
Feeling overcome with euphoria, love, and joy, I wrap Chelsea in my arms and congratulate her, and we proceed to whisper breathlessly about our mutual elation and relief. With her body pressed against mine, it’s taking all my willpower not to kiss her, right here and now in front of everyone. But I can’t take that next step until I know that’s what she wants, too.
“Does this make me your boyfriend now?” I ask, leaning back from our embrace. “Officially, I mean. Or do I need to be your secret boy toy a little while longer?”
Chelsea beams a beautiful smile at me. “You’re officially my boyfriend. Everywhere and all the time.”
My heart rate quickens. “So … can I kiss you?”
“Please do.” Chelsea puckers and I gleefully peck her lips, just to be safe, even though I want to take her into my arms and kiss her passionately.