“No, it’s not going to be like that,” I say, shaking my head. “You know I can’t leave my mom, and their schedule is crazy. I already looked. I mean they get like five days off total. I’m not going to ask him to choose me over baseball. This is his career.”
This is the same pep talk I’ve had with myself since we kissed. Most people would say it’s just a kiss, something you can do with anyone, but for me it was different. He’s different. He’s kind. His hands rough and calloused. I thought they’d feel hard against my skin, but I found his touch to be soft, and he knows what he wants. Cooper pursued me, staying front and center in my life even when I denied him, all because he wants me.
“I’m sure, if he wants to be in your life, he’ll do whatever needs to be done.” Stella makes everything seem so cut and dried.
“He has a career that isn’t in Florida, but fifteen hundred miles away—”
“How do you know?” she asks, interrupting me.
“I looked it up,” I reply, embarrassed.
Stella laughs. “Of course you did, because you like him.”
“I do, Stella, and I don’t want to. My heart is a freaking traitor, and Cooper is just chipping away at the façade so easily.”
“How so?” She pulls the chair from the front of my desk around to where I am and sits.
“It’s stupid, really, but there are little things that I’ve noticed. Like when we’re together, he’s always looking at me. His eyes aren’t wandering around but completely focused on me. The way he smiles, it makes me wonder what he’s thinking every single time, but it’s also the intrigue and the love he has for his job. The passion behind his words reminds me of how I feel working here.”
“You’re in love,” she says, drawing out the word love.
“I am not. I barely know him. We’ve been on one disastrous date and spend most of our time talking on the phone. Love isn’t even in my vocabulary.”
“Whatever you say. Give me details later. I’m off to grab some lunch.”
I look at the clock, and my eyes go wide. “Shit, I gotta go.” I kiss her on the cheek as I scramble to grab my bag. I’m changing my clothes before I get to the park so I’m more comfortable.
“Hey, maybe next time you can take your best friend?”
“Yeah, I’ll ask Cooper. He got me the ticket.”
Stella waves and leaves my office, shutting the door behind her so I can change. I tell my secretary to call only if it’s an emergency and book it to my car. One privilege of holding the position that I do is that my car is close. If I were still with the giraffes, I’d have an almost thirty-minute walk back through the parking lot.
* * *
The atmosphere at the ballpark is energizing. From the retirement community to the kids, everyone is here to enjoy the first baseball game of the season. I check in at will call, giving my name to the lady behind the tempered glass.
“Oh, you’re Cooper’s guest for the day,” she says, sliding an envelope under window. I step aside and open the envelope, revealing my ticket and a note.
Ainsley,
To say I’m excited that you’re watching me play today is an understatement. Thank you for saying yes! Please read all the notes.
I’ll see you after the game.
Cooper Bailey #25
P.S. I’m counting this as a date
I reread the note before tucking it into my pocket. He also gave me vouchers for food, which I find comical, but I guess if this is a date to him, then he’s paying for my food, and there’s a note saying that I have something waiting for me at the gift shop.
My ticket is scanned, and once I step inside the concourse, I can finally grasp what Cooper is saying about the smells of the ballpark. The hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels invite you in, welcoming you to enjoy the day. I make my way to the gift shop and present the coupon that Cooper left for me. The lady behind the counter smiles and hands me a bag.
“Enjoy the game,” she says.
“Thank you.”
Finding a spot along the wall, I peek inside the bag. There’s a hat and a T-shirt with Bailey 25 stenciled on the back. I like the thought, but I’m not sure I want to wear it, until I see a group of younger girls all wearing his shirt. Finding the nearest bathroom, I quickly change and then make sure I have my hot dog, popcorn, and lemonade before locating my seat.