“I understand.”
“Any questions?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ll ask as they come up.”
“You can text me when you need to know something. I’m available anytime and anywhere.”
He’d prefer to call, hear her voice, but he wasn’t going to push any more than he had. There was a quiet ease to their interaction, and he didn’t want to disturb it.
She leaned back against the chair and took a sip of her beer.
“What did you and Seb do today?”
“He let me drive around. Taught me how to parallel park. He says I will need to know how for the test on Friday.”
“Did he mention anything else you’ll have to do?”
“Reverse in a straight line, perhaps park on an incline. The wheels need to be turned in, and I must put the parking brake on. When I come out of it, I must remember to turn the wheel back so I don’t hit the curb.”
“He does know what he’s doing.”
“He said he went with his sister when she had her test. Oh, and I can’t forget to look behind when I’m backing up, not to use the rear-view mirror.”
“Newer cars have a screen on the dashboard that helps you guide the car straight back, but do as he said. I don’t want you to fail because you used technology. Oh, I’ll have to program your
Blue tooth so you can drive and talk at the same time. But no texting.”
“I know. That is in the manual.”
She nodded.
“You got back earlier than I expected. Did Seb have plans for the night?”
“He is binging on Game of Thrones. Is that the right word?” With her nod, he continued, “He said he’s got a whole season to catch up on. He asked if I wanted to hang out and watch it with him, but I declined.”
He wanted to be here when Alicia got home. He didn’t have much time to worm his way into her heart, not with spring training coming up.
There was animation in her voice when she asked, “He watches that? It’s one of Casey’s favorite shows. I don’t get it, but it’s extremely popular and this is the last season so there’s been a lot of hype around it.” He loved it when she dropped the pretense of distance. Her smile was genuine, and her eyes sparkled.
“What is it about?”
“It’s a fantasy drama based on a series of books by some guy. It’s in its eighth season. I’m not so much into fantasy, so I haven’t read them.”
Interested in learning more, he asked, “What do you read?”
“Mystery, true crime, biographies. Real life.”
“No fantasies for you?”
“I’m living my fantasy. I don’t need dragons, thrones, or crowns.”
He knew what she meant. He was living his as well and it was because of her.
“What happens when we are in Florida?”
“You’ll live in one of the condos we leased. I’ve assigned you to a place with Seb and Rique.”
“Seb has already asked if I want to share expenses with him.” He smiled and added, “Be roomies.”
She graced him with a smile in return. “There won’t be many expenses. The team picks up the cost for the condo and utilities.”
“We will need three bedrooms. Is that possible?”
“I guess you haven’t learned yet that anything’s possible here.”
“For a price.”
“Of course. There has to be equity. Supply and demand, the cornerstone of American economics.”
“You’ll be living there as well?”
“I will. If Case decides to go, we’ll live together. Be roomies.”
“If? I thought she was going to be working for her father.”
She scowled, hesitated, and explained the problem Case was having with her fiancé.
He could think of only one reason Greg might deny her the job.
“Does he know about her relationship with Seb?”
“No. There wasn’t any need to tell him. Now that Seb is playing for her father, it changes things.”
“How?”
“Seb might make a reference to working with Mac before or… being in school with her. Greg knows there was a high school romance but doesn’t know with whom.”
“Then why is Greg being difficult? Is there no trust there?”
She was biting her lip. When she looked up and met his eyes, he read annoyance.
“Maybe. Or maybe he just wants her under his thumb.”
“And Casey would allow this?”
“I’ll be extremely disappointed if she does, but there’s more to it than just that.”
He waited but she didn’t tell him what it was.
He could only wonder if it have to do with Seb. He had a feeling everything concerning Casey had to do with the man who’d left her.
“When will she decide?”
She murmured, “Knowing Case, the day before she leaves. She’s a procrastinator. There’s also the fact that she doesn’t like conflict.”
“Will you talk to Mac about it?”
She shook her head. “She asked me not to.”
“But you thrive on conflict.”
She flicked him a smile.
“And you know that how?”
“Anyone who negotiates for a living must. And as you are good at what you do, it follows.”
He pulled the laptop closer and opened it. After typing Alicia Nilsson into the box, he hit enter.
Several interesting sites came up, along with some images of her.
“I have already read these articles, but I go back and re-read them occasionally.”
Every time, he gleaned another tidbit about her he’d missed before.
He clicked the first headline.
Greenliner Front Office.
Nilsson headlines a host of promotions and hires by Greenliners on Thursday.
It went on to name a number of people associated with the team. A Spanish translator, assistant director of player development, a behavioral health specialist, mental heath coach, and director of amateur scouting.
“This doesn’t tell a searcher much, but the piece is by none other than Robert Nilsson. Does your father write about you a lot?”
She pulled at the laptop to see what article he was reading. It was just a short news piece on the hires that had taken place the year she got her promotion.
“That’s nothing in-depth, just informative. He does that
