Long Shot: A Forbidden Basketball Standalone Romance (HOOPS Book 1)
Long Shot: Chapter 38

I have first-day jitters. Or maybe these are new-life jitters. New-course jitters.

When I dug out Jared Foster’s business card, who would have thought I’d be here a month later, in the offices of his new agency, Elevation? Yes, I’m entry level, but it’s a small company looking for motivated people who want to make things happen.

That’s me, I remind myself.

“Here she is,” Jared says when he strides into the small conference room where the receptionist instructed me to wait. “Elevation’s newest employee.”

“Hi.” I stretch my hand out to him, shaking firmly, even though I have to stop myself from flinging my arms around his neck for giving me this opportunity. “So good to see you again.”

What are the odds?

Me living in San Diego.

And August moving to Texas, if the reports of his trade are correct.

I never got his number, but if I want to replace him, I might be able to. Jared may even have connections with his agent.

I force myself to focus and not think about August, which has been hard ever since I landed last week. We are in the same state, in the same city, though both are bigger than any I’ve ever lived in before.

“You settled into your new place?” Jared asks, sitting on the edge of the conference room table with his arms folded.

“Yeah, I’ll have to thank your assistant for helping me replace it.” I widen my eyes and grin. “I’d heard San Diego was so expensive, but I found a great place that I can actually afford and childcare for Sarai.”

“Yeah, how about that?” Jared scratches behind his ear like a dog searching for a flea before clearing his throat. “We, um, just recently started the daycare for our staff.”

“I was so surprised an organization as young as Elevation already has on-site childcare.”

“Yeah.” He lifts his brows, a sardonic turn to his mobile mouth. “No one was more surprised than me. My, uh, partner insisted on it for the, um, parents.”

“I dropped Sarai off a few minutes ago.” I press my palm to my heart through my silk dress. “It’s my first time being apart from her, so the on-site daycare is perfect. And so affordable. They said it will be deducted from my check, and I’ll never even see it.”

“Yeah,” he says with a wry grin. “It’ll be like it’s not even being taken out.”

I force myself to stop gushing about how smoothly things have gone. He doesn’t want to hear all of this. I’m sure he’s here to lay out my responsibilities. I cannot wait to dive back into this industry—to do the thing I’ve wanted to do since high school.

“We’ll talk about the job and all the details in a little bit,” Jared says, as if he’s reading my mind. “But there’s someone from, um, human resources . . . kind of, who needs to meet with you first.”

“Oh, sure.” That makes sense. Probably to review benefits and sign paperwork.

“I’ll check in with you later.” Jared stands, prompting me to stand, too. “They’ll be right in.”

“Okay.” I sit once he leaves and smooth my palms over the slim-fitting dress Lo made me wear.

Right on time, my phone buzzes with her face onscreen. I glance over my shoulder at the door, taking the chance that I can make this quick before human resources arrives.

“Make this quick, Lo,” I say. “HR will be here any minute with paperwork and stuff.”

“I will. Sorry. I wasn’t even sure what time it was there.” She chuckles over the sound of a sewing machine in the background. “I’m on button-duty today. Sewing ten billion buttons onto this dress for next week’s show.”

“Paris?” I shoot a covert look at the door.

“Milan.” She pops a bubble with her gum over the phone. “Sorry. It’s all I’ve got to eat in here. These models are like robots. Seriously. They don’t require food to operate.”

I snicker, forgetting my nervousness for a moment.

“I was wondering if I can come visit when I get back?” Lo asks, still popping her gum.

“Oh, God, yes, Lo.” I release a pent-up breath. “I’m still settling in, getting to know the city. Come explore it with us.”

“I won’t be able to stay long,” she says, “but I’ve realized how much I missed you when . . .” Her voice trails off. We don’t discuss my time with Caleb. He hasn’t contacted me, and I refuse to put my life on hold another second fearing that he might.

Footsteps are approaching, and I practically drop the phone. “I gotta go, Lo.”

“Okay, but how does Sarai like her new daycare?” she asks in a rush. “I miss my baby. I know she misses me.”

“Yeah, terribly. We’ll FaceTime tonight. Gotta go.”

I disconnect just as the conference room door opens behind me. I’m about to turn around when a flower is placed on the table at my elbow.

Not just any flower. A gorgeous Louisiana iris in full bloom.

My heart gallops in my chest like a herd of wild thoroughbreds. A premonition prickles my skin, and there’s an uprising of the fine hairs on the back of my neck. My body knows before I do, but I’m still speechless when I zing a glance over my shoulder.

I meet those thundercloud eyes under lashes as thick and curly as I remember. Every detail of his face, his hair, his body, is the same, only better. There are so many things he’ll want me to explain—so many things I want to tell him, but right now his name is all I can manage.

“August?”