Chasing Jillian: A Love and Football Novel (19 page)

Chapter Twenty-Four

T
WO DAYS BEFORE
Thanksgiving, Jillian’s new office looked like a home-improvement warehouse. Boxes and boxes of holiday lights and decorations took up every bit of available space. A folded Santa costume waited on one of her desk chairs for the director of facilities; he had been Santa Claus for the past ten years at the staff’s get-together, which was happening next week. Employees were encouraged to decorate their work spaces for that extra bit of holiday cheer. Most of the staff and all of the players weren’t able to go home for Christmas because football season didn’t end until after New Year’s. Everyone pitched in to make the office festive during a time when many people missed their family and friends.

Zach Anderson and Tom Reed walked into Jillian’s office as she stacked a few of the boxes someone had left on the credenza behind her desk. She’d have most of this stuff out of her office by the end of the day. Right now, she’d like to be able to cross the room without falling over something.

“Good morning, Jillian,” Tom said.

“Well, good morning, guys. What can I do for you?”

Zach gave her a nod. “Have you finalized the arrangements with the Christmas Ships people for December 14? Is there anything else we need to do to make this happen?”

The players planned their own holiday party each year. Typically, the offense and defense had separate parties; this year, they wanted to celebrate together with guests. They’d chosen the Christmas Ships, which sailed every night between December 1 and 24 all over the Seattle area. The Christmas Ship Parade had been enchanting the people of Seattle for over fifty years. Thousands gathered on the shoreline every night to enjoy a bonfire, drink hot chocolate, and sing along with holiday songs performed by the on-board choirs.

It was also possible to rent one of the ships for a party or get-together. Those rentals typically booked up fast, but when Seattle’s pro football team asked for a Monday night rental, the local cruise company was overjoyed. The team and their guests would have a great time, especially since Tuesday was their league-mandated day off.

“It’s all set. They’re sending over the contract today, and you’ll need to give them the half-down deposit when we sign and return the contract. The full balance is due five days before the event.”

“Got it,” Tom said. He pulled his wallet out of his pants pocket, fished out a credit card, and handed it to her. “This is for the deposit.”

“I’m not sure they’ll let me use your credit card.”

“I’ll verify the charge if they call my cell phone.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t give someone else your number, Tom.”

“And I’ll pay off the remaining balance before the party, Jillian,” Zach said. “If you could remind me, I’d appreciate it.”

“Are you guys sure? It’s kind of a lot of money.”

“We’re sure,” Tom said. He winked at her. “Have fun with my card.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t give this to me.” She couldn’t imagine putting a fifteen-thousand-dollar deposit on her own credit card for anything.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said. “Then again, my wife has to put it out in the yard to let it cool off after the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale each year.” He winked at her. “Do your worst. My credit limit can handle it.”

Zach let out a bark of laughter. “Don’t tell her that, Reed. She’s going to pass out or something. We’re teasing you, Jillian.”

Tom looked around on the desk. “How about we get those folks on the phone right now, I’ll pay the damn thing, and then you won’t be worried about it, will you?”

Two minutes later, Tom and Zach were sitting in the chairs in front of her desk. She dialed Argosy Cruise’s offices, and she hit the speaker-phone button.

An employee answered the phone, and Tom said, “Hello. I’m Tom Reed of the Sharks, and I’d like to pay the deposit for our upcoming holiday party.”

They all heard the sharp intake of breath. “Tom Reed? Is it really you?”

“It’s really me. I’m going to be late for practice here, so let’s charge my card. Will you also send me a paper receipt in the mail to the Sharks’ offices? My accountant likes that stuff.”

“I’d be happy to,” the employee said. “Let me see how much you all owe.”

Jillian wondered if she’d ever get used to the sheer amount of money these guys didn’t flinch over spending. Their holiday party was the latest example. They wanted the best food, drinks, and a great DJ for dancing, but their white elephant gift exchange had a strict hundred-dollar limit. They also insisted on wearing ugly holiday sweaters to their parties. She couldn’t imagine where a three-hundred-pound offensive lineman found a sweater that fit him, but it happened every year, according to other Sharks employees.

Tom grabbed a sticky note and a pen off Jillian’s desk to write down the confirmation number for the deposit he’d just paid, thanked the employee, and hung up.

“So, Jill, are you coming to the party?” Zach said. “You know you’re invited.”

“I have to be there to make sure everything goes well.”

“You have to be there to keep Taylor out of trouble,” Tom said.

“Shit, yeah. Last year’s gift exchange got a little out of hand,” Zach said. “He’s a bit overzealous.”

“He’ll listen to you,” Tom said. He got to his feet and reached out to give Jillian a hug. “We appreciate all the help on this. Thank you so much.”

“I’m happy to do it,” she said. “Just let me know if there’s something else you all need.”

Zach gave her a hug too. “Are you going to be in your office for a little while?”

“Yeah. We’re not starting the holiday decorating until after lunch.”

They left her office. She glanced out into the cube area to see several Sharks employees shaking hands with them. The players didn’t often venture into the admin side of the building, so it was always an occasion when they stopped by. She pulled up her latest to-do list on her desktop. She could get a few hours of work in before she handed out the stuff for decorating. Of course, her desk phone rang.

“Hi, Jillian, this is Mary Ann from Argosy Cruises. How are you doing?”

“I’m just fine. How are you?”

“Busy,” she said and laughed a little. “I wanted to let you know that Tom Reed called up to pay the deposit for the Sharks’ party earlier, so I’ll send his receipt over in a separate envelope when the contract gets there.”

“That would be great,” Jillian said. “Thanks for doing that.”

“We’re happy to. You’ll also find the menu information in the packet; we need a count of who wants each entrée five days before sailing. There’s one more thing. I’m not sure what you’re doing tonight, but you have been such a pleasure to work with that I wondered if you might enjoy a little extra holiday spirit. On us, of course.”

“Sure,” Jillian said. Maybe they were sending her a bottle of wine or something.

“We have to reposition one of the boats being used as part of the Christmas Ships parade. It’s at the dock in Edmonds right now. We’ll be returning it to Kirkland’s dock this evening for our opening night. Would you and a guest like to ride along with our crew? We won’t have a choir on board or anything like that, but I’m sure they could find some holiday music on the radio for you if you’d like.”

“That sounds amazing,” Jillian said. “I would love that. So, I’ll need to take a cab or something to the dock?”

“Exactly. If you can get yourself and a guest to Edmonds, we’ll take care of everything else. Plus, it’s clear and cold tonight, which means a smooth ride to Kirkland.”

“I’d love it,” Jillian said. “Thank you so much for thinking of me.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Mary Ann said. “Have a great time.”

S
ETH GLANCED UP
from changing a broken shoelace on one of his cleats to see Tom Reed and Zach Anderson standing in front of him.

“Jillian told us she needs to talk to you,” Tom said.

“She said it’s urgent,” Zach chimed in.

“What’s wrong?” Seth said.

“Hell if I know,” Tom said.

“You know how women get,” Zach said. “She might need some help with all the decorations in her office or something. They’re really packed in there. I can’t believe there’s room for her to sit down at her desk right now.”

“You’d better go talk to her. Now,” Tom said.

“I’m a little busy—”

Zach and Tom each grabbed him by an elbow and stood him up. “Go talk to her.”

Seth passed Derrick Collins on his way out of the locker room. “Jillian’s looking for you,” Derrick said.

“I heard.”

He saw eleven of his teammates on his way to Jillian’s office. They all told him she was looking for him, and oh, by the way, maybe he should move his ass. He wasn’t sure why she didn’t send him a text or whatever. Maybe something really was wrong. Or maybe his teammates were jerking his chain. It really didn’t matter. Any excuse to talk to Jillian worked for him.

He took the last flight of stairs to the third floor at a sprint.

Jillian was sitting at her desk, tapping at her keyboard, when he rounded the corner into her office.

“I heard you’re looking for me,” he said.

“I am?”

“Reed and Anderson told me to get up here.” He gestured at the stacks and stacks of decorations. “Is anyone helping you with this?”

“Yes,” she said. She glanced up at him, and she swallowed hard. “Do you remember when we used to go on adventures together?”

“Of course I do.”

She’d be stunned if she knew how many times a day he thought about her. He loved the memories of places they went and things they did together. Well, before she got scared and pulled back a little, and before he knew he had to let her set the pace of their relationship. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

“Are you busy this evening?” she said. “I understand if you are.”

“Just laundry and some TV,” he said. He’d be canceling his plans as soon as he got back to his locker and grabbed his phone. “What’s on your mind?”

“Would you like to take a cruise on Lake Washington? The Christmas Ships people are taking a boat from Edmonds to Kirkland. We’ll have to get a ride to Edmonds, but it should be really fun. Plus, it’s free.”

“Why don’t I pick you up? We’ll park in Kirkland, and we can go to Edmonds from there.”

She picked up her cell phone. “I can get a reservation for us with Lyft. We need to be at the dock before seven
PM
,” she said.

S
ETH SPRINTED OUT
of the practice facility twenty minutes later and headed for his rig. He was due at Jillian’s house at five thirty, but he had the biggest errand of his life to run first. She’d invited him out, which meant things between them were back on in a big way. He wasn’t letting this chance go by.

He’d heard the other guys talk about shopping for an engagement ring before. Several brought the ring in to show their teammates before they officially popped the question. He wasn’t going to be one of those guys. He knew what he was buying. After looking online and in person, he kept coming back to a simple diamond solitaire set in platinum. And he wanted her to say yes (and put the ring on her finger) before he told anyone else he was asking her to marry him.

The guys he played with wore one-carat diamond studs in their ears to practice. He was getting her a little bigger diamond as a result. Not too big, though. If the ring was too big, she’d take it back, pick out something smaller, and send the difference to Treehouse.

Maybe he should give them a donation today for the hell of it.

He strode into his one-stop-shopping choice jeweler’s. Thirty seconds ago, he was calm and decisive. Butterflies were multiplying in his stomach with the quickness. His hands shook. He licked suddenly dry lips.

“May I help you?” a woman asked.

“I’d like to buy an . . . an engagement ring,” he said. His voice sounded like a rusty hinge. He could hardly force it out past the dryness in his mouth.

“Follow me,” she said.

She led him to a wall-length glass case of rings. He sank down on the padded bench in front of the cases. He shoved it back a little when his knees hit the counter. They must have sized the rings counter for short people or something.

“Do you have an idea of what you’d like to buy and how much you’d like to spend?” she said.

He clasped his hands together on the counter before he started fidgeting. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this nervous. It wasn’t buying a ring that scared the shit out of him; it was asking Jillian to marry him. What if she said no? He’d thought proposing in such a memorable setting was a great idea. He’d thought about the perfect place to ask her since the moment he realized he’d fallen in love with her, but nothing else seemed right.

Maybe it wasn’t the best place to propose. Maybe he should wait a while. Waiting a while, however, would require that he stand up and walk out of the store. Right now, he wasn’t sure he could do that. Maybe he should try some deep breathing or something.

“I know which type of ring I’m interested in.”

“Would you like me to bring you a few to look at?”

He coughed a bit to clear his throat. “Sure. I’d like to see a solitaire set in platinum. Nothing under two carats, please.”

Maybe he needed some water or something.

The saleswoman looked at him a bit quizzically. “Are you okay?”

“I’m nervous. I don’t know why.” He spread his hands out on the cool glass of the case. “May I have some water, if there’s some available?”

“I’ll get you a cup of water, and then I’ll bring some rings,” she said.

“That would be great. Thank you.”

He stared at himself in the mirrored wall over the jewelry cases. He looked freaked out. Plus, he could feel cold sweat trickling down his back. He couldn’t figure out why he was reacting like this. What was going to happen when he finally asked her? He’d better not pass out or whatever. He concentrated on his breathing.

The saleswoman returned a few minutes later. She sat down on the bench behind the counter and patted his hand.

“Does anyone else flip out over this, or am I just weird?”

She was probably his mom’s age. She wore a black suit with a knee-length skirt. Her dark hair was cut close to her face. Her eyes were warm, like his mom’s. She smiled at him.