Try.

Chapter 26: Moon Dances Over Your Good Side

"Thanks for bringing me along, Viv," Leigh-Anne said as we rummaged through the dress racks. "I'm really excited for this party, it's like, your first real outing with Harry, isn't it?"

I nodded. "At least, with his team. So I guess, yeah, in a way."

"Is it a gala or something? What are they celebrating?"

I shrugged and said, "Just a party to kind of celebrate the team and their success this year. I don't think any of them really expected to make it this far so it's a little commemorative, in a way."

"So," She drawled out. "Long dress or short?"

"Harry said it would be more of a black tie event, so I want to say long dress."

"Oh, yes, honey. Show off those curves with this then." She pulled a long teal dress off the rack, a deep v-neck cut that left little to the imagination.

I raised my eyebrows as I took it from her, but shrugged and said, "Eh, why not?"

We picked out a few more dresses ranging from long to short, trying to find the perfect fit. I wanted to impress Harry's teammates and his coaching staff by looking professional, but at the same time, I didn't want to look like I was going to the high school prom.

Finally, we found the perfect dress and Leigh-Anne made a point to snag Harry a tie to match. "It would look classy, don't you think?" She said, holding the tie up to the dress and it was pretty much the perfect shade.

"I like it," I smiled, and I paid for both before we headed out the door and onto the hustle and bustle of the streets. Portland was unusually busy today, probably due to the nice weather.

"I heard the Rockets are a pretty good team," Leigh-Anne said as we passed by a small clothing store with pretty mannequins in the window. "Their pitcher has a pretty close average to Harry's, I've been told."

"Yeah," I nodded as we continued on. "I think that's why he's so stressed out lately. I think the idea of someone who's just as skilled as he is intimidates him. I told him not to worry but imagine playing against someone with that high of skill? I can see why he's nervous."

"What's his name? Like, Fionn or something?"

"Yeah, Fionn Whitehead. He's insane on the pitcher's mound and his batting average isn't as high as Harry's but it's pretty darn close."

"What's his attitude like?" She raised an eyebrow. "Is it like Harry's?"

I laughed and shook my head. "That's where they're different. I've heard he's a complete gentleman, and to everyone's surprise, he's happily single. I think most people would expect someone as lovely as him to be in a committed relationship of like, six years by now."

"I'll date him if no one else will." She smiled. "He's young, though, right?"

I shrugged as I thought about it. "I don't know, maybe around Harry's age. He's been in the industry for about the same amount of time."

"This should be a really interesting game, then." She commented.

*

I stood in front of the mirror, my nerves getting the better of me. My hands were slightly shaking as I put my earrings in. I didn't know why I was so nervous; maybe it was because I wanted to look as professional as I could and impress Harry's friends. I didn't want to look childish or anything. Harry had a reputation and I didn't want to tarnish it it any way.

I sighed as I took one last glance at myself before heading out of the bedroom and appearing on the landing. Harry looked up at me as I descended down the stairs, his jaw dropping and he clumsily let one of his cuff links fall to the floor. He quickly picked it up and I watched him swallow and say, "You look. . . incredible, Viv."