Scoring Wilder(74)

On Thursday, we were huddled up and Coach Davis was filling us in on last minute things before practice ended.

"Don't forget that this Saturday we'll be going as a team to watch the LA Stars play. This will be a good learning experience for all of you that are coming off of high school teams. The level at which these professional athletes compete will give you a taste of what we need to aim for during our practices and games. I won't make everyone ride together, just meet outside the stadium at 5:45 P.M. Wear your black ULA shirts and jeans."

With everything else going on, I’d forgotten about going to watch Liam play.

"You're going to get to see your boyfriend play in a professional soccer game," Emily teased as we drove home. We'd filled Emily in on most everything that had happened over the weekend when we got back Sunday night. She had her mouth hanging open for most of the explanation, but by now I think it was starting to sink in.

"Penn will be there, too," I pointed out. Even though they hadn't made it official, Penn and Becca talked every day, just like Liam and I did, so they were technically together. Labels be damned.

"Doesn't count!" Becca clarified from the backseat.

"Um, yes, it definitely counts," I corrected.

“So Kinsley and I will go to that industry event with the guys on Friday, and then I can drive the three of us to the game on Saturday," Becca offered.

"Sounds bueno," I quipped.

"Mmm, that reminds me... let’s go get tacos for dinner!" Becca exclaimed. Emily and I agreed on principle alone. You don't turn down tacos in LA.





Chapter Twenty-Two


Liam and I had schedules that didn't sync very well during the week. I practiced in the mornings, he practiced until late afternoon, and then it seemed like he usually had some meeting or interview to attend after practice. We'd met for dinner on Wednesday and chatted every night, but by the time Friday rolled around, I couldn't contain my excitement about seeing him.

Becca and I had spent our afternoon primping and shopping for the perfect dresses to wear to the industry event. It was being held at a ritzy hotel downtown and Liam warned me that there would be all sorts of agents, media, LA socialites, and celebrities in attendance. Basically people that I had about zero in common with, so if all else failed, Becca and I could hang out with the coat check crowd.

We'd searched the mall until we found dresses that fit our body types perfectly. My silk mini dress was slinky and loose and looked like a modern take on a flapper dress. It hit just below my collar bone in the front, but it had a plunging back, see-through long sleeves, and gold sequins sewn in beautiful designs over the entire thing. The hem cut off at an almost indecent length, but because the dress was loose, it allowed me to show off my long tanned legs without making everyone wonder if I moonlighted as a lady of the night.

I'd spun my hair into a loose, silky twist at the base of my neck so that my toned back was completely exposed.

"I’m starting to get really nervous," Becca proclaimed as she finished touching up her makeup. I was buckling the thin ankle straps on my nude high heels when I glanced up. She had on a sparkly white dress that fit her body like a glove. It was tight, with cap sleeves and a short hemline. She'd paired it with some fuchsia heels that were perfect for summer. Her short hair was straight as always, but she'd pumped up her eye make-up.

"Nope. No. If you start to be nervous then I'll be nervous. You look awesome." I stood up and saw my reflection in the mirror behind her. She'd helped me with my makeup so that my blue eyes popped against my tanned skin and dark hair. I felt good.

She dropped her makeup brush and started scrutinizing her appearance, winking one eye and then the other and then smiling from different angles. All right, she wasn’t even getting ready anymore, so I waltz into the bathroom, spritzed us with perfume, and pushed her out the door.

"Stop winking at yourself, psycho. It will be fun. We'll meet the guys there. They'll hand us drinks, we'll mingle with celebrities, and then be on our way," I tried to assure her as we headed to the hotel.

I didn't admit it, but I was glad that Becca was taking the role of Nervous Nelly because it forced me to be the confident, cool one for the both of us.

“Oh my god, if Amy is there I’m going to talk to her.”

“Amy?” I asked as we headed toward the hotel.

“Poehler aka my best friend. Keep up, Kinsley.”

My cell phone started ringing and I had Becca answer it so I could keep driving.

"Kinsley’s secretary speaking, she's driving... we're on our way... probably twenty minutes in this traffic... okay I'll tell her... oh my god, no. Gross. I'm not telling her that... (laughter)... okay we'll call you when we get there."

Becca ended the call and dropped my phone back into my little clutch.

"That was your boyfriend. He can't wait to see you and he wants us to call him when we get there. He'll come out with Penn and get us."

I nodded. "What else did he say?"

"You'll have to ask him. You guys are gross."

I laughed and started to feel my shoulders relax. I think Becca was feeling better, too. We turned the music up and sang along the rest of the way to the hotel.

When we arrived, I pulled up in front so the valet could take my car. We both gaped as we pulled up into the driveway. I'd been to the Hotel San Louise once or twice for brunch with my parents, but seeing it lit up at night was breathtaking. The hotel was fashioned after the roaring 1920s. The facade was white with beautiful lights leading us toward the valet. Becca had texted the boys when we were about to pull up, so when I handed my keys to the valet and rounded the car I wasn’t surprised to find Liam and Penn waiting for us outside of the hotel doors.