Page 37 of Winning Play
“ButIlove sunflowers!”
Spencepointed to yellow lilies. “Yourmost likely candidate.”
“Ididn’t know you’re a botanist,”Kimlaughed.
“Mymom took courses to become aMasterGardener.”Spenceshrugged as he took a bite of his breakfast burrito. “Shementioned something about yellow flowers and allergies once.Youknow, like goldenrods?”
“Seriously?”Kimpaused to soak up the last bit of syrup with her pancake. “Manof many talents,” she said with a grin.
“Uselessknowledge.”Heshook his head. “Doyou have time for me to bounce an idea around?”
Sheset her fork on the empty plate. “Sure, what’s up?”
“Tryingto get the younger guys on the team to bond somewhere besides the pizza and burger restaurants or bars.”Heshrugged. “Someare determined to testCoach’szero tolerance for alcohol.”
“Evenwith your season opener in a few weeks?”
“Especiallynow.Imentioned it toCoachRamirez—he suggested organizing a fundraiser—maybe a volleyball tournament on the quad lawn.Involvethe other sports teams, fraternities, and sororities.”
“Thatsounds fun!Plus, an open field to anyone wanting to join or create a team?”
“Greatidea,Kim.”Heflashed a rueful smile. “Soundslike a gigantic project.Doubtwe could pull it together before the end of the semester.”
“Maybejust a mini-tournament?Limitto a certain number of teams and charge an entry fee.Setthe stage for a larger event… even next fall.”
Asmile spread acrossSpence’sface. “You’vedone this before?”
“No, butI’veseen a tournament like this whenIwas at the uni inVancouver.Youdecide how many teams could compete in the allotted time, build a bracket, and then recruit the teams,”Kimsaid. “Maybethe sports booster clubs could sponsor a prize?”
“Holdthose thoughts,Kim.Ineed to take notes.”Spencepulled out his phone and opened a note-taking app. “Theseare great ideas.”
“Ican help you organize it.”
“Thankyou—I’lltake all the helpIcan get.”
Kim’sstomach clenched whenSpence’sdeep blue eyes met hers.No, do not think about him that way,Martin.Noreason to swoon.Lostin her thoughts,Kimstartled when her cell phone rang.Dave.Sheapologized toSpenceas she pulled the phone from her pocket.
“You’reup early,” she told her brother.
“Icould say the same,Kimmy.YouandSpencestill planning to come to the game today?”
“Unlessyou’ve changed your mind and need the tickets?”Kimteased.
“Nota chance, and you know that,” he retorted. “LaurenandIhead toMexicotomorrow.We’dlike you to take her car in case you need it while we’re gone.”
“Iwon’t,Dave.”
“Ialso hope you can check on the houses of the families going at least once while we’re away.Also, collect the mail and get rid of the junk.TheChadwicks,Rogers, andPetersonsare all taking this trip.We’dappreciate it,Kimmy.”
“Ofcourse,Ican do that.Shouldwe meet you after the game?”KimfeltSpence’sgaze and looked at him with a smile. “Justwrite down all your security system info—and please program theGPSwith directions from my dorm to your house.”
“Laurensaid she’d drop the car off on the way to the game if you can drive her to the arena.”Davepaused. “Doyou need to get an on-campus parking sticker?”
Kimrelayed the question toSpence, and he mentioned the visitor’s lot near her dorm. “We’llbe fine.Ican use the public lot.Pleaselist everythingIneed to do,”Kimtold her brother.
“We’llgive all that to you—you’re more than welcome to use our plunge pool, spend the night, and make yourself at home.”Davepaused a second and heardLauren’svoice in the background. “Lauren’sasking about the flowers you received yesterday.Didyou track down the sender?”
Kimrecounted her morning. “Luckily,Idon’t have to tell someone thanks, butIhad to dispose of them.”Sheshrugged even though he couldn’t see her. “ButI’dstill like to thank whoever sent them.”