Page 59 of Her New Billionaire Bosshole

Together, we close the scissors on the blue ribbon and it flutters to the floor. Cheers break out, and I smile as Elliot takes me in his arms, kissing me on the cheeks. When we turn to face the crowd, it’s filled with familiar faces, a sea of blue and orange, all here to attend the grand opening of the Haworth-Nelson Stadium.

The ribbon cutting ceremony, themed cocktails in the main concourse, then the most exciting event — a legacy game, featuring retired players from the team’s history. Even one who’s just turned seventy, insisting she can do at least two minutes out on the field, before someone will have to replace her.

This isn’t the first stadium in the United States that’s just for women’s athletics, but it is a step in the direction of bolstering this sport, giving our community a place to gather and support the team.

The Texas sun shines down brightly on the crowd, many of whom are in cowboy hats, swinging club scarves above their heads in time to the cheers.

Haworth-Nelson Stadium has a capacity of fifty thousand fans. Construction finished up about a month ago, with two of Elliot’s friends — Rhett and Steven — being the first to get a tour of the VIP area.

“It’s open,” Elliot said at the time, sweeping his hand from side to side, indicating the open panels where most other stadiums might have glass. “So you can still hear the crowd.”

Now, Ms. Haworth finds me amidst the crowd of people all flooding through the entrance, and takes my hand in hers.

“It’s excellent, Sophie!” she says, a little blue Bolts sticker sparkling on her cheek. She looks radiant today, her gray curlsset neatly on her head, little bolt-shaped earrings dangling from both ears. She’s wearing an orange paisley patterned dress that manages to be both stylish and on-theme. “The two of you have done such an amazing job! And just in time for the season to start, as well! I’m just so, so impressed with the job you’ve done on this.”

“Be impressed with Elliot,” I say, wrapping my arm around him and pulling him to my side. He smiles, holds his hand out.

“Ms. Haworth, always a pleasure.”

“Oh, please, Elliot. Why are you always so formal?” Ms. Haworth pushes his hand to the side and laughs. “I was just telling Sophie I’m so impressed with the management for this project. No going over budget or time line — that’s really impressive.”

“Well, our construction team knew they would face Coach Kendall’s wrath if the project wasn’t done on time.”

I pinch his side where Ms. Haworth can’t see, and he infuriatingly doesn’t react to it, other than giving me a loving smile. Elliot Altman, always balancing me out with his blasé attitude.

“Good for you,” Ms. Haworth laughs, before saying goodbye and turning to talk to someone else as we make our way into the main concourse.

It’s already filled with people, the crowd standing outside the food stalls, laughing and pointing out the various details to one another — legacy jerseys on the walls, the Bolts merchandise store, which is open and handing out bags of goodies for all the attendees. With the energy in this room, I already know game day is going to be electric in this stadium.

I’m just turning to Elliot to mention that to him, when my name rings through the crowd, loud, high, and joyful.

“Sophie!”

I turn, recognizing the voice, my mouth falling open when my sister barrels right into me. Laughing and squealing, I link my arms around her, flooded with more happiness than I thought was possible.

“You —what? You’rehere?” My voice is shrill, and people are looking over at us, but I don’t care. I haven’t seen her since Christmas, and it’s taking my head a long time to wrap around the fact that she’s here, physically standing in front of me right now.

“Turns out your boyfriend can be pretty persuasive,” she says, her eyes darting to Elliot’s. “Andhe has a private jet.”

“I’m aware.” There are tears in my eyes from laughing, and I can’t help it — I launch myself at my sister, wrapping my arms around her and rocking her back and forth again. “I justcan’tbelieve you’re here!”

“It’s a big day!” Olivia laughs, pulling back and running her hands over her hair. “Now stop — you’re going to mess up my hair.”

“Good to see you, Olivia,” Elliot says, hugging her and stepping back. “We?—”

But he’s cut off by Skylar. “Sorry to bother you, but the event planner had a question about…”

Elliot holds a hand up to us, “I’ll be right back. Don’t have any interesting conversations without me.”

The moment he walks away, Olivia turns me to her, squishes my cheeks between her palms, and asks, “Did you tell him?”

“What?” I pull her hands away, a thrill of adrenaline jolting through my heart at the idea of it. “No, no, I didn’t tell him. I’m not even sure I’m going to do it.”

“Oh, you’re going to do it,” Olivia says, her voice low, eyes shining. “I know you, Sophie.”

I open my mouth to answer that, to tell her that maybe she doesn’t know me as well as she thinks — maybe I’m going to chicken out, let my nerves get the better of me. But Elliot returns, a familiar face beside him.

“Olivia,” Elliot says, “this is Brandon, my brother. Brandon, this is Olivia, Sophie’s sister.”