Chapter 2

Brandon Richards barely had time to breathe after the game before the media swarmed. Reporters fired questions about his game-winning touchdown, his future with the 49ers, and, of course, his personal life.

The usual questions didn't faze him. He knew how to smile through the cameras, answer professionally, and move on. But tonight, something felt different.

Maybe it was because he'd spotted her in the crowd.

Genevieve Hannelius.

The actress. The singer. The woman engaged to Peyton Meyer.

And yet, for a brief second, she had looked at him like he was the only one on that field.

A voice cut through his thoughts. "Brandon, do you have a moment?"

Brandon turned to see his team's PR manager motioning him toward a quieter hallway. At first, he expected yet another media request, but the moment he saw her waiting there, clutching the signed football he had given her, his pulse quickened.

"Genevieve," he greeted, keeping his voice even.

She smiled, but there was something hesitant in her expression—like she wasn't quite sure what she was doing here.

"I just wanted to say… thank you. For the autograph," she said, holding up the football.

Brandon chuckled. "You fought off the reporters just to thank me?"

Her lips curved. "I guess I just… wanted to see you again."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The stadium noise faded in the background, and Brandon found himself studying her—the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the way she shifted on her feet like she had more to say but wasn't sure how.

Finally, she cleared her throat. "I actually wanted to ask you something. Do you—"

Before she could finish, her phone buzzed.

She sighed, glancing down at the screen before silencing it.

"Peyton?" Brandon asked knowingly.

Genevieve hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. He, um… He wasn't thrilled that I came to this game."

Brandon crossed his arms. "Because it wasn't his?"

She let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Pretty much."

Brandon could hear the frustration in her voice, but he also noticed the way she fidgeted with her engagement ring—twisting it absentmindedly, like the weight of it didn't feel quite right.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me," he said gently.

Genevieve met his eyes, and for a split second, he saw something unspoken in them. A question. A realization. Maybe even… doubt.

Before he could think too much about it, she squared her shoulders. "Actually, I was wondering… would you be open to a prayer and scripture study? With me?"

Brandon blinked, surprised by the question. "You want to do a scripture study with me?"

She nodded, suddenly looking shy. "I told Peyton I had one scheduled with a family member, but… I'd rather do it with you."

Brandon didn't hesitate. "Of course. I'd love that."

The relief in her expression was instant. "Really?"

He chuckled. "Yeah. Where do you want to meet?"

She thought for a moment. "There's The Chapel in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints not far from here. Maybe there?"

Brandon smiled. "Sounds perfect."

The Chapel, A Prayer, and Something More

The Chapel in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was nothing like the stadium they had left behind. No roaring crowd. No flashing lights. Just peace.

Genevieve sat beside Brandon in one of the pews, holding her scriptures in her lap.

"This feels… nice," she admitted.

Brandon turned to her. "You don't get a lot of quiet moments, do you?"

She shook her head. "Not really. Between acting, music, and the whole… media thing, it's hard to just breathe."

Brandon nodded, understanding more than she realized. Football might be his world, but there was just as much pressure, expectations, and noise.

"Then let's take a breath," he said. "What scripture were you thinking of studying?"

She hesitated before flipping to Alma 37:6 in the Book of Mormon.

"'By small and simple things are great things brought to pass,'" she read aloud.

Brandon's eyes softened. "That's one of my favorites."

Genevieve smiled. "Mine too. I guess I just… I need that reminder sometimes. That the small choices I make—standing up for myself, listening to what feels right—they actually matter."

Brandon watched her carefully, seeing the conflict in her eyes.

This wasn't just about football teams or choosing which game to attend.

This was about her life.

The decisions that were pulling her in two different directions.

He reached over, his touch light on her hand. "You're allowed to make choices for yourself, Genevieve. Even if they're hard."

She glanced down at their hands, and for the first time that night, she stopped fidgeting with her engagement ring.

The Phone Call That Changed Everything

After the scripture study, Brandon walked Genevieve to her car. The night air was cool and still, but something about it felt charged.

"Thank you for this," she said softly. "I needed it."

Brandon smiled. "Anytime."

She hesitated, like she wanted to say something else, but then her phone buzzed again.

This time, she sighed and finally answered.

"Peyton."

Brandon couldn't hear the words on the other end, but he could hear the sharpness in Peyton's tone.

Genevieve closed her eyes for a moment, her jaw tightening as she listened.

Then, slowly, she spoke. "I told you, something came up."

A pause.

"No, I'm not coming tonight."

Another pause.

"Because I don't want to."

Brandon's breath caught.

The words were quiet. Simple.

But in that moment, they meant everything.

When she hung up, she turned to Brandon, her face unreadable.

"He doesn't like not being in control," she admitted.

Brandon studied her, his voice gentle but firm. "And what do you want?"

Genevieve opened her mouth. Closed it.

And for the first time, she didn't have an answer.

But one thing was clear.

She was one step closer to finding it.