Page 52 of Lucky 22

“Are you nervous?” he asks.

“No.” But then I realize that’s a lie. “A little.”

He kisses my hand. “You have nothing to worry about.Everyone’s going to love you.”

I’m a people person, so I’m not afraid of talking to anyone.Unfortunately, I’m not very familiar with this world, and I don’t want to do orsay anything to make Christian look bad. This isn’t just about me. I’m here ashis plus-one, his girlfriend, his teammate.

“Just be yourself,” he says gently.

When we step out into the lobby, several of his teammatesare already there with their wives, and we quickly join them. He makes all theintroductions, and my head spins as I try to keep up and remember all thenames.

We walk en masse to the ballroom,and I relax. I’ve got this.

The night passes in a blur. I lose count of all the people Imeet, but everyone’s interested in my career, who I know, and what movies andshows I’ve been in.

“Who’s the most famous actor you’ve ever worked with?”

“How many movies have you starred in?”

“Do you get to keep the clothes you wear on TV?”

“Who’s the hottest actor you got to kiss?”

This is typical of any group setting when people meet me forthe first time. So, really, I’m right at home. I exchange phone numbers withseveral people, and we plan to see each other when I’m in town next time.Overall, I would call the night a success.

The following day, the team manager’s wife hosts a luncheonfor just the wives and girlfriends.

I’m a little nervous because I won’t have Christian standingright beside me. This will be me on my own. I don’t know why I’m nervous.Everyone was super friendly last night, so why wouldn’t they be today, right?

However, before Christian left for practice this morning, hesat me down for a little pep talk.

Somehow, it felt a little like a warning.

“Okay, I know you met many of these ladies last night, butthis will be way more one-on-one. You should be friends with everyone, butclose with no one, because players move around and get traded all the time.Girlfriends come and go, and they don’t really treat you as though you’re hereto stay until you have a ring on your finger or are married. It’s like theywant to make sure you stick around before they let you into the fold.”

“Um, okay. Wow. I guess that makes sense.” I pause, nibblingmy lip. “How do you know all this?”

He chuckles. “I’ve been doing this for a while, and eventhough I’ve never brought a girl around, I’ve heard the stories. I told you Iwould always set you up for success. So, if there’s anything I know, I want youto know it, too.” After a very nice kiss, he says, “I don’t think you haveanything to worry about. Everyone’s going to like you, and I hear theseluncheons are a lot of fun. So, go and enjoy yourself. I’ll see you tonight fordinner.”

I replay those words in my head as I make my way down in theelevator.

You should be friends with everyone, but close with noone.

Maybe that’s just him being overly cautious. This is just afirst meeting. No one’s going to do or say anything I need to be worried about.

You should be friends with everyone, but close with noone.

But what if they do or say something? What should Isay? What should I do?

I don’t have the answers. When the elevator doors open inthe lobby, I put on my most confident smile and make my way to the luncheon.

It’s all very nice and elegant, and held in a smallerballroom than we were in last night. We have assigned seating, so it kind offorces you to get to know those at your table. The centerpiece lists tenquestions we can ask each other, and I realize fairly quickly that I’m sittingwith women who’ve been here before. I’m the new girl, so they’re all primarilylooking at me.

I suddenly have a flashback to the panel interviews I usedto have during my pageant days. My palms are a little sweaty, and my smilefeels forced. Before I can even begin to relax, the questions start.

“When did you and Christian start dating?”

“Christian has never brought a woman to any of the teamevents before.”