Page 45 of Forever my Love

He shook the older man’s hand and waved for another round of drinks.

By the fourth meeting, Reece had had enough. He could tell that Hailey was getting drunk since every time someone new arrived, another round of drinks was delivered.

She needed food.

“How many more?” he asked Aaron.

The man glanced down at his watch and then his phone. “Two.”

“Hailey needs some food.”

Without answering, Aaron raised his hand and spoke to the waiter.

Moments later, a basket of chips and salsa were set in front of Hailey. She gladly started eating the chips like it was caviar instead.

This was not how he expected the evening to go.

Still, Hailey looked so sexy in the little gold dress and heels that it was almost impossible to keep his eyes off her.

When she disappeared to find a bathroom, his eyes followed her the entire way. Excusing himself, he met her in the hallway when she came out of the bathroom and kissed her until they were both breathless.

“Later, I’m going to make this up to you,” he promised her softly as he laid his forehead against hers.

“Okay.” She giggled and pressed herself against him one last time.

When they made it back to the booth, he stilled when he saw the next man he was supposed to meet with. He knew him. Hell, everyone in the boxing world knew him.

Half of the people on the dance floor had stopped to take photos of the boxing legend sitting in the booth waiting to meet him.

“Is everything okay?” Hailey asked beside him.

Reece took a deep breath and nodded. “Do you know who that man is?” he asked, nodding towards the booth.

Hailey glanced over and shook her head. “Should I?”

“That’s William Billy Cox,” he answered, half holding his breath.

“Who is…?” Hailey asked.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “Only one of the biggest boxing heroes, who I’ve idolized my entire life.” He led her to the booth.

Reece’s hands trembled as he shook the man’s hands for the first time. He had to work hard not to stumble over his words as he introduced Hailey.

For the next half hour, he gushed all over the man, who seemed just as excited to meet him. William talked about Reece’s stats as if he knew them by heart. It shocked and happily surprised him that the man knew so much about his career. He was a nobody in the boxing world.

When the man stood up to go, he pulled Reece aside as they shook hands.

“Make sure you look out for yourself. This world can bury you quick. It can take the people that are important to you and push them aside. Don’t let it.” He turned and gave Hailey a hug and told her how nice it was to meet her before leaving.

“He was nice,” Hailey said as she touched his arm.

“Yeah,” he said, feeling a lump in his throat. “Damn, I didn’t get a photo.”

Hailey smiled and held up her phone. “I got about a dozen of them.” She showed him her screen.

There were images of him and William shaking hands, leaning in towards each other, talking, laughing, and shaking hands again as they looked towards her.

He hadn’t even seen her take them. They were perfect. She was perfect. He pulled her in and kissed her.