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Nerves build in my chest at his tone. “Okay...”
Garret’s eyes grow to the size of saucers as he watches me stand from my chair and round my desk.
“Will this take long? I have some phone calls to return and a meeting right after lunch.”
“No, not too long. You should be fine.” Charles glances at Garret as I walk past both of them.
“Please get my coffee, and I’ll see you in a few.” I nod confidently at my assistant before I follow my boss down the long corridor of offices and enter his right behind him.
“Take a seat.”
Hesitantly, I follow his directions. “Is everything okay? Am I in trouble for something?”
His face instantly softens. “Oh no, Penelope. Not at all. Actually, I need to ask you for a favor, and I’m afraid you’ll tell me no.”
Now my curiosity is piqued. “Well, if you already know my answer, then why are we having this conversation?” I tease.
He huffs out a laugh. “Because I respect you enough as a professional to give you the opportunity to tell me no before I disregard your opinion anyway.”
I squint across his desk at him. “What’s this about, Charles?”
“Well, I remember when we hired you that there were professional boundaries you told me you didn’t want to cross, and I’ve respected them so far. But that’s been years now, and today a new client came by and... now I need you to take on this project because there isn’t anyone else I would trust more. Plus, you’ve met a player related to this team before, so there’s familiarity that I think will make the professional relationship work out well.”
“I already know I’m your favorite, Charles, so there’s no need to kiss my ass.” He laughs and nods in agreement. “But what makes this client so special?”
“I’m surprised you don’t already know. You’re usually so aware of any type of news...”
“I’ve been busy, in case you haven’t noticed. And the DoubleTree account is proving to be quite involved.”
“Well, if you take on this client, I will gladly lighten your workload, particularly because this team will need undivided attention. For what they’re paying, we’re going to give them the best. And that’s you,” he says, pointing a finger across the desk at me.
Now I’m irritated that he keeps dancing around the pertinent information. “Who is the client, Charles?”
“It’s the Los Angeles Bolts. They are looking to build buzz around the upcoming season given their less than stellar record in recent years. And they just signed Maddox Taylor as their new quarterback, so they have a lot riding on this season.”
My stomach drops, and I swear my face goes white.Do I look like I’m going to be sick? Because that’s exactly how I feel...
“No.” It’s my first natural response, but it comes from a defensive place deep in my gut.
It’s been six weeks since my night with Maddox, and flashes of that rendezvous still haunt me at all hours of the day.
I broke my one cardinal rule—no athletes—thinking I had things under control. We met, there was attraction, and so it should have just been casual sex like it always has been before. But my stupid mind played tricks on me, and then my stupid emotions got involved. What’s even worse is that I haven’t felt inclined to fuck anyone else since our night together, even though I think it would help me move past the monumental experience.
I think Charles is talking to me still, but all I can hear is a ringing in my ears.
“Look, Penelope. I know you said no athletes, but—”
“Charles, there has to be someone else. I am sorry, truly, but I have my reasons for not taking on cases like this.”
“What if I told you that I already told their representation you’d do it?”
Clenching my teeth together, I glare at him, contemplating how to murder him. Wanting to murder your boss for making an executive decision isn’t a healthy daydream, I’m sure. And a therapist might have a field day unpacking that one. I’ll have to ask Amelia when we have brunch on Sunday.
“Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re the only one I trust. I even told Maddox you were the best of the best the night of the Zio’s party. So how would that look if they came here by recommendation, and I gave Maddox and the team to someone else?”
“It would look like I wasn’t available. That I had other clients I’m committed to. Like—”
