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“We can arrange a meeting with me, but if you want the best—” I look to where Ava’s standing by the viewing area with Lacie. The two of them are laughing as they clink to whatever Lacie has raised her champagne glass to. “She’s it.”
I want to wipe the smile off his face as he stares at her, his gray eyes sparkling with whatever thought is playing in his mind. The way he’s studying her puts me on edge, making me regret the moment of candidness, because I’ve just fed Ava to a wolf. I know what these sports heroes are like: they create an image of wholesomeness that hides a multitude of sins. Maybe not all, but I see the way Warner is looking at the two of them—like they’re his next supper.
I wonder what his pop star wife would think?
“Word of warning,” I tell him as we start in their direction again. “The only relationships at CPM are professional. I don’t tolerate scandal.”
A low rumble vibrates out of him. “Gotcha!”
“Hey!” Lacie spins to us with a wide grin. “Great game!”
He’s about to say something when she adds, “Yeah, I know, it could’ve been better.” The roll of her eyes is an obvious admonishment of his modesty. “We won again. It’s what matters. Nobody wants to play us, not with the streak you’re on.”
“I’m going to start thinking I’m your favorite client.” He looks down at her. Lacie isn’t a small woman; she’s tall and voluptuous in the way lingerie models are.
“You wish!”
“You disappeared after the game.” Ava looks up at me with confusion softening her stare.
“I had to make a call,” I lie.
“Oh.” One of her hands grazes my arm, and when I tense, she licks her lips. Eyes darting to my forearm, she takes a deep breath as a blush tinges her cheeks. “Nothing serious, I hope.”
“No, nothing. Just—” I’m brought to a stop as a blonde pushes between us, pausing in front of Warner.
“Oh my God, baby, here you are!” America’s newest hit machine pushes between him and Lacie, a little unsteady on her feet as she holds her glass of champagne upright. She stands in the middle of us all like an attraction, and I don’t miss the way Warner moves her to stand between the two of us, as though he’s trying to hide her from the rest of the room.
“This meeting,” he sighs, pushing her out of our circle a little more. “I’ve got three days before we’re back so—”
“Wait.” His wife pushes in front of him again, her hand twisting in his T-shirt, the other barely saving the drink she clearly doesn’t need. “We’re meant to be going home tonight.”
“You go on without me. I can join you once we’re done.”
I’m about to tell him we can figure something out when he’s back in town, when she turns to Lacie and spits, “You’re his agent, right?”
“Holly.” Warner tries to grab her, but she smacks his hand away. “Stop.”
“She’s your fucking agent, so maybe she should do her fucking job!” She reaches for Lacie, but before she gets closer, Callum stops her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulls her back. The jolt sends her champagne glass flying, drenching Ava’s bright white top with its contents.
“Oh my God,” Holly shrieks like she’s in shock. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Ava takes a deep breath. “It’s okay.”
I can tell she’s being polite because the corners of her eyes are creased, and the tip of her nose is twitching.
Fuck, I’m not meant to know these things. Although, she’s been pissed at me enough that it’s not all that surprising I’ve memorized them. Right?
“Crap,” she whispers, looking down at herself as she pointlessly tries to brush her top dry somehow.
Her Henley is clinging to her tits like cellophane, and like it, it’s gone translucent enough that you can see through the thin cotton and her pale lace bra.
Shit, I don’t even have a jacket to give her. Instead, I hover my hands over her like that’s meant to help the situation.
“Excuse me.” She hands me her own glass, and crossing her arms over her chest she moves briskly for the restrooms.
I feel her mortification, and I have no idea what comes over me, but I thrust the glass in my hand at Warner’s wife’s chest. “Enjoy,” I spit at her when she grasps it, and as I turn to follow Ava, I make sure Warner understands I won’t tolerate this kind of crap. “No scandal. No public spectacles. She doesn’t go near my staff.”
The woman’s a fucking mess for someone who’s become the darling of the media.
