Page 119 of Playing Mr. Perfect

“With all you’ve been keeping up with, I have no doubt you’d be a dedicated employee. Let me tell you about the job, and then we can see if you’re still interested.” I explain what we’re looking for, and we talk about the areas in which she could take on more responsibility as time goes on. Clare asks intelligent questions, and we get along well. I explain the benefits, and the salary, which far exceeds what she’s currently earning. “Does that sound like something you would be interested in?”

“Absolutely. It sounds like a dream job. I love the office work I do for Mr. Park, and I’m good at it. I’m very detail oriented, and I never let anything fall through the cracks. You can call the references I have listed on my résumé. Melanie Park is his ex-wife. I spoke to her and to the others on the list. They’re the other employees who left the company, and they said they’d be happy to talk with you.”

“That’s wonderful. I will call them. Do you have time to meet the rest of the staff?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Clay

The sun is going down as Ben and his friends get into position for another play. These guys work together like a well-oiled machine. They’re hungry for training and hungrier for success. I’ve been pushing each of them over the last week, and I love their energy and enthusiasm.

Kent, the UVA quarterback, catches the snap, and the small crowd cheers from the sidelines as Ben bolts down the field with two defenders on his heels.

“That’s it, Jeremiah! Stay on him!” I holler as Kent throws the ball.

“Get it, Ben!” a group of girls yells from the sidelines.

Ben leaps into the air, reaching for the ball as Jeremiah jumps up in front of him. Ben catches it just above Jeremiah’s fingertips, lands on his feet, and sprints toward the end zone with Jeremiah and Zack, another defender, on his heels. The people on the sidelines go wild, cheering and whistling.

“Get in there, Ben!” I shout, my heart racing.

Ben dives for the end zone, and Jeremiah and Zack dive for him. They go down in a tangle of limbs, and the crowd gasps. Jeremiah and Zack climb off Ben, and there’s a beat of silence before Ben hollers, “It’s in!” and jumps to his feet as his buddies shout, “Touchdown!”

“Yes!” I holler with the crowd as Ben and the guys throw their arms around each other.

The rest of their buddies run down the field cheering and shouting as Ben, Jeremiah, and Zack run toward them. They crash into each other, building each other up and cheering each other on. I laugh as they head my way, knowing just how invigorating that camaraderie is.

“Great play!” I holler.

“Woo-hoo! Good job!”

I turn as my girl’s voice breaks through the noise and see Pepper, looking like a fucking wet dream wearing my jersey over a hoodie and jeans. She’s with Clare, and they’re each carrying several pizza boxes. Sammy and Trina are running toward us, hollering for Ben.

“Damn, check out the delivery chick,” one of the guys says.

“You can have the pizza. I’ll take her,” Jeremiah says.

“Dude, you better not be talking about my mom,” Ben snaps.

“No, man,” Jeremiah says. “I want the hot chick in the jersey. She is fine.”

I turn around. “Watch yourself, Jeremiah. That’s my girl you’re drooling over.”

All the guys laugh.

“Sorry, man,” Jeremiah says. “But damn. No wonder you’re in Charlottesville.”

I shake my head. “Go help the ladies, would ya?”

Trina throws her arms around Ben, and he lifts her up, swinging her above his head, earning giggles, while Sammy high-fives the guys as they head for Pepper and Clare, relieving them of the pizza boxes.

“Hey, guys,” I say as they start walking away with food. “What do you say?”

A collective “Thank you” rings out.

“Try not to eat like animals,” I say as they throw open the boxes and dive in. “Hi, Clare.” I set my eyes on Pepper, wanting to haul her into my arms, but I hold back, so as not to embarrass her. “Pepper. What a nice surprise. I thought you were working late.”

“I was, but I’ve learned that some things can wait, and others can’t. Like celebrating the hiring of my amazing new assistant, Clare.”