I brace for a handshake and get a full-on hug instead.
“I hope you’re a hugger because I am. I’m Dante. This wonderful woman’s father.”
“Sure am. Thank my mom for that.” Once he releases me, I grin. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard great things.”
“Likewise!” He wraps Shay in a one-armed hug. “Sorry to hear about the hip, but I’m glad you’re letting it heal. You’ve been one of my favorite players since you were at CLU! Did Shay tell you?”
My eyes fall to her. “No, sir. She never mentioned that.”
She refuses to make eye contact with me. “It wasn’t relevant.”
Dante throws his head back like that’s the funniest thing he has ever heard. “Ever since she was little, she’s liked to keep things close to the vest. Not as open as me, more like her mom.”
Rolling her eyes, Shay mutters something under her breath that sounds likethis was a mistake.
His gasp is half offended and half humorous. “I’m a treasure, and you know it, Shaylene.” When he refocuses on me, I’m slightly dizzy fromall the back and forth. “I’ve been watching you all season, Cade. I was a little surprised to find out you benched yourself.”
I point at his daughter. “All her. She’s the one who reminded me about what’s really important.”
Dante’s chin lifts, and I feel like I passed a test. “Shaylene has always cared about theperson, not the career. So, when she puts time and energy into something, it usually turns into something good.” He pauses, keeping his eyes on me, “Real, too, if it’s meant to be.”
There’s something weird in his tone. It sounds like hope.
A sharp ring cuts through the tense silence, and Shay frowns at the phone in her hands. “Work call,” she says. “I need to take this. Be right back.”
Dante chuckles when she’s far enough away. “That girl. Doesn’t know how to turn it off.”
“Agreed, but she’s good at what she does,” I say.
“Most people don’t even catch half the things she does. Her mom taught her well. Made sure she knew she would always have to work harder and smarter than everyone else. Especially in a field like this. But you see everything when it comes to her, don’t you?” His elbow jabs my side softly. “Look, I’m not trying to make this awkward, but I know you two have some kind of history. I’ve been around long enough to be able to read a room. Especially a room where my daughter and her heart are involved.”
I roll my lips. “There’s honestly nothing going on between us.”
“Maybe not right now, but I see the way you look at her.”
It’s tricky to force my attention from her to her dad. “What do you mean? I look at her like she’s my agent.”
“Lies, but I love how much you respect her career. Makes me like you more, Cade.” It’s sort of terrifying how his energy has shifted. That easy smile is still there, but there’s something more thoughtful about theshape. “About halfway through the game, I noticed she doesn’t quite look at you. At first, I thought it was because she doesn’t want to. Then I realized it’s because she won’t let herself. Like I said, she has been like this since childhood. I can’t blame her mom for teaching her to protect herself. To lead with her work. To put her heart on the back burner. It keeps everything tidy, so nothing slips out of her control and hurts her.”
Our pink sticky note comes to mind. “She likes her rules.”
“She does.” A heavy hand thuds against my shoulder. “I’m not saying this to scare you off. Actually, the opposite. Whatever happened between you two obviously meant a lot to her, because if it didn’t, she wouldn’t be standing here with you now. Shay doesn’t let people in halfway. It’s full throttle or not at all. Do you want more with my daughter?”
“More than anything,” I breathe before remembering who I’m talking to. "But I’m sorta agent-zoned these days.”
Finally happy with the truth, Dante grins. “Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, just be good to her. That’s all I care about.”
Our agreement is silent. That if I have another chance, I’ll never let her go. That being good to Shay is easy, and if the opportunity arises, I’ll be good to her until the day I take my last breath.
“What did I miss?” Shay asks, eyes darting between the two of us.
“Nosy much?” As if a switch flips, Dante moves from protective father to energetic puppy, grabbing one of her braids. “I was just telling him how lucky he is to be working with you. They don’t make agents like you anymore.”
She narrows her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
And I swear, for a brief moment, she knows exactly what was said and is too scared to ask. She isn’t ready to hear those words yet. She may never be ready for them, but it doesn’t matter because I’ll be right here no matter what she chooses.
“So,” I say. “How about that tour?”
