“I really hate it when you get in your head.” Holly grips my face and leans in, giving me a great view of the freckles across her nose. “SinceI met you, you’ve walked into every room with your head held high. You’re not going to start doubting yourself tonight because you’re doing something special for your clients.”
“I could have at least taken y’all to a real golf course,” I say, words warped by the fingers squishing my cheeks.
“Why? Almost everything is better when it’s mini!”
Finally, she accomplishes her goal when I laugh. Holly’s a little younger than me, which is probably why I see her as a little sister. She will always be my first client.
“Thank you. I needed that.”
“Good,” she grins. “I was ready to slap some sense into you.”
The bell over the door chimes as the first person arrives. Bringing five professional athletes to a popular venue in Charlotte would’ve been risky, so on my own dime, I reserved the place for the entire evening.
“Shay Shay!” Brett hollers. “Where areyouuuuuuu?”
“Front desk.” I stand, preparing for a look of pure disappointment, but when Brett and Lionel round the corner, their eyes are wide, grinning like two kids with free rein in a candy store.
“Mini golf?” Brett pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. “Hell yeah!”
An adorable dimple appears in Lionel’s russet cheeks. “I knew you’d plan something fun. This beats a fancy dinner any day.”
I look up at the two mountainous men. “You guys are happy?”
“More than!” Brett’s white shirt glows blue under the UV lights. “Think of the most powerful word to describe happiness, and that’s me.”
“Ecstatic?” Holly offers.
“Better than that. Like frolicsome!” Then like the giant teddy bear he is, he starts skipping around the room until a glowing mushroom captures his attention.
Holly hops off the counter when the door chimes again and flicks her blonde ponytail in my face. “Told you they’d love it.”
Victoria’s bright white sneakers, neon green dress, and newly turquoise coils match the vibe perfectly. “Nowthisis a fun night out! Y’all better get ready for a smackdown. Not to brag, but you’re looking at the mini golf champion of Houston four years in a row.”
Feigning a shiver, Holly rubs her arms. “Ooooo. I’msoooooscared.”
The teammates bicker before dissolving into giggles about the new drama between their strength coach and head athletic trainer. Apparently one margarita turned into ten and escalated into a very messy one-night stand.
I’m still smiling when Cade enters, looking effortlessly cool. His locs are pulled back, giving everyone a clear look at his sculpted jaw and flawless complexion. Denim shorts hang above his knee, paired with a fitted white tee that hugs his chest and an unbuttoned navy flannel. I didn’t want to spoil tonight’s activity, so I made sure to tell them all to wear close-toed shoes and dress comfortably.
Cade guessed dodgeball, which would have been fun too.
“Agent Shay.” There’s something sweet about his professional tone, and my heart soars because he takes my job seriously, even with our history and his confessed feelings.
Before I can respond, Cade is lifted into the air.
“Cade Owens! It’s nice to finally meet you! I’m Brett. You and Dawson are the reason I like baseball now,” he babbles, sounding more like a fanboy than a fellow professional athlete.
Lionel appears, never too far from his teammate. Once Cade’s feet are back on the ground, he extends his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lionel. This idiot’s teammate.”
Holly and Victoria swarm him too, overly eager to meet the man who demanded to work with me. But when the bell chimes again, I almost squeal. It can only be one person.
“Deshawn! You made it.”
His face brightens as he finds us gathered in the middle of the room. After continuing intense physical therapy, his quad’s muscle tone is returning. With him returning to practice soon, he deserved an evening to not worry about basketball or recovery.
“Miller!” Brett shouts. “When did you sign with Shay?”
“He’s not—”
