Deshawn cuts me off. “As much as I’d like to be part of the team, I’m technically not her client, but she’s been a big help lately. And I couldn’t miss an opportunity to kick your ass at mini golf.”
Cade is too busy putting two and two together to introduce himself. I nod, verifying Deshawn is the client I’ve been going to physical therapy with. If I would allow myself to look at him for more than a half second at a time, I bet I’d find a look of relief on his face.
It’s time to get the night started.
“We’re sadly missing Delilah, but thank you all for coming. I know mini golf may seem a little juvenile—”
“Shut up!” all six of them yell.
“Okay! Sorry.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Now, who’s ready to get beat?”
It’s hard to be a sore loser with a stomach full of fajitas and a heart full of love.
I stand and tap a plastic knife against my red solo cup of lemonade. We’re all crammed in a neon-green-and-black picnic table, but nobody seems to mind the closeness. “I know we’re all reeling from the loss, but congrats to Holly for destroying us in what was meant to be a lighthearted game.”
Across from me, Victoria pouts. “I wasn’t warmed up properly.”
Holly jabs a finger at her from the head of the table. “Yeah right.”
“Which means,” I continue, “whatever she wants us to say, we say it.”
Holly crawls onto the table and smirks down at us. “Repeat after me, losers! Holly Trent is not only the best mini golfer . . .”
Everyone sighs. “Holly Trent is not only the best mini golfer . . .”
An evil grin twists her lips. “But she’s also Shay’s favorite client.”
Beside her, Brett slams his hands against the table. “In your dreams, Holls! We all know it’s me. I make her laugh the most.”
“Yeah right,” Lionel snickers. “You annoy her too much, B.”
Victoria glares at both men. “If you believe it’s not me, you’re stupid.”
To my right, Cade chuckles. “Shay has made it very clear that I’m not her favorite, so fight amongst yourselves.”
Everyone’s eyes shift to Deshawn, who’s silently watching from the end of the table.
He shrugs. “I’m not even a client, but if I were, you’d all be in trouble.”
Holly claps three times. “I don’t care if you disagree! Say it!”
Even though it’s preceded and followed by huffs, everyone recites the final line of Holly’s required speech.
She beams. “Even if you all lied, you said it.”
Once Brett helps her off the table and she’s seated, I stand again. Emotion catches in my throat as I look at the people gathered around the table. Each one is special in their own way to my agent journey. They would’ve been happy and successful without me, but my life wouldn’t be the same without them.
I’m sure of it.
“Thank you for indulging me tonight. An all-client dinner is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but with our varying schedules, I never thought it would happen.” I pull a pinky sticky note from my back pocket. “Now for a little bit of work. Cade’s heading to D.C. tomorrow since being removed from the injury list this morning.” They cheer for their new friend while Cade’s cheeks flush. “Victoria and Holly, kick some ass at tomorrow’s game. And for my basketball boys, rest. Preseason will be here before you know it.”
Brett groans. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”
I laugh and take a seat. “Feel free to stick around and hang out for a bit, but that’s all I have for you—”
“I’d like to say something.”
My eyes fly to an oddly determined Lionel. “Oh. Sure.”
