“What do you?” I wonder, thanking the bartender as he places down our drinks.
The woman in red leans against the bar and lifts her margarita. “I’m a sports agent.” She clinks her glass against mine. “Thanks for the drink.”
I nearly choke on my beer. Sputtering, I manage to swallow my gulp of beer and get control of myself.
The woman chuckles, amused. She turns in the direction of her sun lounger. I note the group of friends waiting for her. They stare at us, watching our exchange with humor in their eyes.
“Maybe you’ll represent me one day,” I call out.
She turns and glances at me over her shoulder. Her eyes trail up and down my body, studying me in in a way that makes me stand straighter. Damn, but she is sexy. “Football or rugby?”
“Football.”
She nods. “I hope our paths cross again then.” She continues to walk away.
“I look forward to it!” I call after her.
Her friends laugh and it isn’t until she’s back in their huddle that I realize I never got her name.
“Well played, mate,” the guy beside me at the bar comments.
I can’t tell if he’s being serious or sarcastic and I shrug, loping off to catch some sun and wait for my teammates.
But the following night, before dinner, I see her again.
She’s alone in the hotel lobby and I’m walking to meet Caleb and Sam at the bar. When she notices me, a spark of recognition flares in her dark eyes and she smiles. “Gage Gutierrez. Revered tight end from Notre Dame.”
“You looked me up,” I quip, pride rolling through me.
She nods. “I asked around about you.”
“Why?”
“Because you made an impression on me.” Her tone is serious, but her expression is playful. Easygoing.
I arch an eyebrow. “I didn’t even get your name.”
“I know. Hence, the impression,” she explains, holding out her hand. “Callie James. I work for Regal Sports Agency.”
I suck in a breath. Regal Sports is big time.
“You’ve heard of us,” she notes.
“Who hasn’t?”
Callie laughs, the sound light. Musical. “Do you want to go pro, Gage?”
I work a swallow. “More than anything.”
Callie’s laughter fades and she eyes me seriously. It’s as if she can see through all the bravado and bullshit, straight down to my soul. It’s as if she hears the sincerity in my voice and wants to help me achieve my dream.
“Then I’ll reach out. I hope we can work together.” She lifts her chin toward two other women as they approach us. “I’ll talk to you soon, Gage.”
“I look forward to that, Callie,” I reply, meaning it. Meaning more than my words convey.
I watch her walk away and I swear to God, I fall for her in that instant. Not that she knows it. Not that anyone does.
Callie reaches out the following week and three weeks later, I sign with her and Regal Sports. That agreement effectively ends my chance to share more with her than an agent-client relationship.
