Unaware of Armi’s filthy thoughts, Hayden busied himself.
“Let’s put some club soda on it until you give me your pants after lunch for the dry cleaner.” Hayden took a bottle from the refrigerator in the corner of the office, and after wetting the napkin, dabbed at the spot on his thigh. Their faces were close enough that Armi could see the faint shadow of Hayden’s stubble and count the constellation of freckles dusting his skin, making him look younger. Softer too, than the tough, hard image he projected.
Electricity sizzled in the air between them. Hayden’s eyes met his, and desire smoldered in those green depths. Armi’s breath hitched, and his heart thundered. Perhaps Hayden had realizedhe’d strayed too close to dangerous territory because he jerked his hand away.
“That’s good enough for now. I’d better get to my lunch date. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Winters.” Without waiting for a reply, Hayden fled.
“Well, that was quite a show.” His mother gazed at him thoughtfully.
“What does that mean?” With a napkin fully covering his lap and shirt up to the knot of his necktie, he cautiously cut his chicken breast and ate it.
“It means that your PA is as smitten with you as you are with him.”
He started laughing—and he couldn’t remember laughing so long and so hard. “I didn’t know you decided to become a comedian, Mom. Please, don’t lie to make me feel good. Hayden works for me. He’s paid to be nice.”
Talking about his shortcomings to his mother always brought out her anger, and today was no different. Her eyes flashed fire. “You’re a wonderful man who doesn’t realize everything he has to offer. You’re good-looking, intelligent, but most importantly, you’re a kind person who deserves someone who loves him to pieces.”
“And you’re prejudiced.”
“Why, because I’m your mother? I’m happy to list your faults as well.” Her eyes twinkled. “You’re disorganized, a little forgetful, and too free with your time and affection in the hopes that people will like you.”
“Gee, thanks. In other words, a patsy. Don’t worry. I already know.” His appetite fled, and he set his fork on the plate.
“Not a patsy. It’s never a negative to care about people, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But a little too trusting and free with your heart? Yes.”
“Not lately. I haven’t had time for anything except learning the ropes here.”
She ate a bit of salmon and salad, before patting her lips with the napkin. “How did you come to hire Hayden?”
“Trevor. He and I talk every week, and I’d mentioned being overwhelmed. He reached out and said he knew of someone who could help me. Hayden became available because his former employer’s new wife took over his position. He came with stellar recommendations, so I decided why not?”
“Doesn’t hurt that he’s fabulous to look at either,” she murmured, and his face flamed.
“Mom,” he warned. “We have a strictly professional relationship.” He averted his eyes, and of course, his mother pounced.
“But there’s something else, isn’t there? I can tell you’re holding something back.”
As close as he and his mother were these days, Armi had no intention of revealing what happened.
“No. There’s nothing between us. At all. Can we eat our lunch, please?”
“Very well.” She picked up her fork, and Armi narrowed his eyes. Eloise Winters didn’t give up easily, but she kept to her word, and instead they discussed her charity work and his garden. He spoke of the path he was focusing on for the team, and she listened carefully. “That’s very altruistic, but you have to consider the bottom line.”
He huffed and tossed the napkin to the table. “Really? I thought you would understand what I’m trying to accomplish.”
She remained unperturbed. “I do, and I commend you for it. But you do need to remember that at the end of the day, this is a business. The team needs big names, not only from free agency, but from college players. While I love the idea of giving underserved colleges a chance, the focus needs to be on big names.”
“I understand. But there must be unknowns who are doing great in their schools and not getting the recognition.”
She thought a moment. “Find them, then. Send out junior scouts to those schools and have them report to you. But don’t ignore the moneymakers.”
“Father taught you well,” Armi noted with a smile. “You sound like Russell.”
“Well, they were attached at the hip. I often joked with Russell that he was closer to Randolph than I ever was.”
Recalling the odd signals he’d thought Russell had been sending him, Armi decided his mother would know better than anyone. “Let me ask you something.”
“What is it? And by the way, those roses are beautiful. Are they yours?”
