“Oh, yeah, that’s right. My lips are sealed,” her sister-in-law said and pretended to zip her lips.
“I had a feeling when I saw him that day at the boutique that he played some type of sport. The man is huge,” Dorian said. “But why’d you guys break up? When we ran into him at the boutique, you looked as if you wanted to smack him.”
Cree snorted. “At the time, I did. I was shocked to see him because it had been years.”
“So what happened?” Nyla asked, stuffing her face with food.
“Shortly after I started my sports agency, Tristan became one of my clients. Which complicated our relationship.”
Cree explained she had recently graduated from law school when she started her sports agency. Tristan was attending the University of Chicago and playing football for the school. He’d wanted more than anything to get into the NFL, and she honestly thought it was a long shot. Still Cree took him on as a client.
“I tried breaking up with him then, but he wasn’t having it.” Cree smiled, thinking about how convincing Tristan could be when he wanted something.
“Dang, I can’t wait to meet this guy if he has you over there smiling like that. Your scowls usually hide your smiles,” Nyla said laughing, and Cree rolled her eyes while biting down on her lower lip to squash her smile.
When it came to Tristan, it had always been hard to hide her feelings whether she was happy with him or mad at him. There was just something about the guy who could turn her on one minute and then make her want to punch him the next.
“When I signed him to my agency, I didn’t want anyone to know we were dating, especially while I was trying to get my business going. We’d only been together a few months at the time, and I was all about being a professional while I drummed up more clients.”
Then she landed him a contract with Chicago, making both of their dreams come true. It was peanuts compared to what NFL players receive today, but they’d both been thrilled. After that, Tristan had put in the work, proving he’d be a star one day. Cree knew she could get him a bigger contract the following season, but he signed with the other agent.
“Dang. No wonder you were pissed at him,” Nyla said. “Considering you used to fight first and ask questions later, I’m surprised the guy is still alive.”
“Right?” Dorian co-signed and laughed with the others. “I can’t believe he’d just up and sign with someone else, knowing he’d be hurting you.”
“In his defense, I can’t much blame him. The other agent had a ton of experience in the industry and could get him more money. Tristan recently told me that he knew I’d be mad at the news, but he thought I’d understand it was business. With him getting a larger contract, we both would win, especially since we were married.”
“But you didn’t see it that way,” Essence said, a sympathetic expression marring her face. “I wish you guys could’ve talked it all out before ending the marriage.”
Cree shrugged. “Yeah, woulda, shoulda, coulda. I was young, dumb, and in my feelings. I wasn’t trying to hear anything he had to say.”
“So when are we going to meet this guy?” Dorian asked. “Will he be at your birthday party next month?”
Cree had planned to celebrate her thirty-seventh birthday at Moody Days Jazz Club that her sister Nyla owned. She had only invited her siblings, a few friends, and the employees at the spa. She hadn’t considered inviting Tristan. Part of her wanted to, but if she did, it would go against her policy of not mixing business with pleasure.
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’m not sure I want to risk it.”
“Risk what?” Raven asked.
Cree told them what she had explained to Tristan—that she’d represent him, but there couldn’t be anything between them personally. She’d done that once, and she hated how things turned out. Besides, she had too much to lose. Integrity was everything to her, and if it came out that she was dating a client, a high-profile one at that, it wouldn’t be a good look for her professionally.
“Does the firm have a rule about their lawyers or partners dating clients?” Essence asked.
“It’s highly discouraged.”
“Even though you guys used to be married?” Essence asked.
Cree shrugged. Their previous relationship would make a difference, but still…
“I’ve worked my ass off to build my clientele list as well as become partner. I don’t want anything to overshadow what I’ve accomplished. Besides, attorneys shouldn’t date their clients. It’s just not a good look and can compromise the business relationship and could be a conflict of interest.”
“Well, it’s a stupid rule… or a stupid unspoken rule,” Dorian said with a flippant wave of her hand.
Essence leaned forward and leveled Cree with a look. “You have a second chance with the only man you’ve ever loved. You and Tristan are made for each other, and it might be worth giving your relationship another chance. I’ve seen you two together.”
“That was a long time ago, Sis,” Cree said, her pulse amping at the thought of giving Tristan another chance. She wanted to. God, she wanted to, but the logical side of her brain was saying it was a bad idea and too big of a risk.
“It might’ve been a long time ago,” Essence continued, “but I’ve never seen you happier than when you were with him. Isn’t what you two once shared worth giving another try?”
