NINETEEN
DAYLEN
After dropping Kennedy at the airport, I head straight to Tanner’s office. It’s in a big downtown office building. He’s been here ever since he moved his company from New York City to Philadelphia. While I was sad for him that he was getting divorced, I was extremely happy when he relocated. I love having my agent and friend so close by now.
When I walk off the elevator, I smile warmly at his longtime, middle-aged secretary, Shannon, “Good morning, beautiful lady.”
She looks up from her computer and blushes shyly at the compliment. “Good morning, Mr. Humblecut.”
“Shannon,” I scold.
“Good morning, Daylen.”
“That’s much better, pretty woman. Is he in?” I ask.
She nods. “He’s in with Mrs. Montgomery right now, Mr.…Daylen. Let me tell him you’re here.”
I wave my hand dismissively. “No need. He loves my visits.” And I’d like to see Fallon and congratulate her on thenew job. I know how much the ladies on the team love having her around.
Shannon begs me not to go into his office and scrambles to pick up her phone, but I ignore her and open Tanner’s office door, completely forgetting there’s a new Mrs. Montgomery.
I’m reminded. Quickly.
Bailey is sitting on his desk facing him with her legs spread. She’s giggling while his head is buried under her dress. Her back is to me. I can’t see anything I shouldn’t be seeing, but I know what he’s doing to her.
“Oops. Sorry,” I mumble.
His head quickly pops up, and Bailey pulls the bottom of her dress down to cover her thighs. Shannon appears behind me. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Montgomery. He wouldn’t wait until I called you.” She throws a death stare my way.
Sitting up straight in his three-piece navy-blue suit, Tanner practically growls at me in annoyance. “There’s a reason Shannon is out there. There’s also a reason for closed doors.”
“So you can get office action?” I ask innocently while batting my eyelashes.
Bailey smiles, but Tanner scowls. She hops down from the desk and pecks him on the lips. “I’ll leave you two alone. See you at home tonight.”
“No,” he barks out. “This will be quick.Veryquick. Stay. I’m not done with you yet.” He grabs her by the waist and pulls her to sit across his lap, refusing to let go despite her soft protests.
He nods his head toward Shannon. “That will be all,” he barks at her. “In the future, when mywifeis in here,no oneis to disturb us,” he commands with authority as he glares at her, and she practically shrivels while closing the door.
I’m glad he’s on my side. He can be a scary dude sometimes.
Though as soon as he looks at Bailey, his face immediatelysoftens. He practically has hearts in his eyes when gazing at her and her baby bump lovingly.
It’s weird to see him this way. It’s not at all how he was with Fallon when they were married. They were more formal around each other. Always appropriate, but there was no spark. They lacked the playfulness my parents had and that I hope to have one day. In fact, in all the years they were married, I don’t remember him ever touching Fallon the way he’s always touching Bailey. He can’t keep his eyes or hands off her when she’s around.
I have an uncharacteristically brief moment of jealousy for what they share. They’re lucky to have it.
His face hardens as he turns his attention to me. “Whatelseis it that I can do for the man who I recently helped become the highest-paid tight end in all of football?”
I grin at him. “That’s why I’m here. Because you’re the best in the business. The only one I’d ever trust. Kennedy needs new representation, and you’re the only man for the job.”
Bailey’s eyes widen. “I bet offers are pouring in after last night’s excitement. That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in women’s sports. We don’t have much of that in softball. It was so intense.”
I nod as I sit in a chair in front of his desk. “Yes, she’s gotten a lot of offers. She needs a better agent. She needs you, Tanner.”
His eyes toggle between me and Bailey. Appropriately, he hasn’t told her about Vegas, and now he’s cornered himself by keeping her in the room with us.
I decide to let him off the hook. “As long as she can be trusted to stay quiet, you can tell her everything.”
