Clueless, I ask, “What dinner?”
“The one I booked last night and am only mentioning to you now.” If I’m reading her body language correctly, she seems to have stars in her eyes and is looking at me longingly as she licks her lips and twirls a lock of hair around her finger.
It’s a look I’ve seen before, and I need to put an end to it. I have never been interested in Sutton, nor do I mix business with pleasure.Dating staff is a strict line I will not cross.
“Why did you book dinner for tonight?” I had plans to order from Dooley’s, Erika’s favorite pizzeria, then eat it in front of the television while watching her favorite movie,Eight Below, about sled dogs stranded in Antarctica. Having watched it over a hundred times, she would never admit why it’s her favorite film to anyone, but I know it’s because the huskies in the film remind her of her beautiful husky, Oscar, who died a few years ago,and she spent days crying over. He was a loyal and faithful dog, and I miss him too. His crystal blue eyes looked like a portal to Antarctica itself. “I have plans tonight.”
Sutton fires back quickly, “Well, cancel them because you’re having dinner with Hunter King, his wife, Eden, and their daughter, Hope, instead.”
“But Hunter King has an agent.” I run my hand down my face in frustration. It’s a waste of my time. Time I planned to spend with my girl.
My girl. Fuck, I have a girlfriend. Not just any girlfriend, but Erika.
The woman I would jump off a cliff with no parachute for if she asked me to.
“Hunter isn’t looking for an agent; he’s looking for one for his daughter and he’s only in town for one night.”
Damn. I actually like Hunter and met him a few times briefly. As a pro golfer, he’s won hundreds of championships around the world. Semi-retired, he’s a sports icon.
“Tell me more.” I realize I have to change my plans for tonight.
Sutton reads through Hope’s credentials, and I make mental bullet points.
Figure-skater.
Selected to represent Scotland at the Olympics two years ago and won gold.
Hope has a new coach and is relocating from Scotland to Canada.
Her dad wants me to represent her because I’m the best.
Obviously.
I mentally note everything else about sponsorships… negotiating her contract for the television showBlades on Iceduring the off-season, brand deals, magazine exclusives… Consider it done. I’m made for this shit.
“What time and where?” I ask Sutton reluctantly.
“Avante at seven thirty.” Great choice. It’s a popular spot for celebrities because the food is excellent and the atmosphere is relaxed and private. “And I’ll be joining you as your plus one,” she adds, her eagerness evident, her voice bright and buoyant.
Eh, no, she won’t be.
“Sorry, Sutton, but I’ll be taking my girlfriend.” Erika will hate me for springing this on her, but I have contacts and can get hundreds of dresses delivered here in under an hour if she needs one.
