“Do you think she’s going to be mad?”
Ariana felt Nicole’s hand slip into hers. “No. After the surprise, she’ll be happy for me. She told me to go for it, remember?”
Ariana chuckled. “Yeah, it’s all her fault.”
“And yours, for the lap dance.” They laughed as the car pulled over in front of Stuart’s bar.
Once inside Stuart gave them both big hugs and led them to a table in the back.
“I can see you had a good time.” He grinned. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
Ariana smiled at Nicole and was about to reach for her hand when she stopped herself. “Ugh, we’re back in the real world.”
“It’s okay. You’re coming home with me tonight.”
“Hey,” Kate said, walking up to the table. “The lap dancer is joining us for drinks?” She laughed and was about to introduce Emily when her face lit up in surprise. “Oh my God! Ariana went away with you!”
“Could you please sit down and I’ll tell you all about it,” Nicole said through clenched teeth.
Ariana gazed around the bar, but no one was staring at them.
“Ari, this is Emily—” Nicole started.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Kate said, putting her arm on the back of Emily’s chair. “Yes, this is my wife, Emily. Babe, meet Ariana Villa.”
“Hi Ariana, it’s nice to meet you,” Emily said with a smile.
Ariana returned her smile and nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“So,” Nicole said, gazing over at Ariana then at Kate. “About my contract negotiations.”
Kate’s brows flew up her forehead. “Please don’t tell me you want me to negotiate a clause that lets you date players?”
“No.” Nicole grinned. “Just one player.”
Ariana chuckled. If the risk wasn’t so high in their current situation then this back and forth would be entertaining.
Kate shook her head. “I’m guessing you want to meet and disclose your relationship with management.”
Nicole nodded. “I want to be forthcoming and get ahead of it. No secrets.”
“No secrets? I’d say you two have been keeping a big secret!”
Ariana looked over at Nicole. She desperately wanted to hold her hand or something to give her support.
“They could easily fire you,” Kate went on.
“Well, that would be dumb,” Emily said.
All eyes turned towards her.
“You could walk down the street to another network, sign on with them, and give them a big boost in this booming market,” Emily explained. “I may not know a lot about basketball, but I do know about business.”
“You don’t like sports in general,” Nicole said.
Ariana noticed Nicole gave Emily a funny look.
“Ariana,” Emily said, “long, long ago Nicole and I went on a terrible date.”
