“Ma’am, if you’ll step this way, please,” a gentle voice says. I’m startled when I look up to find a bear of a security guard gesturing me forward. His voice definitely doesn’t match his gruff appearance. Then he smiles, recognition sparking in his hazel eyes. “Hey, you’re Jordie McNamara.”
I’m still getting used to people recognizing me. I’d had media attention due to playing college ball, of course, but since I’m now a professional athlete, that’s gone up a hundredfold.
“I am. Nice to meet you…” I glance down at his nametag and try not to giggle. “Bear Collins.”
He grins through his bushy beard. “Dad named me after the legendary Bear Bryant. Of course his full name was?—”
“Paul William Bryant,” I fill in. “Best known for coaching at Bama, though he was also the head coach at A&M, Maryland, and Kentucky.”
The security guard laughs, a booming sound that should shake the rafters but instead feels warm and soothing. “A lady who knows her football. Shoulda known.”
“I’ve been a student of the game since I was little. While other girls were asking for Barbies, I begged for books on the history of football and the latest Madden NFL video game.”
The big man smiles. “My daughter is the same. She’s trying out for her varsity team this year. You’ve really inspired a lot of young ladies, Miss McNamara.”
I’m touched beyond belief at his words. “Thank you for saying that, and please call me Jordie.”
He scrubs a hand along the back of his thick neck. “Would you mind giving me an autograph, Jordie? For my daughter,” he adds quickly.
I feel simultaneously elated and embarrassed as I sign a page in the small notebook Bear had in his shirt pocket. I’m still flabbergasted that anyone would want my autograph.
Holding it up, he smiles. “Thanks, Jordie. Stephanie will be so excited. We’ll be at all your home games this year.”
“Really?” I ask, eyes wide.
“Yep. The Hales bought season tickets for all the employees. One of the ladies in finance didn’t want hers, so she gave it to me for Steph.”
Wow. Carly told me this is a great, employee-friendly company, but that’s really nice.
After he does a quick search of my bag and I pass through the metal detector, Bear directs me toward a bank of elevators across the lobby. The doors are mirrored, and I survey my reflection as I wait for the telltale ding.You look fine, I tell myself, checking the button on my shirt once again.
When I enter, I’m met with more mirrors inside. What is this? Vanity Central? I punch the button for the top floor, but it stops on the second, letting two women into the car.
They’re both breathtaking. The brunette has flawless mocha skin and hazel eyes. She’s tall but still a couple inches shorter than me, and she runs her gaze up and down my body.
“You a model too?” she asks appraisingly, and I try not to squirm.
“Uh, no. I’m just here for a meeting.”
The woman lifts a thinly waxed eyebrow. “You should be. You’re gorgeous and so tall. You could totally do runway work.”
The other woman, a stunning redhead, makes a tsking noise. “I could never do runway. You have to be at least five-ten.”
The brunette tosses her long hair over one shoulder as the elevator stops on another floor. Two men enter, and she assesses them before turning to admire her perfect makeup in one of the mirrored walls.
“I’ve done a little—I did Fashion Week in New York last year—but I like print work better. A lot less hectic.”
The redhead eyes the button panel before looking back at me. “You’re going to the top floor? That’s executives only.”
“I have a meeting with Mr. Hale,” I say, and now both of them arelooking at me with interest. The elevator halts again, and the two men step off.
“With the dad or the son?” Red asks almost reverently.
Well, crap. I don’t exactly know. I’ve been too worried about what to wear and my makeup and whether I even wanted to do this thing at all.
“His name is Phoenix Hale,” I say, and both women’s eyes glitter.
“Oh, that’s the son,” the brunette informs me with a knowing nod.
