“I don’t think you have to worry about that.” Phoenix studies the screen. “But what does concern me is they’re only providing two security guards.”
“I saw that. Do you think that’s really necessary?”
He looks at me like I just sprouted a banana from my forehead. “At a meet-and-greet with tons of rabid fans?”
I blow a scoffing raspberry. “I doubt there will be tons or that they’ll be rabid.”
“Better safe than sorry,” he argues. “I’ve already contacted Tank Hanford to come as your personal security. You remember him, right? Bristol’s husband?”
“Tank is a little hard to forget. He’s a freaking giant,” I reply dryly. “But I don’t want to interrupt their family vacation. Bristol said they’re taking Gram and the kids to Galveston.”
“They’re headed back to Dallas on Saturday and will be passing right by the mall on their way. There’s a fun arcade in there, so Bristol and Gram can keep the kids entertained. He said he’d be happy to help if you sign a jersey for him.”
“Of course.”
“Tank is a former SEAL and now works in personal security, so he has plenty of experience.”
I chuckle. “I think his mere presence is enough to deter any problems.”
Phoenix makes a couple notes on his computer. “I’m letting the store know you’ll also be bringing your own security guard, and theycan contact him for his credentials since he’ll probably be packing heat.”
I shake my head in wonder. “I think you’re being ridiculous. I don’t need an armed guard?—”
My words are cut off when Phoenix presses his index finger against my lips. “Hush. It’s done. I’m not taking any chances with your safety.”
Bubbles tingle low in my belly like I just drank an entire bottle of champagne. Why was that simple command and his protectiveness such a turn on?
I playfully bite his finger, and he pulls it back with a laugh. “Ow, no need to go feral on me, McNamara.” He shuts his laptop and reclines back on the couch. “So the other thing I wanted to talk to you about is that Hale Cosmetics is wanting to do a collaboration with a football player and a basketball player. And since you’re already our girl, I thought you might be interested.”
Our girl?I’d just put that in the vault and think about it later.
“Who’s the basketball player?”
“Kennedy Jeffries. Do you know her?”
My eyes almost bulge out of their sockets. “I’ve never met Kennedy, but of course I know who she is. She’s the toughest player in the league. Hell, she could probably go toe-to-toe with half the men playing pro ball.”
Phoenix chuckles. “I agree, and that’s why we wanted both of you in this campaign. Two fierce female athletes. And half the profits will go to support girls’ athletic programs.”
“I’m in. Sign me up,” I say instantly, happiness wrapping around my heart.
He gives me a sardonic eyebrow lift. “You haven’t even heard about the compensation.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care. I’ll do it for free if it helps girls be able to play the sports they love.” My lower lip slides between my teeth as I suddenly feel vulnerable beneath this man’s gaze. “I come from a small town, and they didn’t even have a girls’ football team. I had to play with the boys just to get noticed so I could have recruiting film. Or I could have moved to Dallas since the bigger high schools already had girls’ football teams.”
Phoenix nods slowly. “If you like, I can specify that priority be given to smaller schools when the funds are dispersed.”
“You can do that?” I ask excitedly, and he rolls his eyes.
“I can do anything.” He’s so cocky, and I don’t dislike it one little bit.
“That would be amazing. There are large schools in Texas that have multi-million-dollar athletic budgets, while the smaller schools depend on the local athletic booster clubs to do bake sales.”
“I’ll take care of it. And your school has a girls’ team now, right?”
My head bobs up and down. “Yes, they had a lot of interest after I graduated and went to college on scholarship, so they got a team started two years later.”
A grin widens his mouth. “Look at you being a trailblazer, McNamara.”
