Dad laughs. “Maybe not, but Hunter’s paying our meal ticket, not them.”
True. All our agents earn top dollar from their players so courting new players will eventually be covered by signing the new client. It’s why Dad doesn’t mind charging his credit cards—the players are worth the upfront costs. Dad prides himself on owning one of the most sought-out sports agencies in the nation.
I follow him out into the hall.
“Make sure you take all the mental notes possible,” he adds.
“Will do.”
When Jackie graduated from college, she immediately joined the firm as an agent. So did Francis upon walking across the stage. Me, on the other hand, I’d been deemed too soft from the get-go. I went with the flow and never attempted to work as an agent.
Not that I really mind. I don’t like the salesmanship part of the job. I’m perfectly happy being introduced as the project manager, or assistant when my dad wants to downplay my presence.
Occasionally talent tries to flirt with me, but I’m more than capable of putting them in their place if need be. Sometimes I’ll even accept their invitation if I think they’re worth the trouble. Seeing Jackie’s happy matrimony these past four years has me a little envious. However, when she gave birth to Ollie almost two years ago, that envy shot high enough for me to ask forgiveness from the Lord.
At twenty-seven, I’m only a few years younger than Jackie, but still I want what she has. Sadly I keep kissing frogs, so the past year I put myself on hiatus. I’m not sure when I’ll dip my toe back into the murky dating pool, but my heart is getting that familiar ache. Maybe I should end my non-dating streak.
“How’s your morning been?”
I turn to Dad after buckling my seat belt. “I spilled coffee on myself.”
“’Course you did, kid.”
“Then Jackie told me to book her travel ... fortomorrow.” I emphasize, but Dad doesn’t even blink.
“Yeah, I gave her the okay this morning.”
When Jackie said Dad told her to charge the account, I figured it was a while ago, not this morning. Guess, he’s the one I should blame for the hassle. I ended up calling the airline since their system gave me issues, and Iknewthey had tickets for tomorrow. They’re a favorite for a reason.
“Why are you sending her out to LA?”
“New talent. He wants me as an agent, but I assured him Jackie’s a better choice. Plus, your stepmom doesn’t want me to take on any new clients.”
Yeah, because then he’ll be even busier than he already is running his own business and representing select clients.
“How is Ann?”
“Good, good. Hey, why don’t you come over for dinner? You haven’t been in a while.”
“Maybe.” I give a noncommittal smile.
It’s not that I don’twantto have dinner with my dad and his wife. Ann is nice and all, but I still feel loyal to Mom. It seems wrong to enjoy hanging out with Dad and his wife of ten years. Especially considering he’d been married to Mom for twenty-one years. The ink had barely dried on their divorce papers before he made vows to another woman. We’d done the math and knew what that meant, but none of us girls had the heart to ask any questions.
At least, I don’t.
The driver pulls up to The Spot, and Dad opens the door, holding a hand out for me. I take it, steadying myself on my heeled feet before following him into the restaurant. The maître d’ greets Dad by name, then grabs a couple of menus.
“This way, please.”
I trail behind but stop when someone calls my name.
“Val?”
I scan the premises. Raimo Karvonen waves from a few tables over.
“Dad, I’ll be a sec.”
He glances at his watch, then nods. Dad usually arrives to a meeting fifteen minutes before whomever he has to negotiate with, so I have enough time to chat with the Washington Warriors’ goalie.
