Biting my lip to keep from smiling, I shrugged. “I don’t know. I was too distracted by you ordering your whole meal halfway cooked.”
He let out a light chuckle. “Please tell me you don’t like your steak well-done.”
“I sure do! It’s the superior way to eat it. The praise is in the name.” I emphasized my point with my hands. “Well done!”
He shook his head, amused. “You were my favorite person in Chance until just now.”
After a few more laughs, I stared out toward the water. “This place is really nice,” I told him. “Thanks for bringing me here. I would’ve never found it on my own.”
“Because you don’t venture out of Chance?”
“Because I don’t venture out of my aunt’s house,” I blurted.
Curiosity flickered across his face. “Youdidsay you don’t come back often.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “So, when you’re here for your one week in the summer, you’re here for your aunt?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, looking away momentarily. “So, where is this business plan I’m supposed to be looking at?”
He hesitated for a moment, seemingly confused by my sudden shift in conversation. “It’s in the car. I mean, I have a copy on my phone, but…”
I reached over the table. “Let’s see it.”
A slow smile spread across his face as he unlocked his phone. “You have to be honest.”
“I have no problem being honest. Part of my charm is that you’ll always know where you stand with me.”
His thumb flew over the screen, and then he handed me his device. “I like that.”
I sat back in my chair and started reading the multipage document. I knew from our conversation at the sports bar that his idea was a good one. But reading a fully fleshed-out business plan that was smart, insightful, and innovative impressed me. From his mission plan, executive summary, and market opportunity, it was well thought out and cohesive. The information the new professional athletes would learn in the program would help them vet the professionals they’d hire to get what they wanted and needed out of their career.
“Wow,” I commented, lifting my eyes to meet his across the table. “This is brilliant. This would help so many people, and it’s just… so good. You have to do this.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “You would change the game with this, Lamar.”
“Are you sure? This is my baby right here. I put so much into it, but…” A flash of trepidation crossed his face. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”
“There’s no way you could with this type of plan,” I assured him. “When there’s love and respect for what you’re passionate about, you won’t fuck it up. This executive summary is the definition of love and respect. This is amazing. I love the way you thought all this through. You are—your plan is incredible. You’re about to do great things with this.”
The crease of worry softened, and he smirked. “I may need you to hype me up like this before I pitch.”
“And I’ll do it. Even though we just met, I’m invested in seeing you make this happen. I’m invested in your success. So, if you need me to help you or to hype you, I will.”
Holding eye contact, he licked his lips. “I believe you.”
“You should,” I replied softly. Squirming under the intensity of his gaze, I cleared my throat. “What are you looking for in the educators you bring on board?”
“People with experience who aren’t actively practicing. What do you suggest?”
I smiled before launching into the list of ideas that had popped into my head as I read.
He nodded profusely with each point I made. “Yeah, that’s good.You’regood.”
“And also reaching out to professors who teach sports law, contract law, sports management.”
“I like that. A lot. Text that to me.”
I pulled out my phone and sent him a text with my thoughts. As I held his phone, I looked between our phones until I saw my text notification pop up on his screen. He had me saved asJazz, and for some reason, that made me feel warm inside.
