“It’s in your messages,” I told him, finishing the section I was reading before handing him back his phone.
As soon as our eyes met, he shook his head. “You’re smart. You’re cool as fuck. You have good ideas. You look good in green.” He set his phone on the table. “I knew there was something about you when I sat next to you on Friday.”
“I’m a wealth of ideas.”
“With ideas this good, just know you can get anything you want from me.”
Fighting a grin, I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Here you are,” Gus announced, placing our food in front of us. “The plates are hot, so please be careful.”
We prayed over our meal and then immediately launched intoconversation as we ate. I gave him feedback, and he inquired about my thought process. I asked him questions, and he answered openly, honestly, and emphatically. The more we talked, the more impressed I became by him.
“The goal is to have the information readily accessible to help them put the best people around them,” Lamar explained, after gulping down a huge swig of water. “Having the information readily accessible will help them decipher a contract and help them negotiate their worth. Too often they jump at the first offer they get because they don’t know any better. Then, if they get hurt or flame out, they didn’t invest their money well enough to hold them over until they figure out their next move. I want them to get it right the first time.”
The passion in his deep voice, the expressiveness in his handsome face, and the conviction in his words were extremely attractive. So much so that when he licked his lips, my eyes followed his tongue.
Squirming in my chair, I looked away briefly to refocus. “I love it. I think that’s exactly what’s needed. Because even if the league does help with that, the league is going to look out for the league. A completely independent entity that prioritizes the players is necessary. Your idea is life-changing and empowering. Honestly, it’s brilliant.”
His eyes searched my face. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know what else you need, but it feels ready to launch before this upcoming season. Your mission, your summary, your breakdown…” I kissed the tips of my fingers. “Chef’s kiss!”
“I appreciate that.” Tapping his finger against his glass, he looked down before peering up at me. “I haven’t really said much to anyone about this because it isn’t ready yet.”
“It feels ready to me. But if you don’t think so, what do you think it needs to be ready?”
“Time,” he answered. “I’d want this in place by the end of the year, so anyone thinking about entering the draft, anyone looking to make changes in the offseason will have this program. But I’d need time to implement it.”
“Ah.” I nodded in understanding. “So, your current schedule doesn’t make time for it?”
“Not right now, but if I get some things in place…” He let outa huff. “I want to do this right. I want to make this happen. I don’t half-ass anything I do, so I’m not putting this out in the world until I know I can do everything I set out to do.”
“And you will. I can tell.”
“Football has always been my life. Growing up, my goal—my dad’s goal—was for me to make it to the league. But lately, my goal has been to make the league better. And the only way to make it better is to empower the players.”
The passion in his words, in his eyes, in his expression caused goose bumps to prickle my skin. I was listening to him with my entire body.
“I love that,” I murmured.
He silently held my gaze. Even though nothing was said aloud, the energy and the connection we shared stirred something within me. And, from the way he looked at me, I knew he felt it, too.
“I don’t usually speak on what I have going on until it’s official,” he said in a low tone. “But with you…”
My stomach fluttered as his sentence trailed off. “Thank you for sharing with me. And here’s my email.” I watched him type it into his phone. “If you want me to take a look at anything, send it over. I’d be happy to help.”
“There’s something about you…”
I nodded. “I feel the same way. It’s like we were meant to meet.”
“That’s exactly it.” He stared at me, into me, as if he were trying to figure me out. “Because I don’t usually trust people with my stuff like this.”
“I get it.” I cocked my head to the side. “I don’t usually trust people period.”
Running his tongue from one corner of his mouth to the other, he kept his eyes fixed on me. “Do you trust me?”
I nodded, the steady thump in my chest confirming what I’d already known. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
