I follow Layla, placing my hand over her lower back possessively.
“Layla! Gabe!” Cora greets us, a smile lighting up her face.
“Good evening, Cora,” I say.
“Chris, this is Gabe. Gabe, my husband, Chris.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
I assist Layla into her chair, then sit down.
“So Cora has told me a lot about you.”
I smile politely.
“And then I looked you up. You’ve had an amazing career.”
“I have. I’m still a part of it, just as a manager now.”
“What’s that like?”
“It has a lot of facets. It’s mostly a balancing act.” Between dealing with team owners, upper management, and the egos of the players and other coaches, that’s the perfect way to describe it.
He laughs softly. “I’m sure it is,” he replies, turning to Layla. I’m out of the hot seat, for now.
“Another business baby sold, eh?” he says.
She beams with pride. “Another baby sold. And it feels so good!”
“Let’s toast!” Cora says, raising her glass.
“To LC Holdings!” Chris and I join in, all of us clinking our wine glasses together.
Throughout dinner, everyone is lively and easy to talk to. Before tonight, I had already met Cora, but not her husband Chris. After meeting him, I can see that he’s a good guy.
“Ready?” I ask her softly, as we pick up our coats, shrugging into them.
“Yes,” she says softly.
“See you later, you two. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Cora jokes as we leave.
“Bye Cora,” Layla replies, a smile on her face. Layla enjoyed dinner with Cora and Chris. As did I.
“My place or yours?” I ask Layla, once we’re back in my car. I don’t have a preference, I just want her with me.
“My place.”
I nod, pulling out of the parking garage.
“Chris seems like a good guy.”
“He is. Both he and Cora are the best.”
I nod, keeping my eyes on the road. “Maybe we can go out with them again sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
