“Oh yeah?” Jackie folded her arms. “Advice from a guy who is engaged to a woman that he believes his deceased wife’s ghost hand-picked for him?”
“I mean, since you put it that way, I see your point,” chuckled Gideon. “But the thing with PJ and Antonio, you were just kind of caught in the middle. It isn’t your fault. It’s nobody’s fault.”
“I shouldn’t have gotten caught up with Antonio. I should have kept it strictly professional,” Jackie said, nodding for emphasis. “PJ is my client. He’s my priority.”
“Whether professionally or personally, seems like Antonio was going to be in your orbit whether you liked it or not.”
Jackie kicked at the turf in front of her. “I guess.”
“Besides, Jack, you can’t help who you fall for, especially if that person is meant to be with you.”
Jackie frowned. “I didn’t say he was meant to be with me.”
“You didn’t have to,” Gideon reminded her. “You said you all met ten years ago, right? And back then you felt something. And now, ten years later, you feel the same thing, right?”
“Has everyone lost their mind?” Jackie snapped. “All of you all need to stop drinking the tea from Bronwyn’s shop. Because you all are sounding as wacky as she is.”
“I find Thyme’s blend of teas to be quite delightful,” Gideon said, pushing up his glasses. “Haven’t you learned anything from me and Tanika? Can’t fight fate, cousin. Plus, I heard you had a run-in with Mother Mary. I don’t pretend to know how that woman knows things, but she’s the real thing…”
“Okay, fine,” Jackie said, turning to Gideon. “Let’s say I give up logic and believe in this fate thing. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m dating my former client’s father who also is my coworker. My reputation is shot. Patrick already made it clear that he isn’t in for any more drama, and he all but threatened to fire me and take my clients—”
“Or,” Gideon interrupted, “youtake your clients and do your own thing. Like…what’s the movie?” He scratched his temple.
“Jerry McGuire,” Jackie said. “You want me toJerry McGuire-it?”
“Right!” Gideon snapped his fingers. “Why not? I mean, you’re about as tall as Tom Cruise, so…”
Jackie punched Gideon in the arm, and he laughed. “Ouch, I’m just saying. What’s stopping you? When’s the last time you took a risk and bet on yourself?”
“I don’t know. When I decided to go into sports management versus corporate law. But…the AMW-Elite name means a hell of a lot in this industry. It attracts a lot of premiere athletes.”
“And the name Jackie Miles doesn’t?” Gideon asked, sitting up straight. “Didn’t you just get Mo Williams a title fight? You did that. Without your annoying voice! That was a feat! I doubt Mo cares that you’re with AMW-Elite.”
Jackie sipped her coffee. “I guess.”
“Ain’t noI guess,” countered Gideon. “You are Marcus Miles’s daughter. Uncle Marcus never let shit get to him. When circumstances in life changed, he pivoted. You can too. You can do anything, Jackie.”
Jackie sniffed, wiping her eyes. “Now why the hell did you have to bring Daddy into it?”
“Did it work?”
“You’re an asshole, Gid. I’ll remember that next time you want some sneakers,” Jackie nodded toward his feet.
“No, you won’t.” Gideon held up his foot, showing off his sparkling, new PJ Dawson kicks.
“I should get PeeWee to pee on your feet!”
At the sound of his name, PeeWee stopped his running and stared at the both of them with an expression that read,What the hell do you want?
“See,” Jackie said, pointing at PeeWee. “He’s a Black dog.”
Jackie and Gideon doubled over with laughter.
Once their giggling died down, Jackie nudged Gideon. “I love you, cuz. Thanks for babysitting me after all.”
“Anytime.” Gideon gave Jackie a wet, smacking kiss on her forehead. “I love you too, Jack!”
“Jackie?” The low timber of another voice interrupted the conversation. Jackie looked up to see PJ standing in front of her, wearing a team hoodie and a leather jacket.
