Jackie leaned against the other corner of her desk. Tanika really had come through with the scoop about Mo. “Fine. I won’t make any promises, but I’ll ask PJ, under one condition.”
Tanika squealed. “Anything.”
Jackie’s lips lifted into a slow grin. “You have to let me take you wedding dress shopping.”
Tanika huffed. “Ugh! I told you I don’t want a wedding dress.”
Jackie was amused. She knew her best friend. No matter how hard she was pretending otherwise, this woman wanted to feel like a bride. “Need I remind you of the vision board you made one night, back in Bumstead Hall? You had your wedding planned down to the groom.”
“And am I marrying Larenz Tate? Nope,” laughed Tanika. “I was nineteen and naive as hell. I’m almost forty-five, Jack. No more little girl daydreams of fairytale weddings.”
“Says the girl who got her prince charming? Just…indulge me,” Jackie said. “I’m not saying youhaveto get a dress; just try some on. I don’t want you to be cheated out of the experience.”
“Fine,” Tanika sighed. “But I’m going to try on a black dress.”
Over her dead body. But Jackie wouldn’t argue that point. “It’s a deal.”
JACKIE RUSHED DOWN THE HALL TOWARDPATRICK’S OFFICE. SHEdidn’t need his permission to sign Mo, but she did want to give him a heads-up. She was so laser-focused as she walked that she didn’t realize she had company until another hand was on the door. A massive, deep brown hand that she knew too well.
Antonio.
“Listen, I don’t have time for your games, Antonio. I have to talk to Patrick about something important, and I was here first.”
“Uh-huh,” Antonio didn’t step out of the way. “And what if I want to talk to him about the same thing?”
Jackie put her hands on her hips. She watched as Antonio’s eyes went right to her waist. “You have no idea what I’m up to,” she said. But Jackie couldn’t even front. Antonio probablydidknow about Mo dropping his agent. He knew many people in a lot of places. He had friends in damn-near every facet of sports. People loved Antonio. It was what made him great at being an agent.
He leaned against the doorframe. “Wanna bet? Let’s both go inside and make our cases.”
Jackie scoffed. “I don’t need to make a case. I’m going to do what I want regardless. I’m just giving Patrick a heads-up.”
“I mean, common courtesy is always nice. We are one firm now. Gotta be on the same page.” Antonio smiled, showing a dimple right above his goatee.
Jackie glared. “Do you think anyone in this damned firm practices common courtesy when it comes to me? No, they don’t.” Jackie had learned her lesson early on, about the dangers of sharing her prospects with anyone. So-called supportive colleagues had scooped too her many times.
Antonio sighed. “I get it, but that isn’t how I roll, Jackie. C’mon now. You know me.”
“Do I?” She knocked on the door and waited for Patrick to answer before she opened. She didn’t bother to wait for Antonio to follow her inside.
Patrick looked up from his laptop. “Hey Jackie. Oh, hey Antonio. What’s up? Have a seat.”
Jackie waved him off. “This won’t take long. I’m going to sign Mo Williams to AMW-Elite. He’s without representation, and he’s trying to rebuild his career. And—”
“And despite his legal hassles,” interrupted Antonio, “it’ll be a win for the firm. He’s a hell of a fighter. Still in fighting shape.”
Jackie’s neck whipped in Antonio’s direction. Her nostrils flared. Why the hell did he always do that? She didn’t need back up. She was a big girl.
“It’s been two years since his last title fight, though,” Patrick interjected. “And it was a disaster. He wasn’t focused. He nearly got pummeled out there.”
“That was Mo two years ago,” Jackie countered. “Mo today is trying to make a comeback. He won every fight this past year. Yet, in the midst of his triumphant return, Clyde was stealing from him. Bleeding him dry.”
Patrick blinked. “Clyde Donovan stole from Mo Williams?”
“To the tune of nearly eight million,” Jackie said.
“And he’s still alive?” Patrick whistled in amazement.
Antonio chuckled. “Right? Surprised me, too, but I guess Mo has really changed. Instead of beating his ass, he’s going the legal route. It’s not looking good for Clyde. Embezzlement charges and all.”
