“I can run it by him,” Nancy offers.
I huff a laugh. “Oh, no. Mr. Price has me making all executive decisions.”
“Yeah…about that.” She glances up at me sheepishly.
“What?”
“Um, well, Mars actually gave us strict instructions to run all ideas involving him past him first.”
I laugh, turning around to lean against the wooden rail. “Well, I’m the Director of Operations for Out of the Net, and I say we’re moving the beach walk up, along with his speech.”
“And while I do love that idea,” she hedges. “He did rather sternly imply that your orders regarding him are not to be followed without his express approval.”
I glare down at her, even though I know she’s only the messenger. “Seriously?”
“Please don’t put me in the middle.”
“Oh, trust me, I can handle that broody Finn myself,” I say, pushing off the rail. “You’re welcome to stand on the sidelines for this one, Nance. Come on, let’s go light the torches.”
She hurries behind me, both of us shucking our heels as we walk down the short boardwalk leading out to the beach. While the sun was still out, we set up a short row of tiki torches to light up the boardwalk’s end and signal for walkers where to return.
“Oh, and a donor keeps asking about you,” Nancy says, walking in step behind me. “Says he wants to speak to you about the terms of his donation.”
I rack my brain, trying to remember that conversation. “His donation?”
“Yeah, he said you were expecting him, but you hadn’t mentioned it to me so…”
I glance over my shoulder at her. “What did you say his name was?”
“Umm…Troy,” she replies, checking the little notebook still in her hand. “A Mr. Troy from PFH Consulting Group. Do you know him?”
61
Tonight is going so well. I was a bit anxious at first, thinking this might be a lot of rubbing shoulders with land developers, but I shouldn’t have worried. Really, this just feels like one big fancy Rays party. The WAGs love an excuse to get dressed up, the alcohol is flowing, and everyone seems to be in good spirits. I’ve eaten my weight in appetizers, including, like, eight of those little cups of the lobster mac and cheese. Tess was right, it’s goddamn delicious.
Everyone showed up for Mars. And we’re all making generous donations. I’ve spent most of the last half hour laughing in the corner with Sully, Shelby, and Karlsson. Every so often, I let my gaze settle on Tess until she looks my way and I flash her a wink.
She’s radiant tonight. She’s working the room like a queen without a crown, floating from table to table, laughing and chatting it up. I smirk to myself, watching as she gets pulled away from Rachel and Poppy’s table, Nancy hurrying along at her side. She’s walking directly away from me. God, do I love this view. Her ass sways as her heels click, the fabric swishing.
In the rush of party set up, I may have pulled her into a coat closet…and she may have pushed me to my knees. I focus on the beer in my hand, remembering the feel of that soft fabric bunching around my face. Later tonight, I’ll be taking her out of that dress and leaving it on my floor.
I told my coaches about Troy and his threats this morning. Tess was anxious about it, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Coach Johnson had questions, but he was cool. We’ve got a PR strategy meeting planned with Poppy for tomorrow morning. For tonight, I don’t want Tess to worry, and I won’t either. We deserve a night of fun with our friends, a night to act like the couple we are where everyone can see.
“So…seems like you and Tess are finally official, then?” says Sully, following the direction of my gaze and flashing me a knowing smirk.
I tear my gaze away from her and smile. “Yep. That woman is it for me.”
“You work fast,” Karlsson says.
“Hey, when you know, you know,” I reply.
“And no running?” says Shelby.
“I’m fast,” I reply, taking a sip of my beer. “I can keep up.”
Sully laughs. “Well, she seems like a great girl to me. When you whacked her in the head with that soccer ball, did you ever think you’d end up here?”
“Did you really think you’d land a girl like Shelbs the first time you met her?” I tease.
“Hell no,” Sully replies as we all laugh. “These women are so far out of our league. I’m not questioning it, though. I’m like you, man. She says run, I fucking run.”