Page 78 of Delicate Storm

God, I was a brat.

Keeley’s in the hall outside my dad’s office when I arrive, and her warm smile brings on my own.

“You’re here early. Are you staying for the game?” she asks, her expression hopeful.

“I am. I have no idea where Dad’s got me sitting, but I’ll be there. I just have to get some of the charity event planning out of the way before it starts.”

“You are a godsend, you know that. I know how expensive event companies can be, so the team and the board are lucky to have you.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m no event organizer, but I’m trying. Also, my dad didn’t give me much choice.”

Keeley laughs. “Then we should be thanking him too. Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.”

“You’ve already done enough. Your contacts have been amazing.”

When Dad first reintroduced me to Keeley, in a professional capacity, he thought she’d be able to help me with the event, but didn’t mention the fact that I wasn’t the event planner he’d pitched me to be. He failed to mention that I’m only helping because the team is struggling financially but still needs to save face. I was the one that shared that news with Keeley, feeling like a fraud. I’ve helped out with events, come up with ideas, used my influence to get support, but I’ve never taken the lead. And I’m a little terrified, if I’m honest.

But Dad wanted to make sure the focus was on the team’s chance of back-to-back wins, not the fact that they had money issues. And since I’m the doting daughter that owes him for treating him badly, here I am.

“Well, I’m here if you need an extra pair of hands,” Keeley adds, waving said hands in the air. “Orif you want a laugh, I could volunteer my brother. He’sneverup for a good time, so it would be fun to watch him try to either get himself out of it, or to pretend he cared to impress his new boss.”

I laugh out loud, though I do agree—it would be fun to watch him squirm. “That’s okay. At the moment, I’m on top of things. But I’ll let you know when that changes. And I still have four weeks, right?”

“Yes. I can’t believe your dad asked for such a short turnaround. He clearly doesn’t know the work that goes into big events like that.”

“I think he just wanted it to be on a bye weekend, so the team had no excuses when they were asked to attend. And we’re up first when it comes to byes.”

“We?” Keeley smirks and I roll my eyes.

“That was a line I’m repeating directly from my dad. I will admit, I enjoyed watching practice. But I don’t think I’m a full-blown football fan yet.”

“But you could be swayed?” She grins excitedly, baring her teeth comically.

“Yeah, I think I could be,” I admit, with one player on my mind.

“Good to know.”

I lose track of time working, and before I know it, Dad’s texting me to tell me he’ll be by in ten minutes to show me to my seat.

I’ve just started packing up when Keeley pops in again.

“So… I’ve decided you’re coming with me.”

“What?” I laugh.

“I know your dad said he has a seat for you, but would you rather ogle the hot guys while sitting with your dad and other official men?Orcome and watch the game from a suite with some like-minded and amazing women…and a really cute baby?”

“Again, what? Who?”

Keeley laughs. “I was chatting with Luke’s wife about you, and we decided you need to be watching the game with her and some of the other wives and girlfriends.”

“But I’m not a wife or girlfriend.”

“I know that. But neither is Amelia’s bestie, Hayley, so you’re not the only one. Plus you’re still connected to the team. In fact, you’re like the team’s daughter, since your dad owns them. Oh my God. It just occurred to me that one dayyoucould own the team. You might inherit it.”

“Oh no. That’s not for me.” But if it was, I definitely scrap the “no seeing the players” rule. In fact, I’d encourage it. “Also… are you killing off my father?”

“God, no. He’s still so young. I meanwaywayin the future.”

---