Page 39 of Hello Quarterback

A guy wearing a suit came up to me and said, “Ford Madigan?”

I nodded.

The guy said, “Are you here to see Miss Baird?”

I offered him an easy smile and said, “Yeah, I am. Her office is that way, right?”

The murmurs were going around us, and I could see people looking up from their desks, talking, whispering to each other. Tallie was a genius.

The guy talking to me said, “I can take you up there... for an autograph,” he joked.

I laughed, setting my bag of food and the flowers down on a table. “I'm happy to sign an autograph for you.” I raised my voice a little bit. “And anyone else who might want something signed.”

The guy seemed gobsmacked and eager at the same time. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Of course. Mia tells me all the time how amazing you guys are and how hard you work. It's the least I can do for you giving her such great support.”

I could see his chest puff up with pride. People always loved when others saidgoodthings about them behind their back.

He said, “I actually have a Diamonds football on my desk. I'll go get it.”

Someone else was already walking up to me with a legal pad and a Sharpie. “My son loves you,” she said, grinning. “He’s not going to believe this.”

For the next half hour or so, I took selfies and signed legal pads, a football, a poster, and even a blazer.

That is until a stern voice said, “What's going on here? My receptionist said you wanted to see me?”

I turned to see a guy that I knew of but had never officially met.Thomas. I offered him a grin, saying, “Sorry, I must havemisspoken. I was actually heading to Mia’s office and hit the wrong floor.”

He layered a smile on his lips that didn't quite meet his eyes. “Sorry, Mr. Madigan, but we're on a tight deadline here. I'm sure you understand.”

A few people in line to get my autograph frowned and sagged. “Of course,” I said to Thomas. “I shouldn't have assumed... Mia is always happy to let me interact with her direct staff no matter how busy.”

Another dig at Thomas.

He was about to answer when I saw a familiar face walking into the room in leather loafers.

“Ford, there you are,” Vanover said. “Mia has been waiting on you.”

I gave him an apologetic look and said, “Sorry, I got caught up.” I looked to the people who were still waiting to get something signed. “Next time I’m in the office, I'll ask Mia if she can send out an email so we can all chat,” I promised.

They seemed to perk up at that, and I swore I saw Thomas’s jaw muscles flex angrily.

“Come now,” Vanover said, waving his hand at me. His expression was calm and collected, but I suppressed my smile until we got into the elevator to go to the next floor.

Vanover leaned over and whispered, “How did it go?”

“Perfectly,” I said. I couldn't wait to tell Mia.

23

MIA

The next twoweeks were going to be slammed with work travel out of town, so I asked my best friend and both of our moms to meet me for lunch. The four of us tried to go out at least once every couple of months to catch up.

Today, we were eating at the café with an exclusive membership, and I swore Farrah’s mom kept glancing around, shocked at all the stars she recognized. It was fun to see how giddy she got about it.

My mom, on the other hand, could care less about fame and fortune. She said anyone who walked the red carpet had once worn a dirty diaper that needed to be changed. Maybe that was part of where my confidence came from—truly believing that all people were equals.

---