Page 34 of Masters of the Game: Colton
“It was great,” Colton chimed in.
Kelly noticed that although the triplets were the same height, probably close to the same weight, and had the same beautiful brown skin tone, there were distinct differences in their features. Both Colton and Cobra had dimples. Cortez did not. All three had strong, masculine jawlines but whereas Colton and Cortez’s were chiseled, Cobra’s appeared aristocratic. Some might even say, arrogant. All three had bearded chins and bedroom brown eyes. However, Colton’s lashes were longer. But one thing was undeniable—the Masters’ triplets were extremely handsomemen. There was no doubt in Kelly’s mind that women would immediately notice them when they walked into a room.
“So, how are things going with finding a third location for Masters Unlimited?” Cobra asked.
“So far, so good,” Colton answered. “Tomorrow is our last day to meet with city officials. Then we leave on Sunday for LA. I would have to say New York’s presentations have been very impressive, and Kelly has been doing a fantastic job negotiating perks if we decide to open a third office here. We’re lucky to have her representing us.”
“It’s been fun,” she said, smiling over at him.
At that moment, the waiter came to give them menus. “I take it you’ve been here before, Cobra,” Kelly said.
There had been a slight lull in the conversation when she’d glanced over at Colton and saw him watching her, the look in his eyes stirring something within her. She had been so caught up in it that she hadn’t been able to look away until the waiter had arrived with their menus. There was no way Cobra hadn’t noticed.
“Yes, I have. Several times,” Cobra responded.
“So, what do you suggest?” Colton asked.
Cobra looked at his brother. “I love pork chops, so I usually get the Pork Marsala with mushrooms and asparagus. But I know you’re a steak man, so… You can’t go wrong with their ribeye.” Cobra then looked over at her. “What about you, Kelly? What would you like?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say, “your brother”. But instead, she said, “I love seafood. And I see a number of delicious dishes on the menu.”
“Their South African lobster is to die for, and it comes with a delicious sauce, along with a crab cake and green beans. You might want to try it.”
“Thanks for the recommendation,” Kelly said, closing her menu. She smiled at Cobra. “How’s the financial world treating you?”
Cobra leaned back in his chair, showing both dimples. “Not bad. In fact, I picked up a few new clients this week. Four members of the Jets. They want my help in finding ways to ensure they won’t be able to blow all their money by the time they retire from the NFL.”
He then talked about his upcoming trip. Beginning next week, he’d be traveling around the country holding financial seminars for players in the NFL and NBA. “Now that college athletes are getting lucrative endorsement deals, it’s important that they understand the nature of investments. And thanks to Lakelyn and Saniya’s coach, I’ve recently picked up a few clients from the tennis circuit.”
“That’s wonderful, Cobra,” Kelly said.
“I agree. That’s great, Bro,” Colton chimed in.
“Thanks,” Cobra said, smiling. “So I expect to be busy over the next few months.”
Colton grinned. “Does that mean I don’t have to worry if I take an unannounced weekend trip home to Savannah, only to find you already seated at our parents’ kitchen table?”
Cobra chuckled. “Like you, I go home every chance I get. It’s worth it to experience Inez Masters’ home-cooked meals.”
They paused the conversation when their food was delivered and more wine poured. Kelly thought everything looked delicious and the service was exceptional. “I talked to Cortez earlier,” Colton said. “Victoria is doing well, though she’s complaining about being fat, but eating every chocolate bar she can get her hands on.”
Cobra laughed. “Would you believe Haddison said the same thing about Kennedy when I talked to him over the weekend.The only difference is Kennedy’s obsession isn’t chocolate bars but potato chips.”
“Are their due dates still close?” Kelly asked.
“Yes,” answered Colton. “I guess the Bennett family will split up when the time comes. Some will head to Minnesota when Kennedy delivers, and the others will travel to LA when Victoria has her baby.”
“There’s no need for the Bennetts to travel to LA. The Masters are all over that one,” Cobra said, chuckling. “The folks intend to get there at least a week before Victoria’s delivery date. I talked to Mom this morning. She is over the moon at the thought of being a grandmother, and Dad isn’t any better. He wants to be called Pop instead of grandpa.”
Kelly thoroughly enjoyed her dinner, as well as Colton and Cobra’s company. It was evident Colton and Cobra had a close relationship, and she knew it was the same between the two of them and Cortez. According to Monica’s cousin Victoria, who was married to Cortez, there was never a dull moment when the triplets got together.
The car ride back to the St. Laurent was just as enjoyable. There was nothing more beautiful and majestic than New York at night. Today’s meeting with the mayor and his staff had gone well. She and Colton liked the presentation and the chartered tour of the city, especially Harlem, had been spectacular. She’d taken note of additional vacant lots in the city, other than those the economic agency had recommended, and had texted her team those addresses.
Tomorrow would be another tour day. She and Colton were interested in affordable housing and schools for any employees wanting to relocate from Orlando and Boston to New York, and so they wanted to see what the city had to offer for both public and private education.
Her research had indicated that the cost of living in Boston was far greater than that of Orlando, and the cost of living in New York was substantially more than in Boston.
“You really did a great job today, Kelly. You handled the mayor and his staff admirably. You knew the right questions to ask, and you brought up several points I hadn’t thought of.”
