Page 26 of Only for Tonight
“Um, yeah, sure,” I say, turning back to Spencer who talks to the hostess now.
She escorts us to the table, and I wish I could say I’m focused on this meeting, because I’m one thousand percent not. I take the chair that faces Ariella and Zoey instead of having Spencer sit in it. I want to tell myself it’s because I like to face out, but the rude reality is probably because I don’t want him looking at her.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” Spencer starts and I nod my head, while the waiter comes over to tell us about the specials. I see Zoey looking over at my table a couple of times and then Ariella says something to her so she stops. My stomach gets tight wondering if she’s telling her about our night together. “So tell me about yourself, Jaxon.”
The minute he asks me that question, I immediately know I’m not going to have him as my agent. Someone who is supposed to be interested in working with me, he should have done his homework a bit before meeting with me. “Why don’t you tell me what you know about me?” I turn the tables on him.
“I know you were drafted to Minnesota and then got traded to LA.” I nod my head. All he would have to do to find out that information was read the bio on my social media. “I know you have a couple of contracts that are coming up to be renewed”—I nod at him—“and I think we can look for better offers?—”
“I’ve been with the same sponsors for the last ten years,” I cut him off. “Some took a chance on me when I was a rookie and have gone above and beyond to make sure I was happy with the product.”
He smiles a crooked smile. “That’s all fine, but now you aren’t a rookie. It’s time to pay you what you are worth.” He sounds like a used car salesman, and if I didn’t like him before, it’s growing even more as he speaks. “I have a client who I can’t name, obviously, that…” I swear it’s like my hearing stops. I can see his lips moving, but it’s like he has no voice.
I try not to look over at the table while I’m having a meeting with Spencer, who I already decided when I walked in I was not going to work with. I want to tell myself it’s because he seems slimy, instead of the fact he dated Ariella and I just don’t fucking like him.
“I think we can get you a couple more sponsorships,” he says at the end of the meal, where I’ve said maybe five words. I wonder if he’s noticed since he was so busy talking about himself.
“That sounds good,” I tell him, grabbing my phone before pushing away from the table. “Why don’t you and I touch base next week?”
“That sounds amazing.” He puts his linen napkin on the table, getting up. We stop at the hostess stand and shake hands as I watch him walk out the door. I’m happy he didn’t go back and talk to Ariella, which is fucking stupid since I have no claim to her. Fuck, she showed up at my house and my ex-girlfriend came down the stairs wearing my fucking shirt. My teeth grit when I remember how it went down. I’m going to walk out but instead head over to the table where Ariella is sitting down.
“Hey,” I greet, and she looks up at me, licking her lips. Her tongue makes my mouth water. Fuck, everything about her sets me off. She’s wearing an outfit that really shows off nothing and to me it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s because I know what she has under it is better.
“Hey,” she says softly as she scoops some ice cream in her spoon. I can see her trying to remain calm but also probably wondering what the hell I’m doing at the side of her table. “You remember my cousin Zoey.”
“Vaguely,” I answer her honestly and then reach out my hand to shake hers. “It’s nice to see you again.”
She smiles at me and extends her hand to shake mine. “It’s good to see you again also.” She lets go of my hand. “It’s okay, there are a million of us.” She waves her spoon in the air. “I’ve been to a couple of your games.”
“Really?” I say, not sure why I’m as shocked as I am since her family comes from hockey. It’s only normal that they would come to a couple of games.
“Yeah, usually when my Uncle Matthew visits, he likes to round up whoever is in town.”
I nod. “Oh yeah, that makes sense. Have you lived here long? I thought most of the family was either in Dallas or New York.”
“I moved out here for a job,” she answers, “eloped with my boss a week later and, well, the rest is history.”
Ariella laughs. “Like it’s no big deal how she slid in there that she eloped after a week.”
“Well, it looks like it’s working out for her,” I note, then turn back to Ariella. “I’m heading out,” I tell Ariella, who just nods at me.
“We’re going to finish up here and then I have to drive her home”—she points to Zoey—“and I’ll give you a ring.”
“Give you a ring?” Zoey questions. “Is that English?”
Ariella closes her eyes. “I think it’s British, I was watching The Crown yesterday.”
I chuckle at her and see her cheeks turning pink when the memory of her on the desk in the hotel comes back to my mind. “Okay, well, ring me up,” I joke, then look at Zoey. “Nice seeing you again. Next time you are at the game, let me know.”
“Will do.” She smiles at me. “The pleasure was all mine,” Zoey says before I turn and walk away from Ariella, not wanting to walk away from her at all. I take two steps out of the restaurant and dial her number; it rings three times before she picks it up.
“Hello?” she asks, her voice filled with confusion.
“Just wondering if you put in the right number,” I say, walking to my SUV. I’m not chancing that she put her number in my phone by accident and I have to go another two days without communication.
“I think I know my own phone number, Jaxon,” she jokes with me. “I’ll call you as soon as I drop off Zoey and it gives me the ETA to your place.”
“Do you want me to wait and go with you?” I ask her, sitting in my SUV, looking in the rearview mirror to see if she is going to come out of the restaurant anytime soon.
