Page 26 of Hail Marry
He nods and finishes off the burger while I watch with admiration. Hey, that kind of body doesn’t grow on a diet of lemon juice and cayenne pepper.
When we get to the high-rise in Century City where Luca’s agent Zach works, we have to kick our heels in his office for ten minutes while we wait for him to get out of a meeting. Zach’s office walls are covered with a myriad of things: motivational quotes, a few awards, and a metric ton of photos with him and various athletes.
I spot a familiar face and get out of my chair to look at the photo.
It’s Luca and Zach. Luca’s in his USC Trojans uniform and, based on the state of his sweaty, curly hair, it’s after a game. I have to admit to a little bit of hair envy. It’s a humbling thing to realize my husband might have better hair than I do. “Did you lose?”
Luca walks over to look at the photo. “No.”
I glance up at him beside me, then back to the photo. He’s wearing the exact same facial expression: stoic. “That’s your expression after a win? I can’t imagine what you’d look like after losing.”
“Like that,” he says, nodding at the picture.
I can’t help but laugh. “Are you one of those people who doesn’t care whether you win or lose? You’re just there for the love of the game?”
A hint of amusement lights his eyes as he looks at me. “You don’t get this far in competitive sports without wanting the wins.”
“But do youfeelit when you win?”
“Of course.”
I turn to him, trying to puzzle him out. How can he be so deadpan while feeling strong emotion? “I get it now. You’re like an emotional mullet.”
“Huh?”
“Business on the outside. Party on the inside.”
That draws an actual smile, and nowIfeel like I just won a big game.
“Callahan!” Zach strides into the office, wearing a blue-checked dress shirt, tailored black slacks, and what looks like a very expensive watch. He’s got a head of neatly combed and pomaded blond hair and a pair of blue eyes that flick to me as he shakes Luca’s hand.
“What’s up, man?” he says. “You doing okay?”
“Yep,” Luca says. He’s a one-word-answer pro, I’m coming to find.
“Who’s this?” Zach examines me and puts out a hand.
“She’s…um…my wife.”
Right to the surprise, then.
Zach’s hand pauses with mine mid-shake. “What now?” He cocks his ear toward Luca.
“This is my wife, Victoria,” Luca repeats, straight-faced.
“Your…wife.” Zach’s gaze jumps between us, waiting for the punchline, then settles on me.
I clench my teeth together and smile. “Surprise!”
He drops my hand. “Wait.” He turns to Luca. “You’remarried?”
“Yeah.”
“No, you’re not.” He shakes his head. “I know your file. I’d know if you were married.”
“And now you know.”
Zach scoffs, but Luca’s direct gaze has him second-guessing himself. “Since when?”
