Page 50 of Hot Stuff
“Okay, okay, I can see how that might work… Friends, then more. Yeah, I like that. And if asked, I can say that you’ve supported me in my decision to retire.”
“Only if asked. Otherwise we don’t say anything about it. And if we’re asked when we got together, we can say we decided to make it happen from yesterday. It’s why I was at the shoot.”
“Right. That makes it sound as though we’ve put a lot of thought into this and taken things slowly.”
“Yes, because you live here and have a lot going on, and I live in Baton Rouge and also have a lot going on. Some of which nobody knows about yet.”
He’s nodding. “Yeah, this seems plausible and when the announcement about the franchise and my appointment as head coach come out, people will be less likely to think this is a set up.”
“They can think it’s a set up. I don’t care. I’m not going to let rumors get in the way of us or the Rogues.”
“Me either.” He snags my hand. “Now come here. I want to give you a quick tour of the place.”
“Does the tour include your bed?” I wind my arms around his neck.
“If you want. Although now I’m thinking I can show you the highlights then go back to your hotel, pack up your stuff, and have it delivered here while we go out to dinner. Then I can spend all night giving you that bed tour.”
Walker
We’re barely in our seats two minutes when the first photographer shows up. Leaning over I speak in Oakley’s ear, “Paparazzi across the street.”
To her credit she doesn’t turn to look. Instead she tilts her face toward me and says, “Then kiss me,” before planting her mouth on mine.
It’s a short kiss, nothing more than a peck, but it definitely shows we’re a couple. “You tip them off?”
“No. The hostess did.” Oakley’s gaze moves over my shoulder and delight flashes in her eyes before she shoots out of her seat. “Laken!”
Straightening, I get to my feet beside Oakley and wait for our dinner companions to join us.
Turns out the package I got from Mrs. Cantrell was not only my release papers but a dinner invitation for myself and a plus one.
How she knew I had a plus one to bring I don’t know; then again, maybe she was just being polite.
I shake Rafe’s hand and hide my surprise when Mrs. Cantrell greets me by offering me her cheek.
As I bend down, she whispers, “Call me Laken,” before we complete our hellos.
Once everyone is seated, Oakley asks, “How have you been? I haven’t seen you since…oh.”
“Yes. Gerald’s funeral.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s better off now. The cancer hit hard, and at the end it was a mercy for him to go.” Laken’s mouth tips up in a sad smile. “And he did some things before he went that mean I won’t have to remain where I am.”
Oakley leans closer to Laken. “He did it? He talked with Pa about what he was thinking of doing. They even drew up a plan with the steps he’d need to take but I wasn’t sure, especially with Jerry at the helm of…” Her words trail off when Laken shakes her head.
“He did. And until now, it’s been kept quiet.”
“Jerry doesn’t know, does he?” Oakley asks, a smirk curving her lips. “Because he’d be kicking up a stink if he did.”
“Let’s just say things are going to get stinky around New York in the next few weeks.” Laken’s smile is all pleasure now.
“What do you ladies want to drink?” Rafe asks.
I’m not sure if the change in subject is on purpose or not, because within a few seconds a waiter appears beside our table.
“Oh, I’ll have a gin and tonic,” Laken says before turning to our waiter. “Can you ask the barman to make it in a tall glass, please.”
