Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“After I saw Zane, I had a call with Braxton, and we set up an early tee time,” I say, switching gears. “Nine holes tomorrow on his favorite course.”
“I bet you’ll have him signed by the eighth,” Vance says.
Adriana laughs but answers diplomatically, managing expectations. “Maddox is good, but I’m not sure Braxton is making any quick decisions.” She embodies my favorite trait in a co-worker—realism.
But Vance hardly seems bothered by that hill to climb. “Pfft. How can you beat the resources at CTM?”
My desk speakerphone crackles before he can say more, and my admin cuts into the call. “Maddox, I have Priyam from Bespoke on line one. You asked me to interrupt you.”
Wow. That’s fast. I talked to Priyam’s chief marketing executive just yesterday. I didn’t expect the CEO to call me himself, or this soon.
Vance’s eyebrows shoot sky high, and he waves goodbye, shooing me along. “Go, go, go.”
This is a damn good sign, but I keep my enthusiasm in check as I click over. “Hello, Priyam. Good to hear from you so quickly. How’s the family?”
We make small talk about his grandchildren for a few minutes, and then the London man says, “So about Zane Archer. Tell me more. I’m very interested.”
A full hour of fantastic conversation later—during which Priyam and I checked out Zane’s press shots from events over the last few years—the British man says, “Let me have my team put together some ideas. We’ll be back in touch soon.”
“I can’t wait,” I say.
The second we hang up, I’m beyond stoked to call Vance and deliver an update. I pace by the windows as I give him the news, finishing with, “He wants to meet with me when I go to London next week to see some of our international partners.”
Vance hoots. “I can’t resist. I’m going to have to tell Zane right now. And since he’s still in town tonight, you should take him out for a drink after the game.”
Tonight. Zane. Me. A bar.
That’s entirely too tempting. I survived a few daylight hours in Venice with him, but I don’t want to take chances with nighttime and alcohol.
“But we don’t have a deal yet,” I say, even as my heart rate speeds up as I picture seeing Zane.
“Who cares? Go to the game. Take him out. Let him know we give a shit about him. Wait! I know. Sebastian Lowe’s agent is hosting a little rooftop shindig over at Hotel M. Take him there. I’ll tell him to bring some of his teammates.”
A rooftop fête. Other people. That’s so much safer.
Still, my pulse thunders as I agree, racing when I hang up.
This is the problem—the way I react to him. I need to solve it before I see Zane tonight.
At the window, I stare at the courtyard below. Men and women in smart shirts and crisp slacks crisscross to the elegant restaurant in the center. Some of the sports and entertainment business’s biggest deals are made there over martinis and kale salads, hold the dressing.
That’s who I am. A dealmaker. An agent and an attorney. Not every agent is a lawyer. But if you are one, you have to follow the rules of the legal profession.
And attorneys don’t sleep with clients because it’s not fucking fair to the client. Undue influence and all. I won’t do that to Zane or to anyone else.
Every time I go into a meeting, I set my intentions. I’ll do the same for tonight.
Be the pro he needs. Focus on the deal. Treat him like a star.
That. Is. All.
Then, I text Bryan and tell him I have two tickets to the game tonight and he’s coming along.
Well, it’s best to show up with a friend. I don’t want anyone to think I have a thing for the first baseman—especially the first baseman himself.
4
SO AGENT-Y
Zane
I’m about to toss my phone into my stall before heading to the field for tonight’s game when it buzzes in my hand.
C’mon, be from Maddox.
Eagerly, I unlock it.
I’m still buzzed from Vance’s call a few minutes ago, telling me about the new sponsorship prospects. But I want to hear the deets from the man making things happen.
So when I swipe up and read his name, I feel like the universe is looking out for me.
Maddox: First baseline. Right behind the home team’s dugout. I’ll be here with my buddy, Bryan. He’s been staying with me for a few weeks. P.S. Hotel M for the rooftop pool party—it’s about twenty minutes from the ballpark. We can meet there later. You can bring a friend if you want.
For a hot second, I bristle over the mention of Maddox’s friend. But the last time Maddox used that word, he meant it precisely. Besides, being a jealous asshat is not a good look.
Zane: Hotel M? Sounds like one of your make-it-up on the fly brands. Does the M stand for Maddox?