Page 46 of Fake Out

Tim sighs, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand. “All right, Charlie.”

There’s a resignation in his voice, like he knows he can’t change my mind. For a moment it feels like he wants to say more, but instead he just nods.

“Just be smart about this,” he adds.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “I am.”

“I need to get to practice. I look forward to having you home.”

I can only nod in response; my throat is too tight to answer.

He hangs up and I’m left alone, with the sound of Marissa’s shower still filling the hotel room.

Closing my eyes, I lean back, my heart thumping in my chest. I can still hear Tim’s words echoing in my head. Is he right? Am I only going to bring trouble to my and Marissa’s doors by dating her for real?

The shower cuts off and I sit up straighter, suddenly aware of the silence. A sense of anticipation fills the air — electric, heavy.

The bathroom door creaks open and Marissa steps out, wrapped in a cloud of steam and the hotel’s plush towel. Water droplets still glisten on her skin, catching the soft glow of the bathroom light.

She’s like an angel come down to earth. One look at her is all the answer that I need.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I won’t mess this up with her. Not now.

Not ever.

CHAPTER 20

MARISSA

My phone pings with a text, and I dart my gaze away from my computer and to the screen.

How does this look for dinner? Charlie’s text reads.

Below it is a selfie of him wearing nothing but an apron. He grins big, obviously proud of his joke.

Pressing my hand to my mouth, I stifle my laugh. Isaac is in a meeting, and he hates distractions.

Biting back the giggles, I text Charlie back, asking if he’s the entree or dessert.

Putting the phone down, I open my to-do list for the day and realize that everything is finished. There’s nothing left to do but leave.

And leave I do. I can’t get my butt out of the office fast enough.

Since Isaac’s meeting might go over, and I already know he doesn’t need me, I don’t bother saying goodbye.

Which I’m fine with. Ever since Charlie and I arrived back in Chicago two weeks ago, I’ve kept my nose to the grindstone and haven’t complained about anything.

Mostly, this is because I don’t want to draw too much of Isaac’s attention. I don’t want him to look too closely at my behaviors, at my daily schedule. Because if he does, he might suspect that Charlie is more than my client.

It’s not like I’m breaking any rules by dating him. It just doesn’t look professional. Especially since he’s my very first client.

And so I’m keeping my cards close. For now, anyway.

Soon enough Charlie will be signed, and we’ll be off to the races. Gone are my previous plans of handing him off to Isaac and asking for a different client.

Nope. I’m thinking bigger.

I could start my own agency. With Charlie at the forefront, athletes will flock to my offices.

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