Page 36 of Win Big

“Okay.”

I’ll be in my office all day with a ton of work to be done. Of course, now knowing Wyatt is going to show up at some point affects my focus, and I immerse myself in spreadsheets to distract me.

A little after noon, I’m contemplating going out to grab a sandwich, but I know as soon as I leave Wyatt will come. And a few minutes later he does stroll in, all sexy, confident swagger.

“Hey,” he says, rapping his knuckles on my open door. “I’m supposed to see you.”

“Did Murray tell you what it’s about?”

“Yeah.” He frowns and takes a few steps into my office. “I gotta say, I don’t know if I’m the best one for this. I don’t have a lot of spare time.”

I purse my lips. “What are you so busy doing in your spare time?”

His mouth tightens. “Stuff.”

“Partying. Women.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, that’s it. Can’t let a good cause interfere with my social life.”

“I don’t think this will interfere that much. As the ambassador for the team, you’ll have to participate in some of the events throughout the month. We need to set up a time for a photo shoot. There are some dates with things already planned, but we can work other outreach efforts into your schedule.”

“I think we should talk about it over lunch,” he says. “I’m starving.”

“Don’t they feed you after practice?”

“Yeah, but I was told to get my ass up here to see you.”

I can’t suppress a smile. “Ah.”

“You hungry?”

I want to lie, but . . . “Yeah.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“It has to be a quick lunch, I’ve got a lot to do. Apparently some charity watchdog is researching us for a report they put out every year.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Who knows how they’ll spin things.” I grab my purse and coat from the small cupboard in my office and follow him out.

We can walk to Aurora, a couple of blocks away. A chill wind tugs at my coat and the scarf wrapped around my neck, and I tug it tighter as we walk down the city street.

Wyatt doesn’t say much until we get to the restaurant. The hostess greets him with a wide smile of blindingly white teeth, her long blond hair hanging in waves down her back. “For two?”

“Yes.”

She checks the seating plan, and nods to a woman standing next to the lectern, pointing down. The other woman, equally gorgeous and wearing a skintight, short black dress, also flashes Wyatt a big smile and says, “Come this way.”

She leads us to a window seat, which is lovely. The sun is bright and warm here inside, out of the wind. Wyatt helps me with my coat, hanging it on a nearby coatrack. I have to admit, he does have nice manners. He even holds my chair for me.

I’ve been here plenty of times; it’s close and convenient for business lunches, and the food is good. So I don’t have to take much time to look over the menu before deciding on the quiche Lorraine. Wyatt orders a croque monsieur.

“You know about this initiative,” I say, once we’ve ordered. It’s existed for a few years now.

“Sure.” He leans back in his chair, shoulders wide in a navy sweater over a blue-and-white-checked shirt, long legs stretched out so far under the table they’re on my side.

We discuss the goals of the program in general and then some of the specific things he’ll be required to participate in.

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