Page 13 of Playmaker

I was. I worked most weekends too, at least one day. There was a lot to keep up with in tax, and I needed those billable hours if I was ever going to make partner. Taking Saturday off? “I don’t know…” I rolled my eyes at myself. I didn’t dither. I knew what I was doing, and I had my time planned out. Cooper was disrupting things, and I didn’t like disruptions.

“Come on, Callie. I have no idea how much I’ll need to teach you, so we should get started now. And you’re going to need to book some time off for the wedding.”

“You’re going too fast.” I hadn’t promised about the wedding. And I didn’t like being pressured.

“I always go too fast. That’s what they pay me for.”

He was trying to fluster me. He wanted to push me into agreeing to something before I was ready. Not happening. They paidmeto be calm and prepared and never taken by surprise. This guy was already pushing my buttons.

“I have work to do this weekend.” I absolutely did.

“Are you saying this golfing thing isn’t important?”

Damn it.It was. For all kinds of idiotic reasons involving networking and social interactions that shouldn’t affect my job and my chance of being partner but did. “I’m not saying that it’s not important. It’s just not the only thing that’s important.”

I heard him sigh. “Okay, Callie, how about Sunday? That give you enough time to work?”

I wanted to say no. He was too confident, too sure. I didn’t know this man. Just that he was a hockey player, had an ego the size of a hockey rink, and was a member of the country club that the firm’s golf tournament was played at. I could guess at a lot more things.

Like, I doubted he’d ever worried about whether he’d be able to have his next meal. Or a bed. Or if he’d be robbed or worse if he fell asleep. He had the confidence of the privileged. Something I was working on. But I’d never forget my past, and that would always shape my future.

I needed to be able to fake some of that confidence. I had no idea why it amused him to offer to teach me to play golf, but I should take advantage. He might flake after, but it was a start.

There would be a price for this, because he wasn’t asking out of the goodness of his heart. Everyone wanted something. I could go this once and find out. I’d at least get to see the place, even if I decided his price was too steep to do this again.

“Callie? Are you there?”

“Yes. I was thinking.”

“Do you have to think that much about a golf lesson?” He was teasing, but this was serious.

“Going to this much effort for someone you don’t know doesn’t make sense.”

He paused, recalibrating his plan of attack. “I told you, I need a date for the wedding.”

“Still seems excessive.”

Another pause, and then he laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. But you’re not the one I’m trying to make pay. That make you feel better?”

I wasn’t sure. “Is it going to jeopardize my position at the firm?”

“No, it’s not going to hurt your job.”

I wasn’t sure he’d know if it would hurt my job, but Mr. Anderson had been impressed that Cooper talked to me. Pushing him like this instead of agreeing was probably too much my own insecurities talking, and not the smartest option. I could gamble on one lesson. “Okay, then. Sunday. What time should I be there?”

“Oh, no. That won’t work. You’re my guest, so I’ll pick you up and drive you.”

I didn’t like the idea of not having my own transportation. But I didn’t know all the rules of a country club, and I didn’t drive. I doubted buses went up to the country club doors, and as exclusive as the place was, I’d never get in on my own. I had to set aside this defensiveness.

“I could meet you somewhere.” Did I want him to know my home address?No.

“Uh uh. I need to make sure you look right.”

What the hell?“What do you mean, look right?”

“Callie, I saw that dress. We can’t have another disaster like that.”

I drew in a breath, ready to tell him what he could do with his judgmental attitude, when I remembered Darcy’s horrified reaction to it.

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