Page 4 of Playmaker

Butthere, that was the thing I’d make an exception for. Ten lessons with the golf pro at Briarwood. If the bids didn’t go too high, that was what I wanted. Surely most of these people already knew how to golf. This wouldn’t be that desirable.

I wrote down a bid that made me cringe, but if I wanted to win, I had to take a risk.

“Learning to golf, Callie?”

I stiffened and turned to find Benson, another associate at the firm who for some reason had taken a dislike to me. He was wearing a tailored suit, and it didn’t have any wrinkles, unlike my dress. I forced myself to smile instead of answering.

“Is someone hoping to be invited to the partners’ tournament? Sure you want to spend so much money on a long shot?”

Asswipe.I kept the insult inside because I wasn’t stupid, but it was tempting to let go sometimes. I reminded myself that Ihadbeen invited this year, for the first time, which was a sign of approval from the partners. It would take years to make it to partner, but there was a track successful associates followed, and I’d noted each step.

I lifted my chin. “This is for charity. If it was just about learning to play, there are other options.”

Theoretically, that was true. But realistically, learning to play golf at Briarwood, where the tournament was taking place? That added extra value.

“Take all the lessons you want. It won’t help. What you need to know to fit in at the club, to be partner material, doesn’t come from golf lessons.”

That jab hit home. There was a lot I needed to figure out, but at least if I was at Briarwood I had the chance to watch people there and learn. I’d overcome a lot of my past doing that. I hadn’t been brought up with money and country club memberships. But I’d been invited here, and to the tournament, because I did add value to the firm. “What you need to know to win cases and maintain clients doesn’t come from the country club.”

Benson shrugged. “We’ll see.” Then he smirked and walked away.

Asshole.

I didn’t know why he loved to harass me. His area of intellectual property didn’t overlap with tax often. But ever since I’d joined the firm, he’d done his best to make me feel unwelcome.

I saw a quiet corner nearby and made my way over. I preferred to watch at events like this, and I wanted to keep an eye on the bidding on the golf lessons. I didn’t know why Benson was such an ass to me. It wasn’t my gender—he seemed to get along with other women. I’d heard a rumor that he’d wanted to work in tax but hadn’t been able to keep up with the courses. He might have thought I was a threat, since I was pretty sure he wanted to make partner as well.

Maybe it was just a personality thing. Because I disliked him more than anyone else in the office, including the man who brought in egg salad sandwiches for lunch.

Then a voice spoke behind me. “I can help you.”

Chapter2

That’s legal 101

Callie

My head whippedup to see who was talking. How had I not heard him approaching? A tall man, with blue eyes and blond hair, wearing a tux that looked made for him, hands shoved in his pants pockets. He was gorgeous and vaguely familiar.

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you talking to me?”

He smiled, showing a dimple, confidence oozing out of every pore. He and Benson—did they take classes to learn that? He clearly expected the smile was going to get him something. I crossed my arms and frowned.

He waved his hand around us, since for the moment there was no one else within ten meters. “Yes, I’m talking to you.”

“What do you want?”

“You heard me. I want to help you.”

Was he a client, or one of the hockey players? He was certainly tall and fit enough. Better to be careful with what I said. “What do you think I need help with?” I forced a polite smile while I tried to work it out, but I didn’t think I succeeded.

“Golf lessons.”

I stiffened. I could see where this conversation was going, and that was a hard no. With his large body between me and the room, he’d made a private corner for us to talk. Yeah, the dress was a mistake.

Then he added, “And country club lessons.”

Shit.I needed that. Benson had been right, and this guy knew it. Not hard to guess what he wanted in return. Still, in case he was a client, I couldn’t tell him to fuck off the way I’d like to. “I’m not having sex with you.”

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