Page 35 of Playmaker

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Callie

“Did you have a good weekend,Ms. Smith?” Leonie, my assistant, smiled at me as I passed her desk.

“Yes, thank you. And you?”

“It was nice to get outside, wasn’t it?”

I frowned. “How did you know?”

Her smile dropped. “I’m sorry—your nose is just a little pink and I see you don’t have any hours logged for Sunday again.”

“That’s okay, Leonie. You’re right, I did get out. It was good.”

She nodded anxiously. I’d worry that I somehow scared her, except she was like this with everyone, as far as I could tell.

“Mr. Anderson wanted to see you when you have a chance.”

“Can you ask when’s a good time for him? Rearrange anything you need to on my end.” If a partner wanted to talk to me, I would make it happen.

We were able to find a time just before lunch. His secretary sent me in. Mr. Anderson had a corner office, with a large desk and a couch and chairs. It was three times the size of mine, but I was happy with my office. Having my own walls and a door felt like my position in the firm was secure. But if I was partner, it would really be secure.

To get that, I had to demonstrate my value to the firm, so I was anxious about what Mr. Anderson wanted.

“Calliope! Thank you for making time.”

“Of course, sir. How may I help you?”

He waved a hand at the couch. “Have a seat.”

I sat down, perched on the edge. At work I wore suits with skirts. The tops were loose enough that my breasts weren’t conspicuous and the jacket and skirt a little baggy, but if I had to struggle up off the cushions, I didn’t want to flash Mr. Anderson.

He sat in a chair, crossing his legs and steepling his fingers together. His suit was a light gray, and for once I noticed the color choices and fit of what he was wearing. My own outfit was subdued and bland, but Anderson’s spoke of confidence and maturity.

Cooper would approve. I wanted to shove him out of my head, but it was becoming obvious that he had a point. My plan to make partner andthenworry about how I looked? Might not work.

“I appreciate the information you prepared for Carruthers. He wasn’t happy with the firm he was using, and what you sent over gave him the confidence in us to transfer his business over.”

I smiled. I kept it contained and polite but inside I was grinning ear to ear and dancing.Yes!The petty part of me wanted to see Benson’s face when he heard the news. The anxious part of me was reassured that the stupid green dress hadn’t torpedoed my career.

“We’ll have to shuffle things around, but you’ll be doing a lot of work for Carruthers. We will definitely make note of this when it comes time for year-end bonuses. I hope that makes it worth interrupting your tête-à-tête?”

My—oh right.That talk with Cooper. “Not a problem.”

“Is Cooper a friend of yours?”

What the hell was I supposed to say? The curiosity in his expression indicated that he would prefer it if he was. Damn, this firm liked athletes. Did Anderson think I might bring Cooper in as a client? Yikes. That was not happening.

“That was actually the first time I spoke to him.”

Anderson looked disappointed. “Ah. Well, I hope he didn’t feel we were rude, doing business at a charity event.”

I spoke before I thought this through. “He didn’t say anything negative about it when we went to Briarwood.”

Fuck.Bragging about spending time with the man like he was a trophy I’d scored? I didn’t like that. But I wanted Anderson happy with me. I wanted to show I could not only handle tax matters, but also do the people part of being a partner—like networking and hanging out with celebrity athletes.

“Oh, he took you there?”

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