Page 36 of Playmaker

I couldn’t be upset that Anderson didn’t think I was a member. He was, and he’d know if an associate at the firm had somehow scored a membership. They probably had a long waiting list. “A couple of times. Since I was invited to the tournament in September, I want to be sure I represent the firm well.”

Was that too much of a suck-up? It was the truth, but perhaps I should have been a little less keen.

“I’m sure you will. Are you going again? Might I see you there?”

“I think we’ll be there again Sunday.” We were, right? Damn, I hadn’t done anything but hit the ball on the practice range either week. How bad would I look on the greens?

Anderson spread out his hands. “We won’t be there this weekend—we’ve got guests going out on the boat. Maybe another time?”

“I hope so.”

Anderson stood, so our meeting was over. “Thanks for stopping by, Callie. And tell your young man I’m looking forward to seeing him at Briarwood.”

“Oh, we’re just friends.” No way was I letting one of the partners, the one I knew best, think there was something more than golf lessons going on. It was a surprise that he thought there might be.

“Ah.” He nodded. “Mr. Cooper does seem to go through a lot of dates. Friends probably last longer.”

I nodded and left his office, taking a shaky breath. I wasn’t sure what was going on with Anderson and his expectations, but I’d better not mess up my career.

When I got back to my office, Benson was talking to Leonie. I narrowed my eyes. I hoped she was being discreet.

She glanced up with wide eyes. Her shoulders dropped. “Here she is now.”

Benson turned and raised his brows. “Early lunch?”

My hours were none of his business. I smiled reassuringly at Leonie. She hadn’t told Benson where I was, which probably indicated she hadn’t been sharing anything she shouldn’t. I crossed my arms. “Why, did you want to join me?”

I brought my own meals and ate them at my desk. That way I could keep on top of updates and notices without impinging on my billable hours. I didn’t know what Benson did for lunch, but I doubted it was a turkey sandwich and an apple.

“Krys had a question that I thought you might have some advice on, but you weren’t here, so…”

Was he going to run back and tell someone I was slacking off? Was that why he kept dropping by my office? “Not that I need to clear my schedule with you, but Mr. Anderson asked to talk to me. I feel so special, with two partners both wanting my input.”

Benson’s mouth turned down. “I’ll send you an email about that question.”

I nodded. “Probably a more efficient use of your time than dropping by in person.”

He shrugged. “I was passing by anyway.”

I lifted a brow. The lawyers in this section of the office had very little to do with Benson’s area of intellectual property.

He turned and left.

“I don’t think he likes you,” Leonie whispered.

“I know. I’m not sure why.”

“If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

The offer surprised me. It seemed out of character. Maybe Leonie wasn’t a total mouse. Maybe she was all about girl power, or maybe Benson had been unpleasant. In any case, I was happy to have an ally. I wasn’t good at making those.

Chapter12

A nicely dressed disaster

Cooper

In the offseason,my sponsor commitments increased. Between the workouts with the guys still in town and those obligations, the week went quickly, and I was looking forward to seeing Callie again. I expected she’d be prickly to start, but once she relaxed, she was interesting.

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