1
Olivia Shore gazed out through the darkened window of the limousine toward the private jet parked on the tarmac. This was what her life had come to. Flying around the country with a brainless, overpaid jock and too many bad memories—all to hawk a luxury watch.
It was going to be the longest four weeks of her life.
* * *
Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens leaned closer to the jet’s window and peered out at the limousine that had stopped by the plane. Exactly thirty-eight minutes late. A driver emerged and pulled a suitcase from the back, then another, then a third. A garment bag appeared next, followed by a fourth suitcase. He drew his head away from the window. “What in the hell have I got myself into?”
Cooper Graham peered around him to see what he was looking at, and then gave Thad’s tailor-made virgin wool pants and cashmere silk sweater a semi-smirk. “Looks like you might have a little competition for the best dressed list.”
Thad scowled at the man who was both his best friend and a perpetual thorn under his skin. “I like good clothes.”
“Half the time, you look like a damn peacock.”
Thad shot a meaningful look at Coop’s jeans and hoodie. “Only in comparison to you.” He crossed his legs, resting one of his feet, clad in an Italian dress boot with a glove-soft interior, on the opposite knee. “Still, it was nice of you to come see me off.”
“The least I could do.”
Thad leaned into the leather seat. “You were afraid I wouldn’t show up, weren’t you?”
“It might have crossed my mind.”
“Tell me how you did it.”
“How I did what?”
“How you managed to convince Marchand Watches—excuse me, Marchand Timepieces—that having me as a brand ambassador was just as good as having the legendary Cooper Graham.”
“You’re not exactly a nobody,” Graham said mildly.
“Damn straight. And I’ve got the Heisman to prove it. The one trophy even you don’t have stowed away on your shelves.”
Graham grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “Your lack of personal jealousy is what I most admire about you.”
“Since Marchand is the official watch of the Stars, and they couldn’t have you, they wanted Clint Garrett, didn’t they?”
“His name might have been mentioned.”