Dad shakes his head as if this confession is neither here nor there. “You’ve always hated my job. Do not lie to me, young lady. You have.”

“I know. Hell.” I stand and pace. “I don’t know, maybe I can make it something more.”

“Sweet Jesus,” Dad snaps. “Don’t you dare go Jerry Maguire on me.”

I almost laugh. Sports agents hate that movie, calling it a fantasy.

“I’m not naive,” I say quietly as I sit back down. “Though, really, Daddy? You do care about your clients’ lives. Don’t deny it.”

“Of course I care. I’m not going to work my ass off for a job I don’t care about. And don’t you use ‘Daddy’ to soften me up,” he counters with a pointed look.

I huff out a laugh then. “Fine. And maybe I’m not entirely clear on what I want. Perhaps I can go into life coaching and planning for athletes. That’s the part that inspires me, not the deals.”

Fi nods slowly. “I can see that.”

Sighing, I run a finger along the edge of the sofa. “I know it sounds weird, and it’s true I’ve resisted having anything to do with Dad’s business for so long. But when I think of doing this, if feels good. Right.” I can’t explain it any other way.

Everyone grows quiet. Then my mom speaks up. “Darling, I want you to be happy in your life. If you believe this is the way, then I support you.”

My throat goes tight. “Thanks, Mom.”

Dad just sighs and plops his butt on the arm of the sofa. “You want to work with me.” He sounds so shocked that I do laugh.

“I can go it on my own, Dad. I don’t mind the challenge. I’ll apply for an internship at an agency.”

“No. You want to learn this business, you’re going to learn it right.” His stern expression eases to wariness. “Or I can set you up with one of my colleagues if you want your independence.”

“If you think you can treat me like any other intern, I’m happy to work with you.”

“Oh, well, thank you for that,” he says dryly. Then he laughs. “Get ready for hell.”

I find myself smiling. “Yes, sir.”

It feels strange this new course I’m plotting, and my insides are still shaking from excess nerves. But for the first time the future excites me. For the first time everything feels just as it should be.

* * *

IvyMac: It is done. Parents are okay with my change of plans. I’m going to try to work with my dad. Tell me I’m not crazy.

GrayG: Not crazy. You’re my girl. So proud of you, Special Sauce.

IvyMac: Come over?

GrayG: Better idea. Go to Red Room Lounge at 8 p.m. Wear a skirt (panties optional but greatly discouraged). Head for the bar. Hot blond dude will be there. Let him say hello first.

IvyMac: ?? And what’s with the cryptic text? Are you on something?

GrayG: No more questions. You’ll like what I have planned. Trust me.

IvyMac: Ok. But only because it’s you.

GrayG: Don’t forget: No questions. Wear a skirt. And a hot top too.

IvyMac: *Grumble*

Twenty-Four

Ivy

The Red Room Lounge isn’t the kind of place I’d usually frequent—at least, not on my own. The decor is tasteful, moody, the walls a deep, lush red. Low-slung cream leather couches are arranged in intimate seating groups. Votive candles flicker on glossy wood tables. For all the style, it’s clearly a meat market. Not in the lively college-age way of Palmers, but for serious businessmen on the prowl.

Eyes follow me as soon as I give the hostess my coat and walk in. I’m aware of every step I take, the way the black-and-white striped A-line skirt I’m wearing slides over my bare legs. On an average-height girl, it would probably rest a few inches above the knee. On me, it’s mid-thigh, and I’m far too aware of my panty-less state.

The thought of flashing the bar with a flick of my skirt fills me with horror. It’s also oddly arousing. I feel naughty, sexy. A rarity for me—I usually either feel a bit like a giraffe or I act like one of the guys.

If I wasn’t looking for Gray, I might have missed him at first glance. He’s standing at the bar, his back to me. I know it’s him because I know every line of his body, the way he likes to plant his feet slightly apart, as if he’s waiting for his next play, and how he always sets his broad shoulders ruler-straight. But he isn’t dressed like the Gray I know. He’s wearing dark dress slacks that cup his fine ass and a soft, gray knit sweater that hugs his muscled torso.

As if sensing my gaze, he turns. Holy hell. His hair is combed back from his brow, highlighting the strong bones of his face, making him appear older, sharper. But how he looks at me sears my skin and has my heart kicking against my ribs. He knows the effect he has on me. It’s there in his eyes and the way the corner of his luscious mouth slowly kicks up.

He’s smiled at me dozens of times, but never like this. It’s pure sex, no tenderness, no familiarity. I should be offended. I’m hot instead, slippery between my legs as I walk towards him.

That assessing stare travels over my body, and the tip of his tongue flicks out to swipe his lower lip. “Hey,” he says when I stop at the bar. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

He’s not even looking at my face but leers at my chest. My nipples stiffen, and he sucks in a sharp breath, a little grunt rumbling deep in his throat.

My lips part, but no words come out. He’s treating me like a stranger. Like he’s Gray but Not Gray. And I remember the text. Head for the bar. Hot blond dude will be there. Let him say hello first. Not “let me say hello,” but him. My heart starts pounding, and flutters fill my belly. I think about the sexual fantasy I told him that lazy morning in bed.