“I wanted to hang out. I didn’t know you were hosting a get-together for Kyle.”

“You’re more than welcome to stay.” He looked confused. “It’ll probably turn into a party later.”

“In that case, I’ll come back after I change clothes.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He unfastened the top buttons of my coat and paused when he reached the middle one. He raised his eyebrow and smiled, trailing his finger along the lace of my bra.

“You came up here because you wanted to have sex?” he asked.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Be honest.” He was still smiling. “You should be able to be honest with me like I’m honest with you.”

“I did not come up here to have sex with you, Grayson. I came up here to study.”

“Without any books? In lingerie?” He undid the last button. “You would’ve worn one of your sweaters if that was the case.”

“I just forgot to put on pants, and a shirt.”

“It’s twenty degrees outside.” He pushed the coat off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. “Try again.” He kissed my lips. “You can easily say, Yes, Grayson. I’m horny and I wanted to fuck you.”

“That’s not what I would say.”

“It’s what you should say, from here on out.” He kissed me again and hit the lights. “I’ll never turn you down.”

“Does this mean you’re not going back to the dinner?”

“It does.” He pulled his shirt over his head. Then he pushed me back onto his mattress. “Admit that you came up here because you’re horny and you wanted to fuck me, first.”

“Fine.” I smiled. “I came up here because I’m horny and I wanted to fuck you. Happy?”

“Yes.”

GRAYSON: THEN

Seven years ago

Pittsburgh

ATTENDING ANOTHER BUSINESS dinner was the last thing I wanted to do tonight. The one I'd participated in the night before, an introduction to a financial advisor, was three hours too long. It was a boring rehash of information I already knew, and the new things I wanted to know were met with an, "Oh, um. It's better if you google that when we get done here."

The only reason I hadn't canceled tonight's meeting with my agent was because I needed to resign a contract. That, and Charlotte and I were exhausted after having sex in her dorm room all afternoon.

“Do I look okay, Grayson?” Charlotte looked up at me as we walked through the doors of Monterey Bay Fish Grotto. She was wearing one of her sexy gray dresses and red colored heels.

"You look like you're going to be a distraction for me during this dinner."

She smiled, and we headed toward the private room near the back. The second we stepped inside, a red-headed woman and a blonde stood their feet.

“Nice to meet you in person, Grayson,” the red-head extended her hand to me. “I’m Anna Paige.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said. “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte.”

“Ah! Grayson has told me a lot about you, Charlotte.” She smiled and shook her hand as well. “I’m happy I get to put a face to a name.”

“I’m Jasmine.” The blonde shook our hands before we took seats at the table.

“So, first things first," Anna said. "I'm not one for small-talk, and my therapist tells me that I'm a workaholic with no social skills, so I apologize in advance if this meeting is short and to the point. Plus, I'm sure you two will enjoy your dinner a lot more without our presence.”

I like you already. “Short and to the point would be perfect.”

“Great! As your agent, I’ll need to know everyone in your cabinet.”

“My cabinet?”

“The people closest to you,” she said. “These are the people you trust. I currently have Kyle Stanton, Charlotte Taylor, and your mother listed. Is there anyone else?”

“No.”

"Okay." She tapped her phone. "Per your contract with us, I'm ordering you two new phones—one for personal and one for business. I tell all my clients that it's best to have two because you'll learn that everyone who you ever greeted on the street during your undergrad years will suddenly be your best friend when you get drafted. The last thing you need during your rookie season is random people texting or calling you just to prove that they once knew you. Oh, and my agency will cover the phone bills for both for ten years."

"I don't think I need a new phone number," I said. "I've changed it recently."

"No, she's right." Charlotte squeezed my hand. "My dad used to tell his most talented players the same thing when they were heading to the league."

“Okay.” I looked at Anna. “What else?”

"I'm ninety-nine percent sure that you'll be number one overall in the draft, but if you want to attend the pre-combine training to make sure that everyone knows you’re the best, my firm will be happy to cover all the costs.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said. “It depends on which weeks I’ll be vacationing with Charlotte this summer.”

"Got it." She tapped her phone again. Then she pointed to Jasmine. “Jasmine is going to be your second go-to person for whatever you need. I like to make sure that I’m not the only point of contact for my clients. So, if there's ever a time when I don't respond to a text message fast enough or miss an important call from you, Jasmine will be on hand. For you as well, Charlotte."

“What do you mean?” Charlotte asked.

“I mean, I know you’re going to law school, but I’m sure you’ll be coming to his Sunday games and social events whenever you can.” She handed her two business cards. “If there’s ever anything I can do to make you more comfortable in those settings, you can call and let me know.”

Charlotte smiled and tucked the cards into her wallet.

“The last thing I wanted to give you is a final agency contract that you’ll need to sign.” She set a thick legal binder on the table. "This supersedes the previous one you signed. Although we're confident that the terms are great, we'll reimburse you for any costs you incur whenever you get a lawyer to look over it."

“I’ll help you look over it for free,” Charlotte said.

I cleared my throat, preventing myself from saying something highly inappropriate. “Good to know.”

"Do either of you have any questions for Jasmine and me?" Anna asked.

“No,” we said unison.

“Okay, well that’s it!” She and Jasmine stood up from the table. “How painful was that, Grayson?”

“Excruciating,” I said. “Thank you for keeping it short.”

I stood up and gave her and Jasmine one final handshake, and then I moved to the other side of the table. A waiter set a bottle of wine on the table and set down two menus.

"I like Anna," Charlotte said. "I think she'll be able to manage your ego well. Oh, and I meant what I said about looking over your contract, but I think you should hire Frank Baum to look over it professionally. He’s the best lawyer in this city.”

I stared at her.

“What?” She looked confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

"No, I just wish I'd met you sooner."

“I wouldn’t have given you a chance sooner.”

“I think you would’ve.”

“I doubt it.” She laughed. “You probably would’ve approached me with, ‘Hey. I'm Grayson Connors, and I think you're sexy as hell. Give me your phone number,’ and then I would’ve never allowed myself to speak to you again based on principle.”

“I would’ve said sexy as fuck.”

She blushed and picked up her menu.

“Do you still hate seafood places?”

“Absolutely,” she said. “This is my tenth time here with you, and I hate it just as much as the first. I love you, though.”

“I love you, too.”