Catch

Earl leans back as the server places a plate filled with seafood in front of him. “I had no idea.”

Fletcher whistles at the steak and vegetables he ordered. “Look at this feast. We should have dinner again tomorrow after we come to the office.”

“We can’t,” Earl says to his son as he pushes a shrimp around on his plate. “We’re meeting up with Buck Remsen and his son for dinner after we stop by Keats’s office.”

For fuck’s sake.

There’s no way in hell I’m letting Finn Remsen and his old man steal Fletcher away from me.

I’m on good terms with most of my competition, but the Remsens and I have a complicated relationship. Finn and I went to high school together. We were close until we decided to pursue the same career path. Since then, we’ve been toe-to-toe battling it out for the same clients.

His dad, Buck, represents some of the biggest names in sports. Finn jumped on board after college to help his dad out.

“It’s time to eat.” Earl taps the handle of his fork against the table. “Here’s to a satisfying meal. This may not be Paris, but the food looks just as good.”

Dude. You’re married. Stop with the flirting.

I take a bite of bread to swallow those words with. I need to keep it together. I didn’t come this far not to sign Fletcher Newman.

Maren leans closer to me as Earl comments to his son about the food. “What just happened?”

Tilting my head so my lips almost touch her ear, I whisper. “I messed up. I’m sorry you were dragged into this.”

She turns toward me. Her eyes lock on mine. “I could have said something.”

“This isn’t on you, Maren.”

“He’s important to you, isn’t he?” She dips her chin. “Fletcher is.”

I nod.

She glances at Earl. “We’ll make it happen. You’re going to be Fletcher’s agent and I’m going to do whatever I can to make that happen.”Chapter 18MarenI don’t know if it was the two glasses of wine, or the fact that I could feel Keats’s breath skirting over my cheek, but I fell under a spell last night. That’s the only explanation I can think of for why I told my boss that I’d do anything to help him sign Fletcher.

After Keats paid the check and we said our goodbyes to the Newmans, I hurried out of Nova.

I needed air.

I walked into the restaurant expecting a buttoned-up business dinner. I walked out as Keats Morgan’s girlfriend. At least, that’s who I am to Fletcher Newman and his father.

There’s no way that this can end well.

Morning light brought a mild hangover along with a dash of reality. We can’t continue this ruse. If Keats signs a contract with Fletcher, it won’t take long before the Newmans realize that my relationship with Keats is business only.

“That’s the third outfit you’ve tried on,” Arietta says from the doorway of my bedroom. She’s still dressed in gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt. I’m not surprised since it’s not even seven a.m. yet.

Dudley is in her arms, wrapped in a pink blanket that was in the box with his things. It’s not that cold out. The puppy doesn’t need to be swaddled.

“Is he all right?” I point toward Dudley.

“He likes to snuggle in the morning.” Arietta plants a kiss next to his ear. “He crawls into bed with me before the break of dawn.”

That’s suspicious since I put him in his kennel each night and close the door.

“Don’t fall in love with him, Arietta,” I warn.

“I told you I don’t like my boss.” She rolls her eyes. “I admit he’s attractive, but when he opens his mouth, it’s all ugly from there. He’s bossy, which makes sense given he’s my boss, but it wouldn’t kill him to say something nice to me occasionally.”

Adjusting the front of the white blouse I’m wearing, I laugh. “I was talking about Dudley, but it’s good to know you think Dominick is hot.”

Her eyes widen behind her glasses. “I didn’t say that.”

“You did.” I wink. “I won’t tell him.”

Shaking her head, she half-laughs. “Promise?”

“If you help me with my makeup, I promise never to tell Mr. Calvetti that you have a crush on him.”

“I don’t,” she states with a grin. “And I will help with your makeup, but I’m curious about something.”

I save her the trouble of asking by explaining why I’m putting so much effort into getting ready for work today. “That baseball player I told you about last night is coming by the office today with his dad.”

Arietta gently places Dudley in the center of my bed, tucking the pink blanket under his chin to make a small pillow. He lowers his head down as he watches her cross the room toward me.

“So do you like the ballplayer or his dad?” she questions as she nears me.