Catch

“I can help him build his career,” I state without reservation. “He’ll be in the right hands with me.”

She reaches to press the button to hold the doors open. “Go back to the office, Keats. Don’t keep them waiting.”

I glance at the lobby to see Pace on the approach. “What the hell?”

“You swore, so that’s a hundred dollars. I asked Pace to drop by to meet Fletcher face-to-face.”

Jesus. This woman is incredible. I asked Pace to join us too, but he claimed he had plans he couldn’t break. Fletcher is going to be over the moon when he sees his idol walk into my office.

“Maren!” Pace calls as he nears us. “I’m here just for you.”

She motions for him to step into the elevator. “I can’t thank you enough, but I need to leave.”

The smile on his lips disappears. “Seriously? You’re leaving me with this guy?”

“You two will be just fine.” She steps off the lift. “Have fun.”

We both stare after her as she walks away while the doors slide shut.Chapter 22MarenI scoot around Dudley as I head out of my bedroom. I’m showered and dressed for the day. I didn’t put much effort into how I look this morning. I don’t have the energy. I spent most of last night tossing and turning in my bed.

When I got home from work yesterday, Arietta wasn’t here, so I paced the living room floor talking to myself until she opened the door.

Self pep talks are something my mom taught me. I’d catch her walking up and down the hallway in our penthouse when I was a child.

Sometimes she was trying to convince herself that she would pass over a piece of chocolate cake after dinner. Other times, I’d listen as she questioned whether she was a good mom.

I always stepped in when that happened. My mom devoted herself to me when I was growing up. She walked away from a promising career as a psychologist to stay home and care for me.

When I was twelve, she went back to work, and the light that had dimmed inside of her was bright again.

For years, she was always the person I’d go to for advice. That changed when she retired. I didn’t want to burden her with my problems when she was finally settled into a calm place.

Bianca Marks is the person I look to for help now.

We met seven years ago at a yoga class. Bianca was cursing out a creep who was eyeing up the instructor. She chased the guy out of our class.

After that, we hung out a few times and built a friendship that has stood up to job changes, relationship disasters, and a few vacations together.

Arietta and I are close, but if something weighs heavy on my mind, I know Bianca will cut through the bullshit and give it to me straight.

I press the video call button on my phone, hoping I won’t wake Bianca up. I crawled out of bed when I heard the apartment door shut as Arietta raced out of here before daybreak. Her boss must still be in Italy, barking out orders across the ocean.

I sit patiently waiting for the call to connect.

Bianca’s messy brown hair comes into view. I can tell her head is resting on a pillow. One of her blue eyes cracks open.

“Hey, Bianca,” I say quietly. “How are you?”

She shifts the phone to show the pristine state of the pillow and bedding next to her. “Alone.”

I laugh aloud. “I’m glad I didn’t interrupt anything.”

Both of her eyes spring open. “I’m not. I wish there were something to interrupt.”

She sits up far enough that the white silk bra she’s wearing pops into view. “What’s happening, Maren? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reassure her with a nod of my head. “I started a new job a few days ago.”

She rakes a hand through her long hair as she shifts her position again. “What happened at Knott?”

“Christian fired me.” I sigh.

“He’s a joke.” She laughs as she places the phone down. “I’m going to grab a robe. Don’t hang up.”

“I won’t,” I call out as I watch her arm move across the screen.

“There,” she says as she comes back into view with a light blue robe wrapped around her body. “Where are you working now?”

“Morgan Sports Management?”

“Keats Morgan is your boss?”

That surprises me enough that I suck in a breath. “You know him?”

She shakes her head. “I know of him. He’s a pretty big deal.”

He seems to think so .

“It’s only been a couple of weeks since we talked.” She tilts her head. “You landed on your feet quickly. I’m happy for you.”

I know Bianca has to get to work, so I spit out what I called to say, “He’s trying to land a new client. He’s a big deal college baseball player.”

“What’s his name?” She rubs her hand over her eye.