To Love a Player (18 page)

"Oh good, you do remember me!" the young woman said as we exchanged hugs. Sarah Nolan had been one of my childhood friends until her family moved to New York. I held her back in my arms as I looked her over, she had definitely grown up into a beautiful woman from the pretty girl I once knew. I hugged her again as I asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I work here, in public relations," Sarah smiled as I finally let her go. I winced and asked, "I don't have to fire you, do I?"

She let out a short laugh as she said, "I sure hope not. Your dad promised mine that wouldn't happen; it was part of the deal."

I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. I had a feeling that there was something more between the two men. Sarah rubbed my upper arm as concern washed over her face, "So, how's it going?"

I took a deep breath, trying to flash her a smile that we both knew wasn't there. She smiled, tilting her head as she asked, "That good, huh?"

"Yeah," I replied, raising my eyebrows as I rolled my eyes slightly. I saw Eli stepping into the hallway, waving that it was time to get started again. I let out a soft grunt and Sarah rubbed my arm again as she suggested, "How about we do lunch? Just give me a call when you are done and I'll meet you up here. There's this amazing place around the corner that you will absolutely love."

"Sounds great!" I said, hugging her quickly before turning and going back into the office. Eli gave me a curious look and I shrugged, "An old friend." He nodded his head slightly while he watched Sarah stand, waiting for the elevator. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, before giving me a coy smile. I waved at her as she slipped in the elevator and Eli and I went back into the room.

The rest of the morning went a lot smoother than earlier. I considered it as progress since I was only threatened physical harm once, but then again we did a lot more consulting with the ones we were keeping than any actual firing. I was glad when Eli said that it was time to break for lunch, I was anxious to talk to Mollie and see what she thought about her surprise.

Her phone rang three times before the voice that seemed to calm my existence answered with a simple, "Hello?"

"Hey beautiful," I said, my face instantly brightened up with a relaxed smile as I looked over the New York City skyline. I could almost feel her beautiful smile coming through the phone as she breathed, "Hey you, how's it going?"

"Better now that I'm talking to you," I remarked. I softly hit my forehead, it sounded so cheesy. Mollie laughed softly. Suddenly, I wished that she was standing in front of me. I could picture her in my mind, standing there, her head tilted as she listened to what I was saying. She would switch from chewing on the end of her thumb or biting her lip while deep in thought. Her beautiful smile flashing softly every once in awhile as she responded to whatever I was saying. It was plain as day, I simply missed her being around.

"What are you and the rugrats up to today?" I ask, leaning against the wall outside of the office. I heard her breath out a soft sigh as she answered, "We are going to attempt an afternoon at the zoo as soon as lunch is finished. How about you?"

Wishing I was going with you, I wanted to say, but instead I let out a sigh, "More meetings. I'm actually about to go have lunch with an old friend, but that's the second brightest spot in my dismal afternoon."

"Second?" she asked with confusion in her voice. I smiled into my phone as I said, "Yep, talking with you right now is definitely the number one brightest spot in my day."

"Aw," she gushed and I felt a warmth spread through my body. I wished that I could kiss her soft lips through the phone. I couldn't wait to see her on Friday evening. Speaking of Friday evening, I asked, "So did Lacey give you anything this morning?"

"Yes," she replied with a soft, happy sigh, "she did. I can't wait to see you either and thank you for arranging this for me."

"Anything for you—always," I said and looked up when I heard the elevator doors open. Sarah stepped out and motioned me towards her while she held the doors open with her foot. Sighing, I knew that I needed to end the conversation. I tried to disguise the hint of sadness in my voice as I softly said, "I've got to go, but I promise to call you later. Have fun at the zoo."

"Okay," she said, sounding a little sad herself, "bye."

"Bye, beautiful," I smiled and listened as she sighed sweetly, then said, "I love you."

"I love you, too," she murmured and we hung up. Sarah was watching me with an amused expression with her eyebrows raised. I tried to wipe the giddy smile off my face, but it was useless. She smiled at me as she asked, "Wife?"

"No, girlfriend," I sighed, still smiling happily. I could feel my cheeks blushing as I stood there, my head full of thoughts of Mollie. They were interrupted when Sarah bursted out laughing and I asked, "Is there a problem with that?"

Sarah grabbed my arm as she calmed down, still stifling back a laugh as she shook her head, "Not for us, but definitely for our fathers."

I shot her a confused look, waiting patiently for her to explain. She fanned herself as she said, "My father doesn't exactly approve of my relationship, so he thought that by getting your dad this deal that it would be sweeter if we got together."

I knew there was a reason I was put in charge of this takeover. My dad had a habit of pimping me out on business deals with the daughters of the men he was doing business with. It happened more often than I cared to admit, and one of the reasons I never had an actual girlfriend other than Sophie—but that didn't count.

I closed my eyes as understanding washed over me. I was definitely done with Grey Enterprises—I was quite certain of it. If I had to beg, steal, and lie for the rest of my life, I wanted it on my terms, not his. Anger flashed through my veins and I could feel my hands clenching. I was tired of being a pawn in my dad's business game.

Sarah placed a hand on my arm and I shot her a hard look. Quickly shaking my head of the anger I was feeling because it wasn't her fault my dad was such an ass. I quickly apologized, "I'm sorry Sarah."

"For what?" she asked, patting me on the shoulder. She nudged me with her elbow as she asked, "Who is the forbidden girlfriend?"

"Her name is Mollie, but he hasn't met her yet or else he wouldn't have sent me here," I replied with a small smile. He would approve of Mollie; I had a feeling that Sophie was the root of this. I sighed, "I have a feeling that it was the other relationship he was trying to destroy."

"Other relationship?" Sarah asked, squinting her eyes at me in confusion. We stepped out into the lobby and I replied, "I was dating someone before my current girlfriend and I have a feeling that this deal was made before she..."

"Stole your heart?" Sarah asked softly in understanding. I nodded, smiling warmly as we stepped outside of the building. I looked over at her and asked, "So what about your forbidden relationship?"

"Oh that?" Sarah asked, waving her hand dismissively, then stated, "I'm a lesbian and my dad thinks that if he sets me up with as many men as possible that it will make me bat for the other team."

My mouth nearly hit the sidewalk as it dropped open. She laughed, touching my arm and said, "Yeah I know, didn't see that one coming, huh?"

I shook my head as she smiled, "Oh come on, I was always a tomboy and didn't figure out why I wasn't like other girls until I went to Creston Academy. My roommate was a lesbian and one night, on a dare, I kissed her and felt so liberated. My father, of course, was furious and kept saying that it was just a phase. My mother told me that it made a lot of sense to her and she supported it, which is surprising since you know my mother."

I nodded in agreement. Sarah's mom was the girliest woman I knew and it was hard to picture her being understanding of her daughter's preference of the same sex. Sarah smiled as we stopped at a place bustling with a lunch crowd. She waved at a pretty brunette who stood up from a table near the sidewalk. I didn't have to guess that they were together, especially since Sarah kissed the girl softly on the mouth like I would do if I was greeting Mollie.

Sarah linked her arm through mine as she practically beamed, "Callen, I'd like you to meet Liana West, my better half. Lia, this is Callen Grey."

"So nice to finally meet you! I thought maybe I was going to be dumped like last Christmas' fruitcake. All I've heard for weeks has been 'Callen this' and 'Callen that'," Lia said as she hugged me. I shot Sarah a confused look as she smiled sheepishly, "I was a little too excited about seeing you again, sorry."

I laughed as I hugged Sarah, kissing the top of her head. Suddenly, being in New York wasn't going to be so bad after all. As soon as we sat down, Sarah reached over saying, "I want to hear all about this Mollie who has stolen your heart and I hope that I get to meet her soon!"

21

Mollie

The water looked deep and inviting after the long day I had. It was a shame to be climbing into the hot tub all by myself, but I wasn't complaining. The afternoon at the zoo seemed to drain all of my energy and I could use a little "me" time. Lacey had invited me to stay at the house if I didn't want to be alone in the guesthouse, but after I politely declined I think that she understood.

I was about to step in when I heard the doorbell. My heart pounded in my chest as I wondered who it could be. I wrapped my towel tight around me, letting out a nervous breath as I approached the door, peeking out the little window first. I wasn't stupid—I had seen horror movies.

I was surprised to find Scott on the other side of the door. After unlocking and opening the door, I asked, "What are you doing here?"

He held up a bag and smiled a genuine smile as he said, "I brought dinner. I figured that with Cal gone, you might be lonely."

"Oh," I said, taking the bag from his outstretched arm. He slowly looked me over, a small smile twitching on his lips. I cleared my throat and his blue eyes slowly made their way back to mine, making me shift uncomfortably.

"Have you eaten already?" he asked, looking concerned. I nodded, replying, "Yes, I had dinner with Lacey and the kids. I was actually about to take a dip in the hot tub."

"Oh good, then I'll join you," he said, stepping inside the house. I put a hand on his chest, stopping him from moving past me and asked, "Do you even have a swimsuit with you?"

He leaned in close, making me inhale his cedar wood and spice scent. It was earthy and delicious. His lips were almost touching my ear, sending shivers through my system as he said, "I thought that I would wear my birthday suit."

I pushed him gently away and shot him a look as he laughed, his head tilting back. He quickly kissed the side of my head and said, "I'm kidding! I'll just borrow one from Callen, he's got tons."

"You think you're so charming, don't you?" I asked, giving him an incredulous look as he sauntered towards Callen's room. Looking over his shoulder, he winked and said, "That's what they tell me. Oh, and put the ice cream in the freezer, it'll melt if you don't."

I opened the bag and saw my favorite ice cream, Chunky Chocolate Chip. I met his eyes as he was looking at me with an expectant expression by Callen's door. I pulled out the small tub as I said, "This is my favorite, how did you know? Wait, are you Facebook stalking me?"

Scott gave a casual shrug as he said, "No. just a lucky guess and besides, it's my favorite, too."

He shut the door and I put the ice cream away. A few minutes later, he poked his head out of the door and I warned, "You better not be in a Speedo, mister."

"Oh damn, I need to change then," Scott teased as he stepped out in a pair of electric blue swim trunks. I had to bite my lip in order to keep my eyes from wandering over his chisled body, it was a losing battle. He smirked at me when I looked away and I knew that if we just got into the hot tub, then I wouldn't have to see anything but his head above the water.

"Come on," Scott said, tugging on my arm and we walked out to the hot tub. He flipped a switch so that the backlights went off and the only lights were the fairy lights in the bushes, giving the hot tub area a romantic feel. Shaking my head, I flipped the switch back on and said, "There'll be none of that, bucko. Besides, I didn't think you were the type of guy that stole another guy's girl."

"Depends on the guy," Scott shrugged casually as he sauntered to the hot tub ahead of me. I knew deep down that I should make him leave, but for some reason I was ignoring that little voice of reason. I loved Callen, so what was the harm of hanging out with Scott for just tonight? I would tell Callen about it later and I would make sure that nothing happened.

My eyes watched him sink into the steaming water, listening to his audible sigh as he visibly relaxed. I ignored his low whistle as I unwrapped and climbed in after him, making sure to stay on the opposite side. His eyes studied mine seriously for a few minutes. He smirked slightly when he said, "I can see why Callen likes you. You have an incredible body."

My cheeks went slightly pink and I looked down at my hands on my lap. I sighed as I looked back up at him and said, "I know for a fact that Callen loves me for a lot more than just my body."

"Loves you?" Scott asked, eyebrows in the air and a twitching smile on his lips. I nodded matter-of-factly and he laughed, "Cal doesn't know the meaning of the word."

"Ah, but you're wrong," I said, giving him a serious look. Scott reached over, patting my knee and said, "I know Callen quite well and trust me, he wouldn't know what love was if it slapped him across the face. He is a player, he will always be a player."

"People can change when they meet the right person and are willing to become a better person, the person they actually want to be," I said staring hard at him, ignoring his small bursts of disbelieving laughter. Suddenly, my eyes softened and his gaze held mine as I tried to look beyond the model good looks and asked, "Hasn't there ever been a girl that you've met that you found yourself wanting to be a better person for?"

Scott's gaze held steady with mine for a moment before slowly looking away. I saw something in his eyes that intrigued me and I couldn't quite figure out what it was. He let out a deep sigh and spread out his arms across the deck, leaning his head back against the side, and closed his eyes. I found myself looking at him, not lustfully, but in a more thoughtful way. I wanted to know what he was thinking.

"Was I right?" I asked quietly, giving him a thoughtful look. He opened his eyes and furrowed his brow as he asked, "About what?"

"A girl that has made you want to be a better person, someone who has made your breath catch in the back of your throat, that being around them is suffocating—but in a good way," I posed. His eyes looked deep into mine and a long pause hung in the air, before he said, "Yes, but she's taken."

I had a feeling he was talking about me, just from the steady heated gaze he was giving me. I raised an eyebrow and shrugged casually as I stated, "Then it wasn't meant to be."

He broke eye contact, rubbing his hands over his face and splashing the hot water in his hair. I had to admit, he was hot, but I didn't feel anything more than a physical attraction to him. That wasn't enough to ruin what I was beginning with Callen. Scott let out a frustrated sigh as he asked, "Callen, really?"

I nodded, "Yep, Callen."

"You have no idea how pissed my sister is about this," Scott simply stated. I shrugged, swirling the water with my hands and said, "From what I know about your sister and Callen, they were never an actual couple and if she thinks different then maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to cheat on him."

"Sophie likes men as playthings. She uses them until she gets bored or what she wants out of them and then tosses them aside," Scott admitted. "Some of those playthings she comes back to again and again, Callen was one of those. My sister doesn't like when someone takes one from her."

He looked squarely at me and said, "You'll need someone in your corner when she comes back."

Oh great, I thought.

I called Mollie's phone twice and sent her four texts, but she still hadn't answered. I was beginning to panic, wondering if something happened to her. I finally decided to call Lacey and see if maybe Mollie was at her house.

"Hey, little brother, I was just about to call you," Lacey said in a cheery voice when she answered. I smiled, it was nice to hear Lacey in a good mood. "Oh yeah, why is that?"

"Have you talked to Mollie yet?" she asked suddenly and I said, "No, actually that's why I was calling you. I haven't been able to get a hold of her."

"Oh," Lacey said, "maybe she is soaking in the hot tub like I suggested."

"Huh?" I asked and Lacey laughed, "It was a long afternoon at the zoo."

"Ah, I see," I said, somewhat disappointed. I heard Lacey laugh softly into the phone and I asked, "What's so funny?"

"I'm laughing at Elly; she's over here making kissy faces because she heard me talking to you," Lacey giggled once more. I laughed softly along with her before asking, "Why were you going to call me?"

"Oh, I want you to use your chef skills and cater the reception after my show. It's going to be at the penthouse on Broadway, so there is plenty of kitchen space and I'll give you a nice starting budget," Lacey said as my mouth almost hit the floor. A million ideas and questions were flying through my head and I didn't realize that she was saying my name. "Cal?"

"Sorry, Lacey," I said, shaking my head and flopping into one of the plush chairs in my townhouse. I leaned forward and asked, "You want me to cater your fashion show reception?"

"Yep, and you can thank your girlfriend for the idea," Lacey replied and then asked, "So will you do it? I've talked to dad and it took some arguing, but he will let you have time to work on what I need."

"Dad okayed this?" I asked.  Shock ran through me and Lacey laughed, "Yep, it wasn't easy, but I told him that it would be a huge help to me and I was really at my last resort, no offense."

"None taken," I said quickly. She continued, "He argued that you needed to focus on what you were doing and I promised him that it wouldn't interfere because you could manage both. Come up with a sample menu of hors d'oeuvres that would be easy to fix for about a hundred people. Like I said, I will give you a nice starting budget, but don't go crazy."

She paused, letting it all sink in before asking, "So will you do it?"

"Yes, of course! Thank you!" I said, smiling widely. I could feel Lacey beaming through the phone as she said, "Great! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!"

"I will start working on it right away!" I said and then hung up. I grabbed my laptop, closing down the files that I was supposed to look over and started looking up my favorite recipes.

Coming out of my room, I was surprised to see Scott standing in the kitchen, dishing out two bowls of ice cream. Giving him a curious look, I asked, "I thought that you were leaving?"

"Did I say that?" he asked, giving me a cheeky grin and handing me a bowl of ice cream. "I thought that we'd have some ice cream first."

Shooting him a suspicious look, I raised an eyebrow at him and he took a big bite of ice cream out of my bowl. After swallowing it, he said, "I'm not that bad, just misunderstood."

I still looked at him with a wary expression and he sighed while shaking his head. He went over to the couch and sat down, turning on the TV. I slowly followed him and sat down in one of the chairs away from him. I put a bite of ice cream in my mouth and noticed he was looking at me.

"Honestly, I didn't do anything to the ice cream!" he laughed and I asked, "Then why are you watching me like you're expecting me to fall over?"

"Cause it's Chucky Chocolate Chip, duh," he stated in an obvious tone. "It's the best ice cream ever!"

I nodded in agreement. I had to give him that one, this ice cream was awesome. I watched him eat his ice cream and asked, "So why do I need someone in my corner when Sophie comes back?"

"My sister can be a bit of a nasty fighter, especially over a guy. You need someone who can be a buffer between you and her," Scott shrugged and gave me a serious expression. "I've seen stronger girls than you get burned by her."

"Well, she can bring it on because I don't scare easily."