14. Marissa

CHAPTER 14

MARISSA

C harlie and I step out of the taxi in San Antonio, smiling ear to ear. We've just arrived, fresh off the high from our successful meeting in Orlando yesterday. Together, we stroll toward the hotel entrance, luggage trailing behind us like obedient pets.

"Ready for tomorrow's big meeting?" Charlie asks with a grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Yep," I reply, matching his enthusiasm.

We check into the hotel, anticipation bubbling inside me for what the next day holds. As we part ways to head to our rooms, I steal one last glance at Charlie — his broad shoulders, that unruly mop of dark blond hair that somehow always looks perfect. Shaking myself out of the reverie, I shut the door to my hotel room.

Finally. I'm alone, away from the distraction that is my client.

As I start unpacking, though, the phone rings, and I pick it up to see Ria calling.

"Hey, girl," I answer.

"Hey! How are things going?"

"Ria, you wouldn't believe it," I gush, unable to contain my excitement. "The meeting in Orlando went so well. The rep loved Charlie."

"Really? That's great!" she exclaims. "Tell me more."

I sit down on the edge of the bed, eager to share all the details. "Charlie was amazing in the presentation. He was confident, engaging, and he really sold himself."

"Wow. It sounds like you two make a fantastic team."

"We do," I agree, my thoughts drifting back to the moment when Charlie looked at me during the meeting, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. "You know, he's actually much more than just a good-looking guy with a killer smile. He's smart, driven… really hardworking."

"Uh-huh," she replies, her tone suddenly teasing. "Sounds like someone has a crush on their client."

"What — no!" I sputter, my cheeks flushing at her suggestion. "I'm just saying he's a great athlete, and we work well together. That's all."

"Sure, Marissa." She chuckles knowingly. "Just be careful, okay? Mixing business and pleasure can get messy."

"Ria, seriously," I insist, trying to sound casual as I hang up my clothes in the closet. "It's not like that. We're just two professionals working together. Nothing more, nothing less."

"All right, all right," she concedes. "But just remember: you've got a bright future ahead of you. Don't let anything or anyone get in the way of that."

"Trust me," I say firmly, determined to prove her wrong. "Nothing will."

"Okay. Good to hear. I need to run, but hugs and kisses. Text me later?"

"Will do. Bye." I hang up the phone and toss it onto the bed.

I try to finish unpacking, but I'm too distracted. My cheeks burn as I pace around my hotel room, replaying Ria's words in my head. As if I would let myself fall for someone like Charlie…

He's a playboy. He's unpredictable. He's… a charming, unbelievably handsome athlete with a wicked sense of humor.

Gulping, I sit on the edge of the bed, feeling a mixture of annoyance and unease. My best friend knows me better than almost anyone, but she doesn't know Charlie. We may have some undeniable chemistry, but we're both professionals who are focused on our respective careers. There's no way I'd risk jeopardizing everything I've worked for over some silly crush.

As I get ready for the dinner we have planned tonight, I slip into a sparkly black dress that clings to my curves and makes me feel confident and beautiful. The dress isn't for him, of course. Not at all.

It's for me.

Tonight, I want to celebrate the success Charlie and I have had so far. I want to play the part of the smart, amazing businesswoman I am.

I quickly apply makeup and style my hair before giving myself a once-over in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me looks poised and powerful, a vision of the woman I've always wanted to become.

As I stride out of my hotel room, the lingering unease from my conversation with Ria begins to fade. I've always been good at separating my personal feelings from my professional life. This time will be no different.

I just need to keep my eye on the prize and remember why I'm here: to build a successful career as a sports agent, not to fall head over heels for some charming, irresistible athlete.

The hotel lobby is a symphony of soft piano music and low murmurs, but the moment I see Charlie, everything else fades into insignificance. He stands there looking every bit the debonair gentleman in his impeccably tailored suit and tie. My breath catches in my throat, and for a fleeting second, I wonder if this is how people feel when they're about to drown.

"Hi," he says, his voice warm and inviting as he takes me in.

I can tell by the way his eyes linger on my sparkly black dress that he's just as taken with me as I am with him. For a moment, I falter. Maybe I shouldn't have dressed up tonight.

Then again, he did, and we had already decided to go somewhere fancy. It's not like I could show up in jeans and a T-shirt.

"Hi." I smile. "You look nice."

"Oh. Thanks." He smooths his hand down his suit. "I figured I'd dust this off for the occasion. You, uh, look beautiful." He ducks his head, and there's something boyish and charming about the gesture.

"Thank you."

He offers me his arm, and I link mine through his, feeling the solid strength of his muscles beneath the fabric of his suit. Together, we walk out of the hotel, my heels clicking rhythmically against the polished marble floor.

We arrive at the restaurant just down the street, and I have to admire Charlie's taste. It's an upscale establishment with dim lighting and a sophisticated atmosphere. The hostess leads us to a table that's tucked away in a quiet corner, surrounded by gauzy curtains that provide a sense of intimacy without completely shutting us off from the rest of the room.

"Charlie, this place is beautiful," I say, drinking in all the opulent details.

"Only the best for my favorite sports agent," he replies playfully, and even though he's being silly, a thrill runs through me at his words.

We take our seats and peruse the menu. I'm feeling even more successful just sitting in a place like this.

"I like this," Charlie says.

I put the menu down. "What?"

He shrugs. "Being here. With you."

Heat spreads through my chest. I can't think straight. I look for something to say, anything but admitting the feelings I have for him.

"My mom and I used to make up stories about people when we went to restaurants," I find myself saying.

Charlie seems amused. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. It was just something silly we did when I was a kid."

"It doesn't seem silly. It seems fun."

The waiter arrives, ending the conversation, and I take it as a relief.

"I'll have the lobster," I tell the man as I hand him the menu.

"Make it two," Charlie says.

The moment the waiter is gone, he leans close to me, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow on his face.

"Okay," he says, grinning. "See that couple by the window? What do you think their story is?"

I stare at him. "You really want to play that game?"

"Sure. Why not?"

I glance over at the older pair, their hands entwined over the tablecloth as they gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.

"Hmm," I say thoughtfully, tapping my chin. "They're celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They met at a sock hop back in high school, and it was love at first sight."

"Nice." He chuckles. "How about the guy sitting at the bar by himself?"

I study the solitary man for a moment, taking in his slightly disheveled appearance and the way he nurses his drink with a distant expression.

"He's a world-renowned scientist who's just made a groundbreaking discovery," I decide, my imagination running wild. "But he hasn't told anyone yet because he's afraid of what it could mean for humanity."

"Wow, that's deep." Charlie laughs, shaking his head in amusement. "Okay, your turn. Pick someone for me to do."

My attention is drawn to a woman seated near the entrance, her head buried in a book as she sips from a glass of wine.

"Her," I say, pointing discreetly. "What's her story?"

Charlie considers her for a moment, then grins. "She's a secret agent, undercover as an unassuming bookworm. Little does anyone know, she's got a hidden agenda and is waiting for her target to walk through the door any minute now."

"Brilliant!" I laugh, clapping my hands together in delight.

As we continue to invent intricate backstories for our fellow diners, my anxiety seems to lift, leaving me feeling lighter and more carefree than I have in ages.

But as the evening wears on, I find myself increasingly aware of Charlie's presence beside me — the way his laughter fills the air like music and how his touch sends shivers down my spine when he reaches for the wine bottle. He's charming and witty, making it impossible not to be drawn to him.

Maybe Ria is right, and I really am in trouble here. My career is finally taking off, and the last thing I need is to jeopardize it by falling for a client. Especially one with a reputation like Charlie's.

As our laughter fades and the restaurant begins to empty, I make a silent vow to myself. Once Charlie signs with a team, I'll ask Isaac to reassign me to different clients. It's for the best, even though the very thought of letting go of him sends a pang of longing through my chest.

"Marissa," Charlie says softly, reaching across the table to gently squeeze my hand. "Thank you for tonight. It's been incredible."

"Thank you," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

Our eyes lock, and for a brief moment, I allow myself to get lost in the depths of his gaze, knowing that soon enough, I'll have to find my way back to reality — no matter how much it hurts.