“You orchestrated this whole thing. You could have told me, you know? You could have explained what you wanted. Instead, you lied to me. You used me.”
“Stop it, right now. You’re being ridiculous.”
“Oh, I’m being ridiculous? And pimping me out to one of your precious ballplayers is rational behavior? I hope that picture gets you the attention you wanted. That it —” she broke off.
Bile rose in her throat as another thought took hold.
Garrett.
Her father’s golden boy. The one her father had given advice to. Had he advised him as to why she was here?
Jessa thought back to the day they’d met. The way he’d flirted with her, teased her. Told her she smelled like strawberries. He’d come to her room and kissed her silly.
All on the day they’d met.
Who does that? What was it he’d said that morning in the limo?
“I know all about why you’re here.” Oh, God.
She was going to throw up.
*
Thirty minutes had passed since Jessa had left the restaurant and Garrett was out of patience. He’d have left fifteen minutes ago if Dan Baker, sportscaster from the local TV station, hadn’t stopped and offered to buy him a drink so they could chat about the upcoming season. One drink, Garrett had told him. He hadn’t promised not to slam it.
Yes, he was looking forward to the upcoming season. No, he wasn’t nervous about playing in the big leagues. Excited, but not nervous. Yes, he was looking forward to playing in New York. The questions were all the same. He’d never been much for the media scene, but his agent had insisted he stop hiding in his room and let people talk to him.
If he’d only known what Garrett had been doing in his room, maybe he’d back off his ass a little. Not that Garrett had any intention of sharing that information. Instead, he’d made nice with the reporter until he couldn’t take it any longer. He had to find Jessa.
“Thanks for the drink, Dan.” Garrett turned on his barstool and extended his hand, his intent to end this impromptu interview clear.
“Any time, Garrett. I appreciate your time. I know you’re a busy man.” Dan shook his hand with a smile.
“Yep, gotta run.” Garrett slid from his seat. “Next time I’m in Tampa, how about we meet up for dinner?” His agent would love it.
“I’ll look forward to it,” Dan replied, clapping Garrett on the back.
Garrett laughed, genuinely liking the guy. Under different circumstances, Garrett thought it might be fun to hang out with him.
Another time. ‘Cause right now, he was done. Was through waiting.
It took him several minutes to escape the restaurant. There seemed an endless supply of people who wanted a piece of him tonight. He hit the lobby and kept moving. Jesus, would he ever get used to that? It was part of the deal, he knew, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. He was a low-profile guy in a high-profile job. He was confident though, that he’d find his groove, a balance between what he wanted and what the world wanted from him.
That was another reason he and Jessa were so perfect together. She knew the business. Hell, she didn’t know any other way, having been raised in ballparks. She liked the quiet of their room more than the nightlife of Tampa. He was sure it wasn’t just because she thought their time was limited and wanted to make the most of it. They both preferred curling up on the couch to dancing the night away.
God, he made them sound like an old, married couple.
He rounded the corner and stopped dead when Jessa stepped from the elevator. The jean shorts she wore showed off her incredible legs. Toned and tanned, his mouth watered at the thought of licking every inch. He drank her in, content to enjoy the view. She’d exited, only to stand in place, people moving around her as she stared at the floor. Was she mumbling to herself?
Unease washed over him as he approached. Slow. Steady. Wary. “Jess?”
Her head snapped up, her eyes blazing with anger and pain.