He knew Liz was grinning. “I’m just that good, Mick. Tara Lincoln, owner of The Right Touch. The business is located in Concord. Grab a pen and I’ll give you her phone number and address. This is her business address and office phone number. If you want her personal info, it might take me all of an hour.”
“You scare me, Liz.” He grabbed a pen and the pad of paper on the kitchen counter. “The business information is good enough. I don’t need you digging up her ancestry.”
“I might if you’re thinking of dating this woman. I’d need to know more about her.”
“Not even my mother knows as much about the women I date as you do.”
“Your mother isn’t as invested in your career as I am. One misstep and you’re fucked.”
“And all that money you make off me goes down the tubes.”
“I’m crushed, Mick. You know how much I adore you.”
Mick shook his head and smiled. Where would he be without Elizabeth Darnell in his life? A hot redhead who looked more like one of those fashion models he dated, no one looking at her would think she was a sports agent with the killer instinct of a hungry shark. She was the main reason he and his brother were multimillionaires. “Yeah, yeah. I’m touched by your sincerity. Just give me what you’ve got.”
After he hung up with Liz, he changed and took a run in the park first, needing to clear his head and draw some oxygen into his lungs. It was mid-June and warm in the East Bay, especially since he’d gotten a late start. He was usually up at dawn and running early. Now it was afternoon, and the sun beat down on him as he rounded the turn on the jogging trail, ignoring the sweat that streamed down his back, concentrating only on his breathing and his time.
Thirty years old was getting up there in years for an NFL athlete. But he was far from being done with this sport he loved. He was in great shape physically, and he intended to stay that way. He was nowhere near ready to retire yet.
After five miles he took it down to a walk and headed back to his condo. An hour later he’d showered and was in his car again, this time heading into Concord to the address of Tara’s business. It was Saturday, so chances were she might not even be there. They might not be open. Then again, he could get a feel for her place, if nothing else.
Yeah, and you have no idea what the fuck you’re doing. You could have just called, moron.
He didn’t chase after women, ever. It wasn’t ego talking, it was just that Liz threw women at him all the time. And the ones Liz didn’t toss his way came to him on their own. He usually had to fend them off, so he’d never had to go after any. This was new territory for him.
He found the center where her business was located, parked, and went to the big window where THE RIGHT TOUCH was etched in white scrolled letters. There were lights on and a few people inside. He didn’t see Tara right away, so he stepped through the door.
Definitely a woman’s kind of place. Lots of fabric and paper thingies spread on tables and tacked to the walls. Some looked like invitations. And there were champagne glasses and giant books loaded with ... stuff.
“May I help you?”
He turned and smiled down at a petite redhead with tortoise-shell glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. “I’m looking for Tara.”
The redhead’s eyes widened and she took a step back, obviously recognizing him. “Oh. Sure. She’s in the back. I’ll get her for you.”
The redhead walked away, and Mick decided to wander around Tara’s place, though with all the breakable gizmos in here and as big as he was, the “bull in a china shop” saying definitely applied. Maybe he should just stay put.
“Mick.”
He turned and smiled at Tara. “Hey.”
She wore a skinny black skirt that went to her knees and a yellow sleeveless blouse that looked feminine and silky, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. But she wasn’t smiling and didn’t look happy to see him.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“My agent found you. You left without waking me this morning.”
Tara looked around the shop, and it was then that Mick saw three women staring at them and whispering to each other. He heard his name mentioned.
He loved female football fans. He dazzled them with a big smile. “Hi, ladies.”
Tara dragged him by the arm. “Come into my office.”
He followed her, winking at the three women who gaped at him as he walked by.
Tara’s office was a tiny little room in the back of her shop. He felt like a giant standing in this small space.
Her desk was clean and tidy, with a laptop in the center and neat piles on each end.
She shut the door and went around to the desk, clearly using the furniture as a defense. “Why are you here?”
He arched a brow. “Isn’t it obvious? I wanted to see you again.”
“Oh.” Her lips lifted for a second, then she frowned. “That’s not a good idea.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Why isn’t it a good idea?”
“Um, you and me ... well, let’s just say I’m very busy with my career.”
“So the sex was bad?”