So what the hell was she supposed to do?
For tonight, she ate dinner and tried to enjoy herself, which was damned hard to do, considering her gaze kept drifting to Elizabeth, who seemed to be having a major talk with team owner Irvin Stokes. And in the middle of that conversation, Liz kept pointing to her, then whispering to Mr. Stokes.
Great. Just great. Tara could only imagine what lies Elizabeth was making up about her. Was she putting words in Mr. Stokes’s ear about what a bad influence Tara was on Mick? Would she tell the team owner that getting Tara out of Mick’s life would be the best thing he could do for the future of the team?
Panic set in when Elizabeth hooked her arm in Mr. Stokes’s and both of them headed their way.
“Damn,” Tara whispered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Liz is bringing Irvin Stokes over here.”
“Why is that a problem?” Mick shoved the remnants of his cheeseburger in his mouth, then wiped his hands with his napkin and grinned. “Hey, Irvin.”
Irvin Stokes was a billionaire who’d made his money in the financial markets. He was a shrewd businessman, and even though he was creeping up close to eighty years old, he still looked fit, with a head filled with silvery hair and a suit that probably cost more than Tara made in a year.
“Excellent start to the season, Mick.”
Stokes stuck out his hand, and Mick shook it. “Thanks. The team looks strong. You managed to bring in some solid players to the defense.”
Stokes nodded. “Our free agent signings seemed to shore up our only weaknesses, so I expect great things this year.” He turned to Tara. “And this is your new lady? Elizabeth has been telling me about you.”
She didn’t even want to know what Liz had been saying. Tara shook his hand. “Tara Lincoln.”
“Oh, yes. You did our party a couple months ago. Very nice. I was pleased with how it turned out.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stokes.”
Elizabeth leaned against Stokes like he was gold. “I was telling Irvin that you were an event planner. The wives and girlfriends of the players always put on a charity fund-raiser before the kickoff to the regular season, and I was thinking since this is right up your alley, you’d want to spearhead it this year.”
“Oh.” Tara turned to Irvin. “Of course. I’d be delighted.”
Stokes took her hand between both of his. “Excellent. It’s good exposure for the team and for a good cause. This year it’s for the summer camps for underprivileged children in the area.”
“I’ll be happy to help out.”
“Your work would be gratis, of course.”
“I have no problem with that. I’m always willing to do charity work.”
“I’m happy to hear that. Still, it’s promotion for your company. I’ll have our people get in touch with you. The event will be held the Saturday before the last home preseason game.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stokes.” She nodded at Elizabeth, who winked at her and walked away with Irvin.
“That was ... interesting.”
“Why?” Mick asked.
“Because Elizabeth doesn’t like me. Why would she do that?”
Mick put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Babe, I long ago gave up trying to figure out what the hell motivates Liz to do anything. Don’t even try.”
She shrugged and leaned against him. “You’re right. It’s pointless.”
But still, something nagged at her. Tara didn’t think Liz had suggested her because she liked her or thought Tara was a great event planner. Maybe Liz had done it for Mick because she’d finally figured out that Tara could be of benefit to Mick’s career.
Though she doubted it, since Liz had made it clear that getting Tara out of Mick’s life would be the best thing for Mick’s career.
But it was done now, and Tara was going to be in charge of planning this event. Now she just had to do a kick-ass job and impress the hell out of Irvin Stokes again.
Mick followed Tara home afterward. Nathan had made plans to spend the night at Bobby’s house, so Tara dropped them off first. Mick was already in her driveway when she got there.
“Tired?” she asked when she opened the door. He shut and locked the door, then pulled her into his arms.
“Not at all. A game always revs me up.”
She slid into his embrace. “Is that right? So what do you do when you don’t have a willing female in your arms to help you out with all that excess energy?”
He picked her up in his arms and carried her upstairs. “Jack off.”
The visual of it made her tingle all over. “I’d like to see that.”
“Would you.” He set her on her feet at the side of her bed.
“Are you serious?”