So you can join me and Shaunice at The Tavern for trivia night.”
“Kyra, you know you’re my girl and everything, but that sounds kind of corny.”
“Don’t knock it until you try it. Last month we won the grand prize.”
“What, a year’s supply of corn chips?”
“No, thirty-five hundred dollars.”
Aimee’s voice perked up. “What time did you say it started?”
Giving in to her laughter, she raised her head just in time to see Terrence yank off his pinny. Walter paused to speak to Coach Mayo before falling in step with the former NFL running back. The men strode off the field, wearing identical smiles.
A minute later, Kyra slapped her cell phone shut and slipped it into her purse. “The kids sure looked happy to see you,” she said when Terrence pulled up beside her.
“As they should be. Flash is the real deal!” The excess skin around Walter’s chin jiggled and his shoulders shook with merriment. “You should have seen the wide-eyed expression on their faces when Terrence asked if he could play. They looked like they were going to pass out!”
Terrence pointed his chin towards the field. “They’re a good bunch. If they study the play book and listen to the coaching staff, they might have a chance this year.”
“With you at the helm, they’ll have more than just a chance. But we can discuss your vision for the team over lunch.” Walter clapped him on the shoulder. “There’s a great restaurant up the street that has the biggest steak burgers you’ve ever seen.”
“Don’t say no more. I can eat any time of the day!”
“All right,” Kyra began, putting on her Prada designer sunglasses, “you guys go have lunch and I’ll catch up with you both this afternoon.”
Mr. Morrow frowned. “Nonsense, you’re coming with us. We’ll talk football, and then you can show Terrence around our fine city.”
“But Terrence went to school here,” she pointed out. “He knows the area better than I do. He doesn’t need me to show him around.”
“Oh, but I do,” he insisted, his eyes wide and innocent. He’d perfected the deer-in-headlights look, and unfortunately for Kyra, her boss was eating it up. “I want to check out the aquarium and the Atlanta Sports Museum.”
Walter nodded. “Great, it’s settled. Kyra will show you around after lunch.”
“It sounds wonderful.” Kyra forced the words out through clamped lips. “We should hurry, so we don’t get caught in the lunch rush.”
Terrence gave her an affectionate touch on the arm. “Ladies first.”
Hating the pompous smirk on his lips, she hurled a dirty look at him. Why was he doing this? Is he trying to get a rise out of me? Summoning a smile for her boss’s benefit, she licked the dryness from her lips. Terrence’s eyes were filled with laughter, and though she took a step forward, he didn’t remove his hand.
* * *
Brampton’s Bar, a high-end restaurant located downtown, served breakfast until closing and its extensive wine list and eclectic menu brought patrons in from neighboring counties. Prompt seating, efficient servers and a peaceful ambience made the establishment the talk of the town.
“We should order a bottle of wine,” Mr. Morrow announced, stopping a passing waiter. “Terrence, I know you haven’t accepted the coaching position yet, but I feel like celebrating! This could be the start of another Hollington dynasty!”
Terrence winked at Kyra.
A Southern girl from a family of big, strapping men, Kyra had always been taken by strong, silent types with impeccable manners. He greeted the manager as if they were old friends, chatted up the hostess as she led them out to the patio and entertained Walter with stories about his most harrowing days in the NFL.
A cell phone beeped, and Kyra reached into her purse.
“Sorry, it’s mine.” Putting down his fork, Terrence cleaned his mouth with his napkin and pushed away from the table. “Normally, I wouldn’t answer, but I’ve been waiting to hear back from my agent all day. Do either of you mind if I take this call?”
Mr. Morrow flicked a hand as if to dismiss his apology. “Go on, Terrence. I’ll see you at practice on Monday.” He gestured towards Kyra. “You’re in good hands. Kyra will take great care of you.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Confident to the point of appearing cocky, he winked at her and rose to his feet. They were sequestered behind soaring hedges of fiscus trees that shielded them from prying eyes, but as Terrence strode off through the patio, Kyra noticed that everyone, from the businesswomen downing wine to the teenager with the fashion sense of T-Pain, turned and stared admiringly at the former NFL running back.
Mr. Morrow ingested a mouthful of chicken. “Think we could convince Terrence to invite some of his celebrity friends to the Winter Wonderland Ball?”
Kyra thought about it for a moment, then said, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I don’t have to tell you how important it is that we get Terrence here at Hollington,” he began, stroking his jaw reflectively. “We have a brand new stadium and have practically given tickets away, but the stands are still empty.”
“That’ll change once Terrence becomes head coach. Soon, every seat in the stadium will be filled. Mark my words, Walter. You’ll see.”
“I love your enthusiasm.” His head remained bent, but he was watching her intently. “You’re in the last year of your contract, right?”
Kyra nodded. She tried to look interested in what her boss was saying, but how could she focus when Terrence was staring right at her? His smile lacked its usual warmth. At ten feet away, he was too far to be heard, but the troubled expression on his face told her the conversation was not going well.
“You’ve given your heart and soul to this school and you’re one of the best PR directors Hollington’s ever had.” He was smiling, but the expression on his face was solemn. “I’m going to level with you, Kyra. What happens this season is going to have an enormous effect on your future. If Terrence signs on as head coach, I’ll see to it that you get a raise and a long-term contract.”
As if I don’t have enough pressure, she thought, annoyed.
“I have to run. I’m chairing this afternoon’s board meeting and I don’t want to be late.” Ending the conversation, he stood and slipped his beige suit jacket over his shoulders. “Take good care of our star coach. See to it that Terrence has everything he needs. Spoil him. Roll out the red carpet. Be extra nice.”
She slaked her thirst by sipping her ice water. “I’ll try my best.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Walter took another swig from his wineglass, and then was gone. But before Kyra could enjoy a quiet moment with her thoughts, Terrence was back.
“That was fast,” she said.
