by Anna Albo
Allie stood up. “I know it sucks. But look at the bright side: the Falcons can’t sink any further.”
“That’s a bright side?”
She grabbed her coat and purse. “I know I just got here, but I can’t stay. We have a long day tomorrow. I did book us a room, so maybe you can wear that little towel tomorrow?”
“To the gala? I probably shouldn’t.”
“Funny, but we’d probably sell more tickets.”
He pulled her close. “You can’t stay?” he asked, his voice deepening.
“I want to, but I’m sure you’ll give me a proper workout tomorrow.”
“I suppose I’ll have to settle for that.”
“Besides, I’ve been neglecting Cate all week. She’s getting lonely. I said I’d help her find a place, but I’ve been so busy.”
“There’s still that place in my building.”
“Cate can’t afford it.”
“You could buy it.”
Allie stifled a laugh. “The Falcons don’t pay me enough to live here.”
Confusion marred Will’s face. “Eddie didn’t set you up with a trust fund or something?”
“Eddie doesn’t owe me anything.”
He took Allie’s hand and squeezed it. “I have an idea. It might be crazy, and don’t say no until you think it over. What if you moved in here and gave your place up to Cate?”
Allie loved the idea but doubts crept up. “Don’t you think people will see me here? Start putting us together?”
“Okay, how about this. Why don’t I buy the loft downstairs and put it in your name? Cate can live there and it puts you in the building and makes it less suspicious.”
Allie’s eyes opened wide. She couldn’t believe the amazing gesture. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t. I offered. Look, think about it. I’ll make some inquiries about it. Maybe we can go take a look at it.”
“Okay, for now I’ll agree to that only.”
She took one last look at Will, but opted not to stay. She had a long day and a lot to think about.
“DO IT,” CATE SAID AS they shared breakfast. Fortunately for Allie, Cate had learned to cook, otherwise it would have been frozen waffles and orange juice. Instead it was bacon and eggs, something Allie couldn’t easily muster if she tried.
“I hate taking money from him.”
“Trust me, he has lots. I’ve seen his contract. And it’s not necessarily money you are taking from him. He’s making a property investment. Stupidly putting it in your name, but that’s his business.”
“That’s not the point. I always feel like I owe people. I want to be able to do things on my own.”
“You bought this place all by yourself.”
“Only because I’ve been able to save money from every job I’ve ever had because of Eddie.”
“Consider yourself lucky to have an uncle who paid for school and all your expenses in university. Now stop being an idiot and let Will buy the place. And he’s right about it being a good cover. If people ask, you can say you live in the same building. No one will think you can’t afford it. Sell your place and put that money towards the loft. That way you don’t feel like you owe Will as much.”
“My place is worth a quarter of what that loft is selling for.”
“Stop putting up obstacles. Move in with the guy.”
“We haven’t dated that long.”
“I’m a firm believer that when you know it’s right, it’s freaking right!”
Allie tapped her fork against the edge of her plate while she thought. She wanted to hate the idea, but the thought of living with Will was simply too attractive. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Smart girl. Now hurry up and finish your breakfast. We have a lot of pampering to do before we go to this thing tonight.”
Allie packed her overnight bag. After their spa day, they’d have only an hour or so to get to the reception hall, dressed and ready. Cocktails began at six o’clock and Allie needed to be there at least two hours in advance. That reminded her to pack a pair of flats. She didn’t want to wear her stilettos a moment longer than she had to.
A massage, manicure, pedicure, hair updo and makeup session later, Allie was slipping into her evening gown. She hadn’t worn anything this fancy since her high school graduation. She’d settled on a long black dress with a hint of yellow trim on the bodice. The subtle pop of color gave the dress its star power and matched the team colors.
Cate walked into Allie’s room and whistled. “You look hot. Someone is going to get some later.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Will just called. The limo will be here any second.”
Allie gathered her belongings and slipped into her coat. She’d booked a room in her name that Cate would be using while she stayed in Will’s room. Allie wanted to leave nothing to chance. They stepped out into the lobby as the limo pulled up. Will got out and helped them inside.
“Ladies, you look gorgeous.”
“No need to compliment me,” Cate said. “Allie’s the one you need to woo.”
“Cate, you still look gorgeous.”
She smiled and rolled her eyes.
“Do you guys mind if I rehearse my speech on the drive over?” Will asked.
“Not at all,” Allie said.
At their last committee meeting it was decided that Will would say a few words about where some of the money would be going. He’d spent countless hours preparing his speech and he went through it one last time with Allie and Cate on the drive. Both nodded their approval. Allie could see how nervous he was. He hadn’t done much public speaking, but Allie reassured him how great it sounded.
“It’s not too long, is it?”
“Not at all.”
“Too short?”
“Just right,” she said, patting his hand.
They pulled up to the hotel entrance and climbed out of the car. Allie worried someone would see them but with Cate along, how could anyone jump to the wrong conclusions? Allie always had her exit strategies planned, constantly coming up with reasons she and Will would be together.
They checked in and Allie handed Cate her room key. “Pretend to be me,” she joked.
“I’m much funnier,” Cate replied.
“Allie, I’ll take everything up to our room and meet you in the hall,” Will said.
Allie headed into the reception area. Hotel staff scurried around putting out the flowered centerpieces, lighting candles and setting up last-minute tables and chairs. The committee decided to sell an additional hundred tickets with the hotel’s blessing. Allie found Tiffani primping prizes and repositioning them on tables. With an hour to go, Tiffani’s hair and makeup were done, but she hadn’t put on her dress yet.
“Are you the only one here?”
“Nope. You’re here, so now it makes two,” she said, unable to hide her displeasure.
“I’m sorry. I would have come earlier.”
“I’m not pissed at you. You’ve been working your ass off. Let’s just say that next year’s gala committee will look very different. And another thing. When it comes to picture time and all these broads suddenly crawl out of whatever hole they’re hiding in, only the picture of you, me and Will better make it into the paper. I’ve already spoken to who I need to.”
Allie hid a smile. “Okay, you’re the boss.”
“And when I do my short speech, I’m not mentioning them.”
“Sure.”
Tiffani glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get dressed. I’ll see you in a bit. Don’t let anyone touch the prizes.”
Allie leafed through her file folder. For the cocktail hour, the players would be paired with a volunteer and they would be selling raffle tickets. The players would schmooze and the volunteers would collect the money. That meant the players would have to arrive within the next half hour to be briefed. Other than Will, Allie hadn’t seen a single one. She could only assume they were stuck with their primping wives who were also MIA.
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sp; Cate reappeared with Will. “The place looks great,” she cooed.
“It’s all Tiffani.” Allie turned to Will. “Have you seen anyone? I’m starting to get nervous.”
“Yeah, a few guys are here. I told them to come in here, but they’re watching the football game in the lounge.”
“Your job is to coral them. We need them briefed.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a salute.
He wandered off and Cate took his spot next to Allie. “Did you know this will be the first time I’ve seen all the players outside of their uniforms? Do they all have nice asses?”
“Tonight your job is to sell raffle tickets with Will. You can ogle asses later.”
While Allie waited for the players and Cate organized the other volunteers, Allie took one last look at the program. If she found a mistake, she’d have someone’s head. She read her uncle’s statement. She wished Eddie had come, to see what a success the event was, but he was preparing for board meetings and couldn’t get away. Deep down she knew it wasn’t his thing. He could do without the glitz and glamour.
She heard bustling, and through the double doors Will led many of the Falcons. All were dressed in smart suits, looking their best. Allie smiled. The male guests would be in awe of them and the women would drool. Either way raffle tickets would be sold.
Tiffani was right behind them. She huddled the men, took off her shoes and climbed up on a chair so they could all see her. She gave them directions, told them not to goof around and expected them to sell as many tickets as possible.
“And in case you’re wondering, you won’t be paired with your wife or girlfriend. We are here to make money. Our volunteers will find you, and I’ve given each of them one of your names. Say a quick hello and go out into the lobby. There are people already waiting. See if you can sell some tickets. Go, go, go.”
Allie made sure that Will and Cate were paired. Cate’s mission was to sell all her allocated tickets. She loved competition. Allie watched Cate put her arm through Will’s and drag him to the lobby before anyone else got there.
A few minutes later, the main doors opened and people flooded in. Many had raffle tickets in hand, others looked at prizes. Allie ventured out to the lobby and watched the players hawking tickets. For once she saw some life in them. They were laughing and talking with guests while their volunteer pairings took the money. An hour in and tickets were sold out. They’d exceeded all expectations.
The evening began and Allie watched from the back. Tyler Strewchuk spoke, then Tiffani and finally Will. Dinner was served and Allie felt like she could exhale for the first time. Then the fashion show. It had been Tiffani’s idea for the players to model beachwear. Women shrieked as the men pranced around in swim trunks. Professional models they weren’t, but they engaged the crowd. Finally, the evening wound down with the draw. Excited guests claimed their prizes from beaming players.
“How much did we make?” Tiffani asked at the end of the night.
“We won’t know for a few days until the vendors are paid.”
“What do you think?” she asked, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
“I don’t know. But we sold all the raffle tickets. That’s a hundred grand right there.”
Tiffani pumped her fists. “I’m so happy!”
“You put on an amazing evening.”
“Thank you, Allie, but I couldn’t have done that without you and Will. Where is he?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe he left.”
Tiffani set her gaze on Allie, a grin forming on her lips. “It’s funny you don’t know where he is.”
“Why is that?”
“Oh, come on.”
Allie’s heartbeat quickened. “I’m not following you.”
“Okay, we can play that game. I’m not sure if anything is going on between you two, but I can see it. The glances, the way he looks at you, the way you look at him. It’s none of my business, but I noticed. I’m not sure anyone else noticed because all those slackers are oblivious.”
Allie wasn’t sure what to do. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it. She had no idea what to say.
“Don’t tell me if it’s true or not. It’s probably best I don’t know.”
Allie grimaced. “Let’s play a hypothetical game here. Let’s say something was going on, and I’m not saying that anything is, do I have your word you won’t tell anyone? That you won’t even tell people you think something is going on? And that includes your husband.”
Tiffani laughed. “There was a time I’d love to have some dirt on you, but your secret—or non-secret—is safe with me.”
“Thanks.”
“So, you like him.”
Allie maintained a blank expression. “I’m not having this conversation with you.”
“So, you do. Well, he’s a good guy. You could do a million times worse. Like pretty much every other guy on the Falcons.”
Allie wondered if Tiffani included her husband in that.
With the last guest gone, only the players and wives milled around. Many were booked in the hotel and Allie wondered how she’d get to Will’s room unseen. They’d have to go separately, especially now that Tiffani was on to them. She walked over to Will and Cate and gave them both a hug.
“A top night,” Cate said. “And did you know that Will and I sold the most tickets?”
“That wouldn’t surprise me.”
“I’m heading off to my room,” Will said. He was well aware he was in earshot of other people. “I’ll see you guys around.”
He waved to the rest of the guys and disappeared. Allie faced Cate. “You better know my room number.”
“It’s 1415. Will reminded me about a hundred times tonight.”
Allie hugged her friend again. “Thanks, Cate. For coming to St. Paul, for taking this job and for helping tonight.”
“I should be thanking you. You’re the one who dragged me down here. And so far, I love it.”
“How did I luck out with a friend like you?”
“Why don’t you ponder it on your way to room 1415?”
“Before I go, it seems that Tiffani is onto me and Will. She says she’ll keep it to herself.”
Cate shrugged. “I suppose you have to trust her. It’s not like she has proof or anything.”
“But if she knows . . .”
“It means you need to be more careful.”
Allie said her own goodbyes then made her way upstairs. She tapped on the door as to not draw too much attention. Will whipped it open and stood there, his tie long discarded and the first few buttons on his shirt undone.
“You didn’t give me time to get into my towel,” he said.
“That’s all right. You wouldn’t have it on for long,” she said, jumping into his arms.
He kicked the door shut and kissed her like he hadn’t seen her in months. “My room has a deluxe Jacuzzi bathtub, what would you say to a long soak?”
“I’d say yes a million times over.”
“I ordered some room service and it should be here any minute.”
“Why don’t I draw our bath?”
“Sounds wonderful, Ms. Stewart.”
Allie flung off her shoes and cast them to one side. She’d been waiting to do that for over an hour. “Unzip me?” she asked.
“Gladly.”
She let her dress fall to the floor then tossed it onto a chair. It had served its purpose. “You know where to find me,” she said, blowing him a kiss.
She drew the bath, dropping in some lavender-scented bubble bath provided by the hotel. She took off her lace bra and panties and set them on the cold tile floor. She tied her hair up in a messy bun then eased herself into the water. She let out a gratified sigh as she rested her head against one of the padded edges.
She heard a knock on the door followed by a voice that did not belong to hotel staff.
“Will, you got a minute? I’m freaking out.”
Allie’s ears perked up. Why hadn’t she shut
the bathroom door? Whoever it was couldn’t see her, but what if he peeked in?
“Jack, now’s not a good time.”
“You’ve got a chick here,” he said, dropping his voice, but Allie could still hear him. “I won’t be long, I promise. It’s Vikki. She was here tonight and I know she came just to drive me nuts. She’s been texting me wanting to hook up and I’m worried I’ll give in.”
Allie’s body stiffened. Jack Sinclair, Will’s roommate on the road. Then she remembered her dress, hanging casually over a chair. What if he saw and recognized it? Allie panicked but didn’t dare move.
“I can’t do this right now.”
“Will, I don’t know what to do.”
“This is what you’re going to do. You’ve been drinking, so you can’t drive home. I want you to call a cab and go straight home. Turn off your phone and get some sleep. This girl is bad news and you know it. You’ve got to let her go. You’re a young guy, handsome as hell—don’t throw your life away for a girl who’s playing games with you.”
“I know you’re right. I wish I knew what it was about her.”
“That’s something you should think about. I’ll call you a cab. In fact, why don’t you give me your phone and I’ll give it back to you tomorrow.”
“But what if there’s an emergency?”
“I’ll know where to find you.”
“Thanks, Will.”
Another knock on the door. Another Falcon? Allie wasn’t feeling so relaxed anymore. Will answered it and could hear room service delivering their wine.
“Okay, I’ll go. I’m sorry for bothering you, but you always know what to say and do. Can I talk to you later? If I think I’m going to do something stupid?”
“Yes, you always can. But you know what to do. Do you mind escorting Jack to the lobby? He’s got a cab coming to get him. There’s fifty bucks in it for you,” Will said to the hotel employee.
“Yes, no problem, sir.”
She heard the door close and Will popped his head into the bathroom. “Did you hear all that?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Sorry about that. Jack’s got a crazy ex-girlfriend and since he’s just a kid, I feel like I have to keep an eye out for him.”
“I think it’s adorable.”