CaddyGirls

by V. K. Sykes

  “But you obviously are.”

  “Sure,” he said with a hint of a sigh. “I want to stay in Philly, and I’m damn sure Dembinski and everybody else on the team knows it, too.”

  “Because?”

  He closed his eyes for a moment as he blew out a long breath. “Because I love the guys. I love the city and the fans, too, but in the end I’m playing for my guys. We’re a brotherhood. We’ve come close every year since I signed, and I want to still be a Patriot when they win the World Series. Kate, I want that as much as I want to wake up tomorrow morning.”

  That little speech—obviously heartfelt—was almost exactly what Kate had expected him to say. Nick Rome had a reputation as both a total team player and a natural leader. A player who would do whatever it took for his team to win.

  “Bad enough to take a substantial hometown discount on your salary?” she probed. Some athletes would take less than what they were worth on the market to stick with their current teams. Not that many did, though.

  His eyes snapped open, then narrowed on her. “Define substantial.”

  Kate shrugged. It was too early for that.

  “Sure, I’ll take a discount,” Nick said after it was clear that she wasn’t going to respond. “But management has to show me respect, too. They have to make the kind of commitment to me that I’m willing to give them. That means a four-year deal and a big-time salary bump. They’ve had a discount since the day I got here, and they know it. It’s time for them to make things right with me.”

  “It’s about respect,” Kate said softly.

  “Damn right. You get me.”

  She zeroed in on what she hoped would be the clincher. “Then that’s exactly what my agenda will be, Nick, if you hire me. My only agenda.” She paused a moment to let that sink in. “Because you deserve nothing less.”

  Nick put down his drink. “Did you bring a contract in that briefcase?”

  Kate practically slid off the sofa in surprise. “Uh, no, I wasn’t quite that presumptuous.” My God, is he hiring me on the spot?

  “I was kidding about the contract, but if you want the job, you’re hired.” He sat back. “We can work out the details later, but there’s one more thing we should get straight right now if I’m going to sign with you.”

  His sudden frown sent a tiny shiver of apprehension racing along her spine. “Yes?”

  “I have to be there every time you and Dembinski negotiate,” Nick said. “Arnie kept trying to get me away from the table, saying I was just making negotiations harder. But that was never going to happen.” His stare grew intense. “So, that part’s non-negotiable, Kate. If you’ve got a problem with it, you’d better say so now.”

  Though Kate wasn’t happy with the prospect of a client looking over her shoulder every moment, she wasn’t about to scupper this incredible opportunity because of it. Not when she could all but taste the seven figures that would eventually come her agency’s way once Nick signed a fat new contract.

  “Not at all,” she said, trying to wipe any trace of surprise from her expression. “It’s somewhat unusual for me, and for the business in general, as I’m sure you know. A lot of agents feel it hampers having truly frank discussions at key points. But it’s your call, Nick. Whatever way you want to play it is fine with me.”

  “Yeah, well, any discussions, frank or not, are going to happen in front of me,” Nick said. His voice contained more edge now.

  “I understand perfectly, and it’s not a problem.” Yeah, he was definitely the dominating type. Maybe even a bit of a control freak.

  His expression softened. “Arnie thought I didn’t trust him, and maybe he was right. We just weren’t on the same page, not lately, anyway. You and me, though…I like to think I can read people as well as I can read pitches. I think you and me are going to be a good fit, Kate.”

  “I think so, too,” Kate said with what she hoped was a warm but professional smile. Too bad his heated gaze had her thoughts jumping to ideas that had little to do with contract negotiations. She suspected Nick’s mind might have gone to exactly the same place. That worried her for a moment, but she firmly brushed it aside. This client could change her life—and her son’s—and Kate had no intention of letting him slip through her fingers. “We’ll always be on the same page, Nick. You can trust me on that.”

  Nick smiled and raised his glass. “Then here’s to a new and productive relationship, Ms. Berlin.”

  Kate clinked her glass against his. “Absolutely, Mr. Rome. And I can’t wait to get down to work.”

  This had been the easy part. It had been laughably so, which boggled her mind. The hard part—managing a sexy, strong-willed man used to having his own way—was just beginning.

  For more book excerpts, please visit www.vksykes.com