Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series

by Ainsley St Claire

  Nate nods. “I understand.”

  We talk for a short while longer, and I get up to leave.

  “Mr. Remington, one last thing…” Detective Lenning calls.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you encountered any overly aggressive women recently?”

  I think back to the two phone numbers I got walking SoBe today, the prospective intern in the tunnel outside the locker room yesterday, and Mindy. I shrug. “Nothing unusual.”

  He nods. “You’ll let me know if something seems to spike?”

  “Of course. Do I need to arrange for some sort of security for Jeremy?”

  “Can you stay close to him?” Nate asks.

  “I suppose. He stays at my place every now and again, but mostly because he sees me more as a father or brother figure, not his agent.”

  “Would you be upset if another agent swooped in and signed him?”

  I nod. “Of course. My portfolio is diverse—I have three professional surfers—but my focus is eight baseball players, and three of them are here playing for the Prospectors.”

  “Are you from the Bay Area?” Detective Lenning asks.

  “No. I moved up from LA to be closer to Jeremy—that was the deal I made with his parents when I signed him.”

  “Will you move back to Los Angeles in the off-season?” the detective asks.

  I shake my head. “No. Jeremy will go home to Nebraska, and as long as I’m close to an airport, I’m fine. San Francisco is beginning to grow on me.”

  Nate puts his hand on my shoulder. “Good to hear. I’d like to introduce you to someone who can help with security when it becomes warranted. Can you join me for dinner tonight?”

  “Sure. Can I meet you somewhere? I need to run home and let my dog out and then I’m free.”

  Nate smiles. “Wonderful. Let’s meet at Birdsong. I can get us a reservation for, say, seven?”

  Birdsong has a Michelin star and a six-month reservation wait. I hope my shock isn’t evident on my face. I nod. “See you then.”

  When I get back to street level, I’m pleased to see that enough of the game crowd has dispersed that I can actually get a rideshare home to let SoBe out and be back to the Mission neighborhood in time to meet Nate. I try not to think about my dinner tonight. Sitting down with an owner can change the trajectory of a player’s career, and not always for the good. I’ve heard positive things about Nate Lancaster, but one misstep could have my three players on three different teams.

  After walking SoBe, I race out the door and head over to Birdsong. I’ve never been before, so I am excited about that aspect of this evening. When I walk in, a beautiful blonde is waiting at the table.

  “Hi. I’m Axel Remington.” I extend my hand, and she smiles broadly.

  “Hello. I’m Lilly Duval. Nate and Jim should be here shortly. They tend to get caught up in things and run behind constantly.”

  I feel like I know a secret. I sit down, and we make idle chit chat, mostly about today’s game.

  I can’t help but notice the large ring on Lilly’s left hand, and I remember something about Nate getting engaged when we were negotiating adding Jeremy, Crispin, and Jake to the Prospectors’ roster.

  “You could have brought a date,” she says after a moment.

  I chuckle. “I’d have to have someone to bring, which I don’t.”

  “You’re single in this city?” Her brows rise.

  I look at the napkin in my lap. “I was seeing someone down in LA, but she decided she didn’t want to move here, so it’s just me and SoBe.”

  “SoBe?”

  “He’s my rescue greyhound. He’s a seven-year-old puppy who spends more time on his bed in my office than running.”

  “Are you from Southern California?”

  “I grew up in Orange County, in Laguna Beach.”

  “Oh, I love Laguna Beach. I’ve been there for the Festival of the Arts several times. I can’t believe they can make those masterpieces with real people.”

  The Festival of the Arts happens each summer, and they recreate works of art with live models. It’s really incredible. The final piece is usually something like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

  I nod. “I was in the festival as a young boy, and it was painful. I spent three hours in makeup and then stood still in a painting for ten minutes.”

  She giggles, and for the first time in a while, I realize there might be something missing in my life.

  Nate and Jim arrive, and Nate gives her a kiss on the cheek as he sits. “Sorry we’re late.”

  “No problem,” I say.

  “Axel is from Laguna Beach,” Lilly tells him. “We were talking about the Festival of the Arts. We should make plans to take the girls down.”

  “If you do, let me know,” I say. “My mother is on their board, and I can probably swing some nice VIP tickets for you.”

  “We’d definitely be interested,” Lilly says.

  Nate clears his throat and points to his friend. “This is Jim Adelson. He’s the owner of Clear Security.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say.

  “I’ve told him about Jeremy’s situation, and he has some ideas for you.”

  The server uses that minute to show up asking for drink orders. Nate and Jim both order a high-end bourbon, and I do the same. Lilly opts for a glass of merlot.

  Jim leans in. “Before the waiter comes back, can you tell me about where Jeremy lives?”

  “He has an apartment in a two-level building in Cow Hollow. It’s a quadplex—four apartments in the building—but the real estate agent called them flats.”

  Lilly puts her glass down. “They do that here. Makes San Francisco sound more European.” She rolls her eyes.

  I really like her.

  Jim looks at Nate. “I think we need to put in a good security system—monitored with video cameras in public areas.”

  I nod. “That would work.” The server arrives with our drinks. “He also frequently spends the night in my guest room,” I add.

  Jim looks at me with his brow furrowed.

  “He sees me like a big brother, and he’s often a little lonely here in San Francisco,” I clarify, so no one thinks we’re lovers. “He’s only seventeen. He has his GED, but he was picked up by a farm team when he was fourteen, so he didn’t have a traditional school experience, and most of his teammates are older. He hangs out with Crispin Meyer and Jake Garcia—both of them are eighteen. And they live close to him. So, no alcohol and lots of Fortnite at my house.”

  “Should we set up a system at your place?” Jim asks.

  I shrug. “I tend to be there most of the day, but we certainly can.” I’m not opposed to a decent security system.

  We pause to order, and then over dinner Jim takes us through what they’ll need to do to set up a system. For now, we decide Jeremy doesn’t need any personal security, and I’m glad.

  The evening has been pleasant, but it’s running much later than I wanted. I really like Nate and Lilly. You’d never guess that Nate is one of the five richest men in the world. And after he explains that he and Jim were in the Marine Corps together, I can’t help but like Jim, too.

  When the bill comes, I reach for it. Nate’s eyes grow large.

  I shrug. “Jeremy is my client, and he’s the reason we’re meeting tonight. Please let me buy dinner.”

  Lilly laughs.

  I slip my card in the billfold and hand it to the server.

  “You didn’t need to do that,” Nate says. “I invited you.”

  The billfold returns, and my card’s been processed. It’s twelve-hundred dollars for the four of us, plus I need to tip. “I don’t mind at all.” And I really don’t. I may not be a billionaire, but I do just fine.

  Outside, I wave as their driver pulls up in a large Range Rover and my rideshare pulls up in a Prius behind them.

  On the way home, I consider calling the woman I got a phone number from earlier today. She was beautiful, with dark hair and sapphire blu
e eyes. I wouldn’t mind her looking up at me while she swallowed my cock.

  I’m about ready to text her, but when we pull up, there’s a light on in my apartment. A moment later I see Jeremy in the window, so I don’t worry as I head into my place. Blue eyes will have to wait.

  Chapter 3

  Mia

  I’ve been working almost nonstop on this app since I got home from the board meeting three weeks ago, which has made acclimating to my life without an active role at Diamond Analytics easier than I expected. I started with an algorithm I created for Diamond and made some changes to create the Flirt algorithm, which will match people, rather than just data. I’ve not been this excited about anything in a while, and I’m grateful for the distraction.

  I’ve just finished a late lunch, and the app is ready to be tested, but it’s going to take more than just me to try it out. I’ve been considering how to do this, and I think I need to gather my friends at the Tiger Den and walk them through my plan. They’ll tell me if they think it’s a viable option or just something to occupy my time.

  Me: I have a new app I’ve been working on and need some help. Can we meet for a drink tonight at the Tiger Den 6ish?

  Claire: I’ll be there.

  Elena: Count me in.

  Toni: Yes, please.

  Ryder: Sounds good to me.

  Caroline: Can’t wait.

  Me: Feel free to bring friends. I’m going to run my new adventure by all of you.

  Caroline: Any hints?

  Me: Nope. Mason is welcome, too.

  Before I forget, I text Peter that I’ll need him tonight to drop me off, and I work on getting ready for the meeting. A couple hours later, I’ve got everything set up to walk my friends through what I’ve put together. It’s not super pretty, but it should work. I may or may not bring out the formal presentation, anyway. I’ll start by explaining a little and use my friends to gauge interest and see where it takes me.

  Once the presentation is ready, I move on to getting myself ready, as the sweats I’ve been lounging in are not going to cut it at the bar. I shower and am putting the finishing touches on my outfit when Peter lets me know he’s arrived.

  I slide into the car, and we’re off. It’s hard to park in the Tiger Den’s neighborhood, and I suggest to Peter that he just let me out. But with everything going on with Viviana’s case, even as I speak, I know he isn’t going to let me out of his sight until he drops me back off tonight at my door.

  As predicted, he just gives me a look in the rearview mirror and keeps driving until he finds a spot for the car. Then he walks with me all the way inside. Only then does he fade into the woodwork, though I know he’s still nearby.

  Looking around the bar, I don’t see anyone I know yet, so I order a glass of champagne just to celebrate the end of the day. I wouldn’t mind a few stiff drinks, but if I’m going to do this presentation justice, I need to be on my toes.

  Jim Adelson arrives a few minutes later, and I’m a little taken aback. “What are you doing here?”

  He smiles and raises his hands. “My presence is purely social. Mason thought I should come. Is that okay?”

  My shoulders relax. It’s an inside joke among my friends that when Jim shows up, your detail is changing. I like Peter and would hate to lose him. “Sure, I’m just surprised to see you since you’re not single.”

  He laughs. “No, I’m not.”

  His wife, Kate, is pregnant with twins and due at the end of the year. He looks over my shoulder to wave at someone coming in, and before I know it, the bar is full of my friends. This could be more than I’d bargained for.

  Claire arrives and burrows through the throng of people over to me. “Wow, this is quite a turnout.”

  “I know,” I say, looking around. “I was expecting maybe ten people max. Not sixty.”

  “Tommy is afraid the fire marshal is going to show up,” Ryder announces.

  Tommy Williams owns this bar. He did well enough with his options that he could leave the company and pursue his real dream of owning a bar.

  “Really?” I shake my head. “I didn’t invite all these people.” I look around and see the guys I play poker with, my Stiletto Sisters, and members of a few business groups I belong to.

  “What did you want to tell all of us?” Ryder asks.

  I lean in close. “I developed a dating app.”

  “No way! Sign me up,” she says. “Let’s get you a microphone, and you can tell us all about it.”

  After moving some things around, I find myself on a riser usually reserved for a small band.

  I take a deep breath and survey the sea of faces. “I can’t believe you’re all here. Thanks for adding me to your evening agenda.” I manage a smile. “I know it’s common knowledge that my board of directors has asked me to step down for a few months while I deal with a personal issue. And, because my mother didn’t raise me to sit at home quietly—” The crowd chuckles. “—I’ve spent the last few days developing a new app.”

  I look out at eager faces. “Many of you here won’t be interested, but for those of you who are single, I developed a new dating app I’m calling Flirt.”

  My friends clap and celebrate, which makes me feel like a million bucks.

  “It’s a bit different than Tumble, eTogether, or even Distinguished,” I continue. “But as I see it, it shares all the good features of those apps. I’m looking for a group of about a two hundred single people, open to dating, to get the app for free so I can run it through trials before I launch it nationwide.”

  “How are you building profiles with your algorithm?” Claire’s brother, Landon, asks from the side of the room. Landon and Claire work together with Landon’s fiancée, Tinsley. He is brilliant—and so is she.

  I smile. “Very carefully.”

  The crowd laughs.

  “Why just two hundred people locally to start?” Mason Sullivan asks. He’s a venture capitalist at SHN and was my financier when I developed Diamond Analytics.

  “I have to finish my business plan, but I plan on launching in several cities after I know it works, and then I’ll branch nationwide before going internationally. This first round of people is just to vet the app. I’m expecting it to work, but I’d rather be sure than find out it’s a dud when it goes to millions of users.”

  “My team would be happy to help you,” he offers.

  My stomach does a little flip. That would mean he’s considering investing, and while I could front the business by myself, having Mason’s firm finance it would be a huge boost. Using SHN would give me access to their internal resources, which include back-office and development support.

  “Let’s talk,” I tell him.

  “Are you planning on leaving Diamond Analytics permanently?” Nate asks.

  “No way. Diamond is my baby. Like many of us here, I’m dealing with the fallout from Viviana. This is a fun distraction, and if Flirt becomes big enough, I’m sure I’ll find someone to run it or sell to.”

  I answer a few more questions from my friends. Then I look out over everyone in the group. “I really am thrilled to see so many of you here tonight. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’ll be sending each of you information on the test group here in San Francisco.” I can tell people are already talking about who they can invite. “I do need it to be on the down-low and not have a million users here locally before it’s perfected,” I warn, though I’m not sure they’re listening.

  It’s after one in the morning by the time Peter drops me back at home. I agreed to meet with Mason tomorrow morning at his offices, and several things that people mentioned tonight need to be incorporated into my code. I hadn’t thought to include them since I’m not a dating app user. This will likely be a short night.

  Back at home, as I consider where to add the code and what it should look like, I make a very strong pot of coffee. While it brews, I enjoy an espresso. After changing into a pair of yoga pants and a University of Texas sweatshirt, I push up my sleeves
and get to work. My fingers fly across the keyboard. I know SHN will want to see my code and possibly a prototype.

  I make progress for several hours, pumping caffeine into my system, and when I start to struggle around five thirty, I do fifty squats to get my heart rate up so I can push through. I’ll sleep this afternoon.

  Once it’s officially morning, Peter returns to pick me up with enough time to get across town to SHN’s offices by ten.

  When I arrive, Mason has everything all set up in the conference room. Before I know it, the firm’s six main partners—covering finance, software development, legal, public relations, operations, and account management—have joined me.

  Everyone is so excited, and it’s almost like reliving last night. I turn my computer on and pass it to Cameron Newhouse. He’s the development guru. If he suggests you scrap it and start over, you do as he says, because he’s always right.

  While Cameron goes through my code, Mason smiles at me. “Last night was a huge success, and you didn’t even expect it.”

  I shrug. “I really didn’t. I just figured it would be a few friends, and I’d share my idea.”

  “I think that speaks to your reputation in the industry.”

  Dillon Healy, the CFO of SHN, tosses his pen on his iPad and looks at me. “Walk us through what you’re thinking regarding rolling this out.”

  I share what I said last night about starting with a smaller control group, no more than two hundred people.

  “You may be able to go larger,” Cameron says without looking up from my code. “You need at least a thousand for a good sampling.”

  My stomach lurches a little. “Maybe, but I think just the feedback will be important for the launch, and it will get unruly if it grows too big. There’s only so much I can take on by myself.”

  “Well, then let’s think about how you’re going to manage the increase in staffing needs,” suggests Emerson Healy, my good friend and the operations partner at SHN.