Joey reached over and touched my hand, and I froze. Mr. Happy picked that moment to come awake. If I got up right now, everyone would see what she did to me. Why did I have this desire for Joey? I had a feeling that she would be trouble, the kind I wasn’t really ready to tackle. I made a move to swallow my pride and run.
“Stop. Just stay,” Joey finally said.
I grinned and slid back into the booth. Kim appeared with her order pad.
“David Dawson, long time no see. Who’s your cute friend? Is she Brook Davis’s replacement?” she asked.
I rolled my eyes at her, which gave her a satisfied grin. She was busting my chops.
“This is Joey Marshall. Joey, this is a friend of mine, Kim Sun,” I said by way of introduction.
“Joey, this one is trouble,” Kim said.
“Who, me?” I asked innocently.
Joey shot Kim an exasperated look that said she agreed but considered me harmless. I hated to tell her, but I was anything but harmless. Kim took our order. Actually, she took Joey’s order and simply assumed I was having the fried chicken. For a moment, I wondered if anything else on the menu might be better. No way could that be true, so I let it go.
It had been ages since I’d been on a first date. I was counting this as a date because there was food and conversation that didn’t center on Joey torturing me.
She had a degree in kinesiology, the study of human movement, from State. Her minor was dietetics, with an emphasis on sports and wellness nutrition. She’d interned with Coach Fletcher, and her job at Lincoln High was her first.
Joey had been in a long-term relationship with a tennis player at State. He’d gone pro after college and decided he didn’t want to keep it going long-distance. From the way she described it, I would bet she expected it was leading to more. I could tell she wasn’t over him.
After hearing her story, I knew that she was in the same spot in her life as Scarlet and Ashley. Joey wasn’t looking for a no-strings romp; she wanted the happily ever after. In a lot of ways, that made her even more attractive to me.
The problem was that in just a couple of months, I would be leaving to film my movies. While I wasn’t opposed to having a little fun, or even a lot of fun, with Joey, I wasn’t going to push it. That didn’t mean I wasn’t interested in being her friend. I found I liked her.
“You should come over for dinner some night. I bet you could use a home-cooked meal.”
“I don’t think that would be a very good idea.”
“Why not? Coach Hope has been to my house several times for dinner. How would this be any different?” I asked and waggled my eyebrows. “Unless you have inappropriate plans for me.”
“That’s not it,” she blurted.
“If you ever do, just let me know,” I teased.
“It’s probably best that we keep this professional,” she said firmly.
“No, I disagree,” I said, and saw her eyes flash again. “I think we can be more than professional. I think we can be friends.”
Joey blinked a couple of times as her brain caught up, and then she smiled.
“I’d like that,” she finally admitted.
“Great. We’ll talk next week and find a night you can come over,” I said and grabbed the check.
“I’ve got my dinner,” she protested at me buying hers.
“Leave the tip,” I suggested. “I enjoyed this.”
“It was unexpected. I think I’ll like you being my friend.”
“I’ll explain what that entails later,” I said, giving her a wicked grin.
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Thanks for dinner,” Joey said.
While I went to the cash register, she left. Paul was suddenly at my side and handed me his check. I was willing to pay since he gave me my space to talk to Joey. That, and I’d sort of already said I would.
◊◊◊
When I got home, we loaded the car and drove to Indianapolis. The plan was to meet first thing in the morning with my team and then tackle the NCAA.
◊◊◊ Friday January 27
“Mr. Morris, Ms. Addison, glad you could make it,” Dad said.
We’d booked a conference room at the hotel to use before we met with the NCAA later this morning. Mr. Morris, at first, wasn’t able to get us a meeting. I’d mentioned my talk with Coach Haber from Michigan, which led to Mr. Morris calling him and getting in contact with Jim Phelps, their athletic director. It just so happened that he was also a member of the NCAA Governance Committee. Through him, we finally got our meeting with Mark Ellison, the NCAA president.
“I see Ms. Dixon sent you with Mr. Morris. Did she worry about the FBI getting involved today?” I asked Maddie Addison.
“She wanted me in the room to prevent any trouble with them,” Ms. Addison explained.
“We don’t have much time. Do you mind if we get down to business?” Mr. Morris asked.
I smiled because you never saw a lawyer in a hurry. They billed by the hour.
“Please,” I said to turn the floor over to him.
“I just want to go over everything so we’re on the same page.”
“I agree. Please keep in mind that this is my life we’re talking about. If I say something in there, don’t take it the wrong way or try to talk over me,” I said.
