Page 98 of Big Stick Energy
“But for how long, though? It would besomessy if we were actuallydatingand then…” She takes a breath. “… and then we suddenlyweren’t. Your contract is, what? Seven million dollars a year? And I’m the admin. If things got uncomfortable, guess which one of us is leaving? Hint—it’s not you.”
Well,shit. I hate that she has a point. Her job is a complication. Still, it’s not impossible. “What about…” My phone suddenly rings. I hate my phone. I glance at the dashboard display. “Area code 206?”
“That’s Washington state,” Darcy says automatically.
“Oh. I gave out my number to some rookies…”
Before I can even finish the thought, Darcy taps the dashboard,accepting the call through the car’s system. So I guess she’s pulling the ripcord on our conversation.
“This is Eric Tremaine,” I say with a sigh.
“Eric!” The voice is distinctly female, warm and musical. “I don’t know if you remember me. My name is Sienna Skye.”
Darcy inhales sharply in the passenger seat. But the name means nothing to me, so I give her a look of confusion.
“We met at a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital last summer in Seattle. The hem of my dress jammed in the lock of that porta potty, and you forced it open with your pocketknife! I’ll never forget it.”
“Oh,Sienna!” I laugh uncomfortably. That had been a bizarre encounter. “How could I forget? I hope you’ve had better luck with, um, small spaces this year.”
“I’ve avoided locking myself in any more toilet stalls, thanks,” she says with a laugh. “That was a fun night, though, and I’ve been thinking of you as Prince Hockey ever since. We never got to have that drink we talked about getting the next time you came to Seattle.”
I feel Darcy’s eyes boring into me, and suddenly, this phone call feels like the worst possible timing. “Uh, right?” I don’t even remember giving her my phone number.
“And I’m in New York for a few days, so I thought I’d give you a call.”
“Oh, man, are you?” I ask, my voice going high. “That’s a shame because I’m headed to Colorado for strength training.”
“Aw,” she says in a playful voice. “My timing sucks, is what you’re saying?” She laughs at her own joke. “I guess the women of Colorado win this round.”
“Um…” I chuckle again, desperate for an exit ramp fromthis conversation. “I hope you have a fantastic trip to New York, though. Maybe we’ll catch up another time.”
We sign off, and I hit theend callbutton on the console with a little more force than necessary.
“Did youseriouslynot know who that was?” Darcy yelps. She turns her phone in my direction, showing me a picture of a stunning woman with platinum blond hair. She’s accepting what looks like a Grammy award.
“Huh. I mean… I remember rescuing her from a toilet at the Polo Club in Seattle.”
“Polo Club,” Darcy repeats slowly. As if the words don’t quite fit correctly into her mouth. “Eric, did you bang a Grammy-winning recording artist after an A-list party?”
“No,” I say quickly. “I did not.”
“But you thought about it,” she presses.
“Maybe? That was a year ago.” I’m not trying to sound dodgy, it’s just that the encounter didn’t make a huge impression.
Darcy goes quiet in the passenger seat. Then, “Why did you tell her you were going out of town? You don’t leave until Friday.”
Isn’t that obvious? “Because I’m sitting here withyou! The person I’m still hoping to see before Friday.”
More silence from Darcy. “I still don’t think that’s a good idea. Maybe you should call her back.”
Chapter 36
Appreciate the Chivalry
Darcy
Okay, I regret adding that last part. I don’t actuallywantEric to bang a woman who’s charting on Spotify. If he and Sienna Skye turn into the next Travis and Taylor, I’ll die.
