Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Cree jotted down a few notes regarding Tristan’s endorsement offers that she wanted to discuss with him.
She planned to suggest he request more money for one of them since they wanted to shoot three commercials within two weeks in Atlanta.
Either way, she wasn’t sure he’d agree to it since he’d been adamant about not traveling much.
She sat back and rocked in her chair, wondering why he was so against traveling, especially with the money they were offering.
Of course, her first thought was that he had a woman here in Chicago who he didn’t want to be away from for long.
However, Cree nixed that idea. One thing she knew about Tristan was that he was a one-woman man.
She was sure that hadn’t changed. No way he’d touch her or flirt with her the way he had the other day if there was someone else in his life.
He wasn’t that guy, and Cree would bet her life savings on that.
“And why am I even thinking about this?” she mumbled to herself, frustrated with the way her thoughts had gone.
The worst part about that was she really wanted to know, but why?
Why did she even care? When he came in to sign the contract, she’d made it clear the two of them working together again would be strictly business.
It had to be that way. She couldn’t fall for his handsome face or the nostalgia of him being back in her life again.
But what if she…
A knock sounded on her office door, and Cree wanted to scream thank you for saving me from myself to whoever it was.
“Come in,” she called out, and the door swung open. She tried not to let her disappointment show when her visitor appeared. She would’ve preferred anyone but him. “Hey, Warren.”
“Hi, gotta a minute?” he asked, and Cree closed the file that held Tristan’s information.
In his early sixties, Warren’s pale face was showing a hint of wrinkles, but he still had a head of salt and pepper hair. Considering his workload and long days, his gray eyes were as sharp as the day he’d hired her around ten years ago.
She’d been excited to join his firm, one of the top law offices in the city.
For the most part, her experience had been good, especially since she’d been able to make partner sooner than she’d expected.
But lately she’d been antsy, and a lot of that had to do with him trying to micromanage her.
It hadn’t always been that way. Not until recently.
“Congratulations on signing, Tristan Whitmore,” he said and unbuttoned his suit jacket before sitting down.
“I didn’t realize you were scouting him.
When did that happen?” he asked the question casually, but Cree wondered if there was something more behind it.
She no longer trusted him, and she wasn’t a hundred percent sure why. Just a gut feeling.
Slow to respond, she debated on what to tell him.
“You’re acting as if I don’t usually bring in high-profile clients,” she finally said and rocked back in her chair. “I brought in several this year and have clocked more billable hours than any other partner. So, what’s really going on here?”
Warren sighed. “I’m just asking and making conversation. Why are you getting defensive?”
“Because it doesn’t feel like just conversation. It feels as if you’re fishing for something. If there’s something you want to know, just ask.”
“I want to know the relationship between you and Whitmore. There was definitely tension between the two of you when I introduced myself to him the other day. If there’s a problem, I can assist with representing him.”
Ha! She just bet he could. As a huge sports fan, he’d kill for a client like Tristan.
“That won’t be necessary. I was his agent before he signed on with Ralph Dawson. You probably showed up when I was asking why Dawson was now his former agent.”
“So, Whitmore came looking for you? Not the other way around?”
“Correct,” Cree said simply. No need sharing more information than necessary.
“Interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?”
Warren looked at her as if she should know. “No offense or anything, but I’m surprised Whitmore would leave Dawson and then ask you to represent him. Dawson is the best in his field. It’s just interesting is all.”
Cree couldn’t be mad at his word choice because she’d thought it interesting too…
at first. Now she believed Tristan truly was trying to make things right between them professionally.
Though she still thought he had a secret agenda.
Specifically, for them to get back together, but she took him at his word when he told her he wanted her to represent him because he owed her.
He didn’t owe her, but she didn’t tell him that.
Like he had mentioned, they’d been so young back then, and she’d been all in her feelings with the way he had signed with another agent.
But Cree truly did understand his reasoning.
Had she been him, she probably would’ve signed with Ralph Dawson too. The man had an incredible track record.
“Full disclosure,” she said. “Tristan was one of my clients when I first opened my sports agency years ago. I haven’t had much interaction with him since he switched agencies shortly before his second year in the league.”
Warren nodded. “And why did he leave your agency in the first place?”
Cree watched him carefully, wondering if he already knew the answer and was waiting to see if she’d be straight with him. Or if he genuinely didn’t know. She couldn’t tell, which was no surprise. Like most attorneys, he wasn’t easy to read.
“You said yourself Dawson is the best. I had only been an agent for a year or so, and Whitmore felt, with Ralph Dawson’s track record, he could get him a larger contract.” She shrugged. “And I couldn’t much blame him. Even back then, Ralph was known for getting his clients record-breaking deals.”
“So, Whitmore wasn’t loyal to you. He jumped ship at the first chance he got to sign with a bigger fish, so to speak.”
Cree schooled her features. When he phrased it like that, the memory of that time in her life reared its wicked head. So maybe it was still a bit of a sore subject for her. But she was determined to get over it and leave the past in the past.
But it was more than that. Her previous relationship with Tristan was complicated.
They’d been friends and then lovers before he had become her client, and that made their professional relationship tough.
It wasn’t always easy to separate the personal from the business, even more so after marrying him.
“Why do you think he left Dawson’s agency to sign with us?”
“According to him, he felt he owed me for getting his career started, and he wanted a chance to work with me in this new stage of his life.”
Warren nodded again. “Is that why he only signed a nine-month contract? Seems a bit odd.”
She could be honest and tell him that she had suggested the short terms. She could tell him it was a test for them both to see if they could work together. Or she could keep the reason to herself.
Warren didn’t have to know the why, and there was no reason for him to be questioning her like this unless he was fishing for information. What type of information she wasn’t sure. Maybe he sensed she was thinking about leaving and starting her own firm.
“That’s what the client wanted,” she said, stretching the truth.
If Warren followed up with Tristan, she already knew her ex would say something similar.
Then he’d tell her about the conversation.
Even if they hadn’t been in touch in years, Cree already knew Tristan was protective of her.
Always had been, which was something she had loved about him.
Despite knowing she could take care of herself, he’d always been willing and ready to come to her defense.
The other day, he had sensed the tension between her and Warren and had questioned her about him. If he had picked up on it in the few minutes he had spent with the guy, then Warren’s behavior lately wasn’t just her imagination.
“He has some impressive endorsement offers that will make this firm an obscene amount of money.” She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, when in fact it was a huge deal.
The money she and the firm would make off those deals was incredible.
“I would think the bottom line would be what’s most important to you right now. So why all the questions?”
Before Warren could respond, someone knocked on the door. Cree really didn’t care about whatever he was going to say, and this interruption couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Come in,” she called out and stood just as Shantel entered with a large paper bag.
She lifted it up by the handles, a twinkle in her eyes as she said, “Your lunch just arrived.”
Cree hadn’t ordered lunch. Yet this was just the distraction she needed.
“Oh good. Right on time,” she said, wondering if there was really something in the bag. It didn’t matter. She was going to make sure Shantel got a big, fat bonus this year.
The woman was a godsend and always came through for Cree when she least expected.
It was easy to forget Shantel didn’t work just for her.
She worked for all the partners. She was so efficient in everything she did and always predicted what Cree needed or wanted before being asked.
She’d been with the firm for almost eight years, and right now, she was Cree’s favorite person.
“Warren, I assume we’re done here,” Cree said when he didn’t move.
“Yes, I guess we are.” He eventually stood and moved around Shantel toward the door. “Keep me posted regarding Whitmore.”
Cree folded her arms across her chest and frowned. “Why? I don’t usually have to report to you regarding my clients. Why now?”
“Because he’s now one of our most high-profile clients, and I want to make sure he’s treated right. When other athletes realize he’s acquired our services, they might follow. So don’t mess this up.”
Anger boiled inside of Cree. Normally, their private conversations stayed behind closed doors where their support staff couldn’t hear, but since he started it…
“First of all, I’m a partner here too, and I know how to take care of my clients, high-profile or not.
Which is why they come to me. They know how good I am at my job,” she snapped.
If his flinching at her tone was any indication, her words came out harsher than she intended.
“I don’t know what this is all about, Warren—you coming in here questioning me—but understand, I’ve been at this a long time, and I know what I’m doing.
Enjoy the rest of your day,” she said dismissively and turned her attention to Shantel.
Warren stormed out without another word, and Cree took several deep breaths to gather herself. She was going to have to watch her back with that guy.
“Thanks for the save,” Cree said quietly to Shantel. “Sorry you had to hear all that.”
“No problem, and just so you know, anything I heard stays right here.”
“I appreciate that, and…” Before Cree could continue, the scent of bacon, garlic and other delicious spices met her nose as Shantel handed her the bag. “Wait, you really did order me lunch?”
What surprised Cree more when she peeked into the bag was the meal had come from her favorite Puerto Rican restaurant. There were two jibarito sandwiches inside. These weren’t just any sandwiches. These were jibarito plantain burgers.
“Oh my goodness, I could kiss you right now!” Cree practically squealed. She hadn’t had one in months, maybe even a year.
Fried green plantains were used instead of bread, and the sandwich contained a couple of beef patties, glazed bacon, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and a garlicky mayo that was to die for.
“Umm, I didn’t order the lunch,” Shantel said, a huge grin on her face as she pulled a note from behind her back.
“But I was given strict instructions to make sure you got it, and my favorite part is you have to share it with me.” She laughed and handed Cree the card.
“So one of those sandwiches is mine, and by your reaction, I can’t wait to eat it. ”
Cree skimmed the card and almost whimpered at the words in Tristan’s handwriting.
If I know you, you probably skip more lunches than you eat. Here’s a little something for you and Shantel because, if she has to put up with you every day, I’m sure she deserves a free meal.
Cree couldn’t help but laugh. “That man,” she murmured.
Shantel glanced at the open door, then back at Cree before whispering, “I knew there was history between you two. Care to share?”
Cree shook her head while still smiling. “It’s complicated.”
“Ahh, understood. Well, I’ll just take my sandwich and go, but if you talk to Mr. Complicated, please tell him I said thanks and to feel free to send us lunch anytime.”
Cree laughed again. “Will do.”
She closed the door behind Shantel and didn’t waste any time digging into her meal.
Not only was she hungry, but the jibarito was as good as she remembered.
She thought about calling Tristan to thank him, but he was scheduled to come by the office in a couple of hours to go over his offers. She’d thank him then.
God, she missed his thoughtfulness. Heck, if she was honest with herself, Cree missed everything about the man.
Which meant she was going to have to work extra hard to keep their meetings professional.
Her self-control when it came to him was no match for his determination when he wanted something.
And he had made it clear, in so many words, that he wanted her.
But she could be just as stubborn because there was no way they could go back to what they once shared. Especially with her representing him. Even if deep down inside she wanted to get reacquainted with his alluring body.
“I can’t. I won’t, and I’ll just keep telling myself that,” she mumbled and took another bite of her sandwich and groaned. “Oh, this is so good.”
Still, she couldn’t let this kind gesture make her lose herself to Tristan again. He might be good at getting what he wanted, but she was strong enough to resist him.