6
VALENTINA
Lucy: Um hellooo? I’m looking for my friend, Val. Have you seen her? Tall and beautiful with a body to kill for?
Me: Stop it, you weirdo. I’ve been busy. I have a new client and he’s driving me mad.
Lucy: Well, if you would text me back maybe I would know about your new client? Who is it?
Me: Luce. You know I can’t tell you that.
Lucy: Yet you always do. Come on, Val. You know I’m a good secret keeper. I’ve never told anyone about that time you talked to a mannequin for half an hour before realizing it.
Me: Not fair. I was drunk.
Lucy: And still, no one knows. Don’t be stingy. Share the love, baby.
Me: Fiiine. I’m working with Nico Loving, the new player for the Drillers.
Lucy: Shut UP!! Omgod. Val! He’s so hot. Please tell me you’ve slept with him.
Me: No! He’s my client. That’s unethical. Plus, that’s the exact thing I’m trying to cure him of.
Lucy: Cure him of what? Making women happy all over the world with his gorgeous body and athletic prowess? Leave that man alone. He’s perfect. Also, can you give him my number?
Me: No. Bye!....I’ll call you tomorrow.
Lucy: Kisses.
H is hand is large and warm, and the calluses scratch against my smooth palm. It’s not a touch I thought I’d find tempting, but visions of him, sweating and snatching balls out of the air, send a tingle straight to my nipples. And that is not a feeling I welcome.
Guests stare at the two of us as we step off the elevator, and hushed conversations mix into one loud secret.
The feeling I had while on the red carpet downstairs reappears.
That was enough to send me into a full panic attack.
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m thankful Nico was there to help me through it.
I pride myself on helping movie stars and athletes, CEO’s and politicians.
Individuals used to being in the spotlight.
But I am not the type to want the spotlight on me.
I’ll accept all the praise and accolades my clients want to give me.
So long as they do it without the assistance of flashing lights and newspaper articles.
“Do you know any of these people?” Nico leans over and whispers into my ear.
I shiver with chills from the way his breath licks over my already sensitive skin.
My eyes search the faces that crowd the space when I spot a friendly and familiar couple.
“Yes. To your left. Woman in red heels and man in the expensive Italian suit,” I point out.
“How do you know if it's an expensive or Italian suit?”
I nudge him in the direction of the gorgeous couple and he leads. “Because that is Luca Amato. Italian billionaire turned owner of the Houston Wranglers. It’s a no brainer.”
We slide between bodies, smiling and passing polite hello’s. Luca and his wife Cecilia see me, and both send a wide smile our way.
“Valentina. Ciao bella.” Luca Amato lifts his hands, welcoming me into their small circle, and quickly hugs me.
He kisses both cheeks and I do the same. “Ciao Signore Amato. Signora Amato. Come stai?”
I release Luca and am immediately pulled into the same greeting with Cecilia.
“Bene,” he replies. “Very well.”
“Ciao Valentina. Sei bellissima.” Cecilia’s words have me blushing and I thank her.
“Grazie. You look stunning, Cecilia.”
“You speak Italian?” My eyes quickly jut to my left where I have forgotten Nico who stands there watching our interaction.
“Luca. Cecilia,” I address them. “This is Nico Loving. The newest addition to the Drillers.”
Luca holds out his hand and Nico grasps it with a firm grip. “Nico. You are quite the buzz around town. I can’t wait to see what you can do on the field.”
“Yes sir. I hope to live up to my college days. Things are a little different now. No more college freshmen chasing after you. Now I have to worry about out running two hundred and fifty pound linebackers looking to crush me.” He smiles and eases with the talk of what he knows best.
Football.
Luca laughs and Nico turns to Cecilia to address her. “Good evening, Mrs. Amato. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure. As my husband said, you are all that people can seem to talk about.” She gives him a pointed look and it’s a clear indication that, while her husband was talking about his athleticism on the field, she is talking about the one off.
Nico swallows down his shame and drops his hand. I see the way he rubs his palm against his leg, wiping away the sweat already pooling with embarrassment.
Luca looks beyond us and smiles. “Nico, come with me. I see my good friend and I know he would love to meet you.”
We turn our heads to see a large man walking towards us with a tiny redhead hooked onto his arm. I immediately recognize them as Phoenix and Vivian West. The MLB star pitcher and the sassy journalist who tamed his wild ways.
Maybe I should take a lesson from her on how to keep Nico’s pants zipped up tight.
“Holy shit,” Nico whispers then clears his throat. “My apologies. I’m just a little starstruck right now.”
“Yeah. Nix definitely has that effect on people.” Cecilia smiles but rolls her eyes and shakes her head in the same breath.
The couple step into our small circle and I must admit that I myself am a bit taken by the husband and wife duo. They are the IT couple in Houston, and a direct line to many people who may need me one day. Whether in crisis or simply to represent them in other aspects of their career.
“Ah. One of my favorite ladies. How are you tonight, Vivian?” Luca’s warm welcome tells me that they have more than just player and owner relationship.
He kisses her cheeks and she rises up on her red heeled feet. She’s a small thing, probably standing only a bit over five feet, while Luca is a very tall man.
“Your flattery will get you everywhere, Luca.” Vivian smiles then immediately hugs Cecilia. “Girl. I have so much to tell you.”
“Can we hold off on the stories that will scare our new friends away until later? I don’t want to show our crazy cards just yet.” Cecilia tilts her head in our direction with a smile
“Oh. I’m sorry. How rude of me. I’m Vivian Kelley-West.” This woman is gorgeous and I think I have a little girl crush.
“Hi. Valentina San Ramón. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kelley-West.”
“Valentina San Ramón? Oh I’ve heard about you. All good, of course. You’re the miracle worker for the misbehaved.”
I can feel my cheeks heat with slight embarrassment, but also pride that I’m making a name for myself.
“Didn’t you help Ayla Banks with her little…mishap last year?” Phoenix jumps into our conversation without any introduction.
The woman he refers to is a prosecutor who had a run-in with another woman. And by run-in I mean she ran over her husband’s mistress with a golf cart after catching the two of them together.
It was a bit tougher to handle as many people supported her reaction (even me), but I was able to help Ayla avoid jail time by getting her into an anger management program.
When she was finished, she decided she wanted to live a quiet life away from the pressures of her job, and moved away to a small West Texas town.
She did so alone as she dropped her cheating husband in a flash.
“Yes. That was me.” A small smile pops up, but I quickly move the conversation from me to a man I’m trying to do the same for. “Mr. and Mrs. West. This is Nico Loving. He’s the new Tight End for the Drillers.”
All eyes focus on him, and Vivian gives him an appreciative up and down, arching her brow and smirking. Phoenix pinches her side and she growls at him.
“Leave the poor kid alone, Viv.” He scolds his wife, smiling the entire time, and she sticks her tongue out at him. “Real mature, Peaches.”
I roll my lip between my teeth, wanting so badly to burst with laughter. Most men would burn with rage and jealousy over their wives admiring another man, but it seems like this may be her M.O. and he knows it’s harmless.
“Hey man. Phoenix. Nice to meet you.”
“Ni-nice to meet you, sir. Wow.” Nico shakes his hand like a young boy meeting his role model.
“Phoenix. Please. Sir is not necessary,” he corrects.
“I’m the only one who can call him sir.” Cecilia’s hand muffles Vivian’s words.
“Please excuse her. I would say something is wrong with her, but I’m afraid she’s perfectly sane. Simply filter-less.”
Vivian smacks her hand away and stands as tall as her little frame will let her.
“Nico, let me introduce you to some very important people. Phoenix. Care to join us?” Luca reaches out and places his arm on his shoulder, steering him in the opposite direction.
Phoenix agrees and the men walk off, and I stand uncomfortably between the two women, wondering if I should take my leave or follow the men.
“So. Valentina.” Vivian takes my arm and pulls me towards the bar, answering my internal question of should I stay or should I go. “How did you land that hot, young man? Good job, by the way.”
“Oh no. We’re not dating. I’m just his date for the event. That’s all.” We step up to the bar where the bartender stops dead in his tracks, mouth open like he’s waiting for the dentist to check for cavities.
I don’t blame the guy. Walking with the two gorgeous women as every head turns their way is definitely jaw dropping.
“He was not looking at you like he was just your escort. His eyes said let’s find a dark hallway and –”
“Vivian! Jesus. Not everyone is a crazed pervert like you and Phoenix. You don’t need to announce your sexcapades to the entire world. Spare this poor bartender the details.” Cecilia gives Vivian a look and shushes her before ordering a Blanton neat, and a glass of red wine.
“What? I’m just telling it like it is. He wants you.” Vivian moves past us and gives the bartender her order.
I don’t hear what she says because my mind is still replaying her words on loop. He wants me? I’m sure it’s not for anymore than a quick roll in the hay like most of his conquests. And I refuse to be just a notch on his bedpost. He’s my client and I’m here to do my job and only my job.