Saving Maverick Read Free

I’m ready any—”
    â€œNo, I mean to attend the party with me?” he said.
    â€œParty? Um, I think you’re confusing me with one of your many girlfriends. I wasn’t aware this was a date,” Kelsey teased.
    â€œI’m sure I told you on the phone that my schedule was tight and we’d be attending the reception the city council set up. It’s a fund-raiser for a local charity, the Children’s Club.”
    Kelsey looked down at her business suit and sighed. “If you had told me, would I be wearing a button-down jacket and matching skirt? Dang it, T.S., I don’t have time to change into cocktail attire.”
    â€œHey, you look great to me. Besides, you always outshine the other women in any room.”
    â€œFlattery will get you nowhere, buster.” Damn. Why hadn’t she thought to pack more than business clothes? Men rarely gave a woman’s need for appropriate attire a thought when it came to attending parties.
I wonder if I have time to . . .
    â€œLook, I’m sorry, Kels. With everything going on and the stadium’s construction, the relocation of the team, and now this viral video . . .”
    â€œRight, the infamous Bad Boy of Baseball himself has gotten into yet another tight spot. I’ve checked out the video. He definitely isn’t doing you or the team any favors. Maybe you should just cut your losses, let him out of his contract? I mean from the little bit of research I did on him during the plane ride, he’s injured and lost his edge.”
    â€œYou know how I hate to disagree with you, Kelsey, but I will anyway. Maverick Jansen may currently be a thorn in my ass, but he has talent, lots of it. He’s coming off a rough end to the season and the death of his kid brother. I’m willing to ride this out, for now, but I need your super PR powers to help him. And me. What do you say?”
    T.S. flashed her what she was sure was the cheesiest smile in existence.
Should she
. . .
    Through the open door, his secretary cleared her throat. Twice. Kelsey sighed. Saved by the secretary.
    â€œYes, Lois?” T.S. turned toward his stylish, fifty-something employee.
    Hmm, I wonder if she has anything I could borrow?
But her hopes were dashed when Lois answered her boss.
    â€œMr. Scott, Henry is waiting for you down in the garage. He has the car ready to go.”
    â€œThanks, Lois. Please let him know we’ll be down shortly.”
    â€œHow late are we?” Kelsey asked.
    Lois answered for T.S., “Thirty minutes. The reception began at five thirty. They’ve been expecting you for fifteen. I’ve had a phone call every five minutes asking for your status.” She sent them both a stern look over her glasses.
    Kelsey had to turn her head away. She concealed her laugh with a pretend cough.
Good for Lois
. T.S. needed someone to keep him in line.
    T.S. thanked Lois again, but before he could finish sweet-talking Kelsey into taking on his star pitcher, she cut him off.
    â€œListen, I appreciate you giving me this opportunity, but as I said on the phone I’m slammed with high-maintenance clients and I’m breaking in a new partner. If it was anyone else, T.S., I would have hung up the phone. So, I’ll hear you out and weigh the pros and cons and then turn you down. Probably.”
    She had no room in her schedule for a self-absorbed athlete who refused to help himself.
    â€œ Kelsey, you’re killing me here. I need you on this ASAP. Send Lois your invoice for the flight and I’ll cover it for you. Oh, and your Social Security number. She’ll set you up on the payroll tonight.”
    â€œI haven’t said I’d take the job.”
    â€œBut, you will.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” she countered.
    â€œKelsey, name your price. I need you on this. Despite our friendship, you’re the best public relations consultant I know—”
    â€œI’m the only one you know.”