Playing to Win

said.
    “As opposed to you, stud muffin, who likely got laid before you got your driver’s license.”
    Cole grinned. “It was Melissa Petry. And I was fifteen, as a matter of fact.”
    Cara sighed and gave Savannah a look that spoke volumes. “The things you learn about your kids after the fact. Always so enlightening.”
    “And so many things you don’t want to know,” Jack said, giving pointed looks to both Cole and Alicia.
    “Oh, come on, Dad,” Alicia said. “We’re both adults now. It’s not like there need to be any secrets.”
    “Yes, there do,” Jack said. “Especially with my only daughter. As far as I’m concerned, you’re always going to be my baby. Innocent and untouched.”
    Alicia rolled her eyes. “Such a double standard. You’ll probably pat Cole on the back.”
    “No comment,” Jack said, reaching for the crossword puzzle.
    Savannah adored this family. They squabbled, said too much sometimes, but the love was evident. Cara was clearly so proud of both of her children. It was obvious they had been raised in a stable, loving, but firm environment. And Jack, though quiet, clearly loved his kids. Both parents had worked hard to give their children the tools they needed to succeed.
    And despite Cole’s recent turmoil with his image, he didn’t appear spoiled or entitled. She didn’t quite know where his issues had come from, but apparently not from his upbringing, which seemed warm and generous.
    She was envious of his family life. It was as different as night and day from hers.
    After visiting for a while longer, she stood. “Thank you for inviting me for dinner, Cara. I had a lovely time.”
    “Do you need to leave so soon?”
    “I’m afraid so. I have some work to catch up on.”
    She said her good-byes to Cara, Jack, and Alicia.
    “I’ll walk you out,” Cole said, surprising her since he’d been so distant with her throughout the evening.
    “All right.”
    When she got to the driver’s side door of her car, Cole slid his hand in hers. Shocked, she turned to face him, but he’d only grabbed her keys out of her hand.
    “You were nice to my family. Thanks.”
    “Did you think I’d come here to interrogate them?”
    He raked his fingers through his hair. “Honestly? I didn’t know what your intentions were in coming here.”
    She laid her hand on his arm. “Just to have dinner. To get to know you better.”
    “Why?”
    “To help me help you.”
    “You put that much effort into your clients?”
    If she were honest with herself she’d say no. Not as much as she was putting into Cole. She didn’t know why she was pushing so hard with him. Maybe because he was so resistant? Maybe because he didn’t believe in her.
    There couldn’t be another reason, could there?
    “Yes. You’re going to have to start trusting me, Cole. Have some faith in me. I really am here to help, not hurt, your career.”
    He walked down to the end of her car. She followed. He leaned against the trunk and folded his arms. “I’m not easy to deal with.”
    “Is that right? I hadn’t noticed.”
    He gave her a hint of a smile that caused her pulse to kick. Really, this would be a lot easier if she didn’t find him so incredibly attractive. She’d worked with good-looking athletes before who’d never gotten her motor running. So what was it about Cole that got to her?
    “I like you, Savannah. I think you’re beautiful and smart and you seem to be able to put up with me. Not a lot of people can stick it out.”
    Uh-oh. “I like you, too, Cole. But remember, I’m being paid to stick it out.”
    “There’ve been other people paid to stick it out who haven’t.”
    She offered a smile. “I don’t give up easily. Maybe you will.”
    “Is that a challenge?”
    “It might be. We haven’t even started the real work yet. Maybe you should reserve judgment.”
    “Why? Thinking of putting me through some grueling image makeover paces?”
    “Something like that.”
    “I think I can handle it.”
    “I don’t think you like being told what to do, and that’s exactly what my job entails.”
    “So you’re already setting me up for failure before I even start?”
    “I didn’t say that. Maybe this is the problem you have with the media, Cole. You’re contentious and see things that aren’t there.”
    He pushed off the trunk and bridged the gap between them. “I never see things that aren’t there. I’m pretty smart for a dumb football player. I think you like to challenge