Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series by Ainsley Claire (easy readers .txt) 📗

I don’t get involved. I learned with my first company to hire people who know what they’re doing so I can sit back and reap the rewards.”

“I think that’s a great attitude.”

Lilly goes around and starts talking to Mia through the car window.

“Would you guys like to join us?” Mia asks.

“I think we’re going to walk the waterfront,” Nate says. “I went to the Naval Academy, and one of my college buddies has his name on a Marine Corps fighter jet parked on an aircraft carrier down there. We’re going to check it out.”

“That sounds fun. Enjoy,” Mia says.

As Jeremy climbs into the car, I introduce him to Mia.

“So, you voluntarily hang out with this guy?” Jeremy teases.

“I know. He’s such an eyesore, isn’t he?” Mia chuckles.

“You know that’s why I like hanging out with him.” Jeremy smirks. “All the women shun him, and it helps me seem better looking.”

She laughs. “Somehow I doubt the girls see you as an ugly duckling.”

He blushes, and she grins.

When we arrive at the zoo, Jeremy pulls on a Nebraska Cornhusker’s hat and a pair of sunglasses, and we make an easy walk toward the entrance. It’s crowded, but Clear Security is close in case there are any issues.

“I’m not dressing for tonight’s game,” Jeremy announces.

“Why not?” Mia asks.

“George Jordan asked me to meet with team sponsors in the VIP box tonight. Mendez wasn’t happy, but the GM is his boss. We always do what the boss says, right?” He punches Axel in the arm.

Mia pulls out her phone. “I bought tickets already so we wouldn’t have to worry about lines.” She shows the attendant her screen, and the three of us walk through with five bodyguards in tow.

“What do you want to see first?” Mia asks Jeremy.

“The gorillas?” he says.

“Oh, they breed gorillas here. They have an incredible habitat. It’s in the back. Are you ready to do some serious walking?”

He nods, and we’re off.

Mia and Jeremy walk and talk, and I’m so impressed with the way she’s able to get him to open up. He tells her about his parents’ farm and how he’s supporting them and misses them and his younger brothers and sisters. He talks about the struggles of being so much younger than the other players. And he talks about living alone for the first time.

“That would be really hard.” She reaches out and touches his arm. “Who do you hang out with?”

“Other than Axel, I hang a lot with Crispin Meyer and Jake Garcia, but they’ve both met girls, so they’re less interested in hanging with me.”

“Really? When did that happen?” I ask. That’s news to me.

“Crispin met a girl, and she had a friend for Jake and me, but I’m not interested. They just want to drink and have sex, and I don’t do those things right now.”

“That’s okay. You have plenty of time to hang out with girls,” Mia says.

I guess it’s time for a reminder talk with Crispin and Jake about underage drinking and the media—and to reinforce wrapping it up. “What did I tell you about the girls you meet?” I ask Jeremy.

He turns a bright shade of crimson. “Wrap it up.”

“That’s so smart,” Mia agrees. “I have some friends who seem to attract women looking for a free ride, and they’d agree. Plus, you can never believe a girl you’ve just met if she tells you she’s on the pill and not to wear a condom.”

We work our way through the park. We don’t see even half the animals—the place is huge—but we still have a great time. Afterwards, we sit at a high-end restaurant in the zoo’s main building and enjoy lunch.

“What was your favorite exhibit?” Mia asks me.

“Definitely the big cats. They’re beautiful, and their habitat is so big. What about you?”

“I liked the koala bears. They look so soft and cuddly, but they’re still wild animals.”

As we walk out of the park, we stop at the gift shop. Jeremy buys some postcards and things to send his brothers and sisters, and I buy Mia a stuffed koala bear.

“Something to remember this trip by.”

She gives me a quick kiss. “Thank you. I love it.”

“Get a room,” Jeremy teases.

Once we’re back at the hotel, we take our time changing for the game. The three of us arrive halfway through the second inning to avoid the crowds, and we head up to the visitors’ VIP box, which I notice immediately isn’t as crowded today.

Jonas is pitching, and he’s struggling. Mendez ends up pulling him after the third inning. I don’t see Thomas, but I can imagine he’s disappointed.

Crispin makes a spectacular play during the fourth inning, throwing out a runner from left field. And Jake is playing third base. At one point a slider tries to knock him off the bag feet first, and his spiked metal cleats draw blood. But the runner is still out.

“Damn, you’ve got some good players,” Nate says, coming up next to me.

“Thanks. I’m talking to a few others that might be of interest. I’ll let you know.”

After the game, the team heads to their busses, which will take them back to the airport. We circle back to the hotel to pick up our things, and then ride to the private terminal with Nate. Surprisingly, there’s no sign of Thomas and Candy on the flight home.

I look over at Mia as we descend, and I think I have a permanent smile. This was a great trip.

As we drive back into San Francisco, Mia reaches for my hand. “Thank you again for inviting me this weekend. I had a spectacular time.”

“I did, too. I need to see my dog, but do you have any interest in hanging out tomorrow night? I know it’s