“I started right after you were drafted into the NBA. How do you know that I was the one who organized those events?” she asked, her forehead creased.
Keylan turned toward her, pointing at the awards she’d received from both the mayor of Houston and several city council members. “It says so right here.”
“Oh...yeah, well, I’m usually working the events, which means I’m too busy to enjoy them.” Mia shook her mouse to wake up her computer so she could check her emails. “If you can direct your attention to the whiteboard, we can see what we can do to get you the hours you need.”
Keylan folded his six-foot-five-inch frame and took a seat in one of the oval, white leather chairs in front of her desk. “Why weren’t you at last year’s toy drive event?”
“How do you know I wasn’t?”
“Because I was there and I would have remembered you.” He smiled, showing off a perfect set of white teeth. “Plus, my mother and aunt personally thanked everyone there for all their hard work. So...why weren’t you there?”
“I only have to organize the toy drive. I’m not required to work it. Plus, I had other plans. Besides, I’m not a big fan of all the pomp and circumstance the holiday brings.”
Keylan sat forward. “What? You don’t like all the decorations, the lights, the parties, all those presents? Or is it a religious thing for you?”
“I take it you do.”
“Of course.”
“No, it’s not a religious thing,” she replied, shaking her head. “I think celebrating Christmas is fine—it’s just not my favorite time of year,” she explained.
“There’s got to be a story there,” he concluded.
“There isn’t, and my assistant, Sandra, prefers to work that particular event.”
“You call me, boss lady?” Sandra asked as she entered the room wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt with the words Kingsley Foundation printed in large red letters across it. She came to a quick stop after catching sight of Keylan.
“No. But since you’re here...Sandra White, this is—”
“KJ. I know who he is,” she replied, flipping her sandy-blond hair off her shoulder. Sandra looked at Mia as though she had insulted her intelligence.
“Pleased to meet you,” Keylan said, standing and offering his hand.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Sandra accepted his hand, giving it a slow shake while smiling and batting her green eyes.
Mia’s phone rang as she stood, watching Sandra’s embarrassing display of amorous behavior.
“No worries, I’ll get the phone.” Mia rolled her eyes as she picked up the receiver. “Mia Ramirez.”
Sandra slowly withdrew her hand and smiled. “Can I get you anything, KJ? Coffee, tea, soda, my number?”
Keylan smiled. “Thanks, I’m fine.”
“Yes, you are,” Sandra offered, her smile widening.
“Sandra, Dr. Bissell’s assistant is on line one. Can you please take down the names of his guests for this weekend’s charity bowling tournament?”
“Sure. Nice meeting you, KJ,” she said, backing out of the office.
“Where were we?” Mia asked, not really expecting an answer.
“You were about to tell me why you don’t like Christmas.”
Mia frowned. “I never said I didn’t like Christmas, and we were about to review the schedule to see how we can accommodate your needs.”
A slow, sexy smile crawled across Keylan’s face and Mia quickly regretted the last words in her statement.
“I have a few ideas.”
“I bet you do,” she murmured.
Keylan pointed to the whiteboard. “I was referring to those two events.”
Mia prayed her face wasn’t as red as her nail polish. “Yes, of course. How many hours do you need?”
“Eighty.”
Mia reached for the tablet that sat on the edge of her desk but Keylan beat her to it. When his hand touched hers, their eyes collided and a shock of desire hit Mia like a runaway train. She slowly withdrew her hand and accepted the tablet. “Th-thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Mia cleared her throat. “So, you want to work the toy drive and the charity bowling tournament. If you work the whole time, for both of these events, you will earn sixteen hours.” She ran her fingers across the keys, making note of his request. “That leaves sixty-four hours that you’ll still need to earn.”
“I realize that, which is why I’d like to earn the rest of those hours working here.”
“Here.” Mia waved her hand in the air.
“Yes, here. It is my family’s foundation, remember. I’m thinking—” Keylan rubbed his hands together “—twenty hours a week.”
“Twenty...a week...here? Doing what exactly?” Other than making me crazy.
Keylan turned in his chair and looked at the whiteboard. “I was thinking I’d help out with the kids’ round-up.” He turned back to Mia and smiled.
“The kids’ round-up? Do you have any idea what that is...what’s required?”
Keylan sighed. “Believe it or not, I used to spend a lot of time here. Unless things have changed, this is helping with just about every activity you can think of with the kids. Helping with homework, story time for the little ones, sports—you name it.”
“No, nothing’s changed, that’s it. And how do you plan to make such a commitment with your busy professional and personal schedule?” No, you didn’t just say that out loud, Mia.
Keylan’s left eyebrow quirked and he smirked. “Why don’t you let me worry about my schedule?”
“Fine. When would you like to get started?”
“Well, according to the schedule, you have a group of kids about to have a basketball game in twenty minutes.”
“Those are the kids in our after-school Latch Key program. Coach Wanda and her kids would love having a NBA star in their midst.”
“Great.” Keylan raised his right hand and used his thumb to point behind him. “I’ll just go get changed.”
Mia checked her watch. “Will you be able to get back in time? It’s important to stay on schedule with these kids.”
Keylan frowned. “Where am I going?”
“You’ll want to go change.”
“The last time I checked, the locker rooms were on the other side of the gym,” he said, smiling. “I keep a change of clothes in my car.”
Mia smirked. “I bet you do.”
Keylan scratched his chin with his left thumb. “You’re determined to think the worst of me, aren’t you?” He shook his head. “Between my rehab and ever-changing practice schedule, I have to stay prepared.”
“Oh...” Nice going, Mia.
Keylan stood. “Should I go change?”
“Please.” Mia rose from her chair. “I know Coach Wanda will appreciate the help and I’m sure you’ll do a great job.”
“I’m not sure you really believe that but I guess we’ll see,” he said, heading out of the office.
Yes, we will.
Copyright © 2017 by Martha Kennerson
ISBN-13: 9781488013904
A Love Like This
Copyright © 2017 by Eboni Manning
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