by A. L. Brooks
Adrienne groaned again. “No, God no. You’re absolutely right.” She exhaled slowly. “This is why I needed to talk to you, so that you could talk some sense into me.”
“You’re welcome. And, hey, look, there’s no need to be silly about this. You are working with her, and getting to know her in order to make the best film you can would still be a wise move. So don’t clam up completely, okay? Just remember those boundaries.”
“I will.”
Morgan had a spring in her step and almost laughed out loud at herself. It was the day before the tournament got underway, and this morning’s practice had been fantastic. When it all worked like that, she felt on top of the world. All she’d ever wanted to do from the time she could lift a proper club was play the best she could and win as much as she could. Not to the point of becoming obsessed, but because she knew she had it in her, and she wanted to see how far her talent could take her. And because, just once, she’d like to hear her father say, “Well done, Morgan,” and know he meant it. It hadn’t happened yet, and it was another reason she was mad at herself for blowing the last three majors she’d had a chance to win. Surely winning one of those would elicit that response at last.
Refusing to let that last thought sour her mood, she strode through the hotel lobby. She’d just pushed the button to call the elevator when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Adrienne’s name was on the caller display, and Morgan’s stomach fluttered.
“Hi, Adrienne.”
“Morgan.” Adrienne cleared her throat. “How was the rest of your day?”
“Good, thanks. Really good. Harry pushed me hard, but it was worth it.”
“Great! So, um, I was wondering. Do you have any plans for dinner this evening? I’d like to go over the ideas I have for the PGA, and I don’t think there’ll be time on Monday before we all travel to Virginia.”
Morgan’s stomach completed a full roll. Dinner with Adrienne, even a working dinner, was equal parts exciting and terrifying. What if I get all tongue-tied in front of her and make a fool of myself? Her reaction to Adrienne mystified her. Morgan hadn’t done a lot of dating in college or since, but she’d done enough to consider herself reasonably confident in the presence of a woman. But not with Adrienne.
“Morgan? It’s okay if you have plans.”
“Oh! No, sorry, was just thinking about timings.” Liar. “Um, sure, dinner sounds good. But could we meet around six? I know that’s a bit early, but—”
“No, that’s fine. I totally understand. How about in your hotel’s brasserie, then you don’t have to travel either?”
So thoughtful. Again. “Oh, that’s perfect, thanks. I’ll see you then.”
Morgan killed an hour in the hotel’s fitness suite, doing mostly stretches and some light weights before a soak in the small steam room and a cool shower to finish off. She was relaxed and refreshed on the outside but a jumble of nerves on the inside. Come on, it’s a quick working dinner!
Yeah, but with a woman who makes my heart pound and my insides melt.
She changed into her softest jeans and a green, long-sleeved T-shirt, throwing a thin scarf around her neck in case the air-conditioning in the brasserie was too fierce. The last thing she needed was a cramped neck on the eve of a tournament—it had happened once before years ago, but she’d learned her lesson. She brushed out her hair, leaving it to tumble around her shoulders. Any chance to literally let her hair down was a welcome one, given she spent most days with it tied tight in a ponytail.
Adrienne waited for her at a table by the window that looked out over the terrace. Some hardy patrons were seated outside despite the cool evening, and Morgan was grateful Adrienne had chosen a table inside. As Morgan approached, Adrienne’s eyes went wide before she dipped her head to look back at the menu she held in her hands.
“Hi,” Morgan said as she slipped into the seat opposite Adrienne. “How are you?”
Adrienne took a moment to meet her gaze, which was puzzling. “I’m good. Achieved a lot today, so…”
“Good.”
They stared at each other for a moment. Morgan forgot all the promises to herself not to look so deeply into Adrienne’s eyes or to drink in the beauty of her skin, those lips, the way her hair perfectly framed her oval face—the hair that Morgan ached to touch, to run her fingers through.
“So,” Adrienne said roughly, then cleared her throat. “Should we order, and then we can talk?”
Morgan shook herself out of her daze and hoped her cheeks weren’t flushing too red as she pulled her gaze away from Adrienne. “Sure. I’ll be having some kind of salad, but don’t let that stop you ordering something less boring.”
Adrienne chuckled. “I actually prefer a salad.”
“Really?”
Now Adrienne laughed, and her eyes sparkled as she did so, drawing Morgan back into that place where nothing else mattered except being in the same space as this beautiful woman.
“Yes, really. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not averse to something richer, but I spend so much time in hotels and on the road, it’s too easy to fall into the habit of eating heavy food every day.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Okay, then let’s check out the salad options together.”
Once they’d placed their orders, Adrienne pulled a notebook from her purse and opened it.
Okay, so she really does mean business. The disappointment cut deep.
They talked through the ideas Adrienne had for the short time that was available before the PGA. That mainly involved another short sit-down segment, which Morgan was okay with until Adrienne elaborated on the subject she wanted to cover.
“So this time I want the main focus to be on following in your father’s footsteps.” She held up a hand when Morgan stiffened in her seat. “Yes, I know you must be fed up of being asked about it. But I can’t do this film and not mention it in some way.” She softened her tone. “You must realize that, yes?”
Morgan sighed. “Yes. Of course.”
Adrienne fiddled with her water glass. “Morgan, is there…? Are you close to your family?”
The anger hit her without warning. “Is that on or off the record?”
Adrienne made an unintelligible sound and leaned forward. “Morgan, I have to be honest with you. It’s a bit of both.” She stared intently at Morgan.
All Morgan wanted to do was change the subject and move them back into that nice zone where they were at ease with each other.
“Morgan, the professional in me knows there’s something not quite right in the Spencer house. You’ve flinched each time the subject of your family has come up during this project. I’d be slacking on my job if I didn’t ask you. But I’ll be honest, the human in me is asking because I…care.” Adrienne visibly swallowed. “Because I don’t like to see anyone hurting about something. Now we’ve spent some time together, I can see that’s what’s happening to you.” She shook her head. “God, now I’m rambling. Maybe we—”
“He doesn’t support me. Or have any belief in the women’s game in general.”
The words fell into the space between them, and Morgan saw their impact. Saw how, in a split second, Adrienne processed what that meant for both Morgan herself and for Adrienne’s perception of the big American golf hero, Gordy Spencer.
“Shit,” Adrienne said.
Morgan burst out laughing. Adrienne’s response was so far from what she’d anticipated, she couldn’t do anything but laugh out loud.
Adrienne smiled ruefully, shaking her head. “Sorry, that wasn’t exactly the most professional response, was it?”
“No,” Morgan said, still chuckling, “but it was the most human response.” And it meant the world to her that Adrienne’s first reaction had come from within herself, not her TV-producer self.
“So, um, how—?”
“Morgan, I thought that was you.”
; Adrienne watched in astonishment as Morgan folded in on herself. The woman she’d just shared an important moment with and then laughed with about it was instantly a shadow of herself at the sound of that voice. Adrienne turned toward it a moment after Morgan, so she had a split second to see the pain, hurt, and anger that zipped across Morgan’s face before she shut down.
What the—?
“Naomi.” Morgan said the word with little energy, and Adrienne saw, out of the corner of her eye, her fold her arms defensively across her chest.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting?” Naomi asked, but her tone was so far from sincere Adrienne nearly snorted.
Of course you are, but you really don’t care, do you?
Adrienne looked at Naomi Chase, and what she saw in her eyes and on her face caused bile to rise in her throat. This woman had hurt Morgan and hurt her badly as far as Adrienne could tell, and she stood here looking between Morgan and Adrienne with a smirk on her face that could only be described as vicious.
This wasn’t Adrienne’s battle. Hell, it wasn’t even her business, but something flooded through her and straightened her spine and lifted her head.
“Yes, actually, you are. Adrienne Wyatt, TC Productions.” She held out her hand and stared Naomi Chase down.
To Adrienne’s intense satisfaction, Chase looked startled and quickly shook Adrienne’s hand even as her mouth twisted into a scowl.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Adrienne continued as Chase opened her mouth, “we’re in the middle of a meeting and have lots to discuss.”
It was delivered in Adrienne’s best cutting tone, the one she rarely used but when she did always had the desired effect. She watched as it worked now.
Chase took a breath, stood up straight, and turned to Morgan.
“Another time,” she murmured and walked away without waiting for a response.
There was a silence in her wake, and regret poured through Adrienne. Well, way to go, Wyatt. Why not act like the macho man protecting his damsel in distress? She almost didn’t want to look at Morgan, but then a gentle snort followed by a throaty chuckle brought her head around to face the woman opposite her.
Morgan’s laughter gently rocked her entire body.
Adrienne’s discomfort waned slightly. “Are you…? God, I’m sorry, that was—”
“Completely wonderful,” Morgan finished, meeting Adrienne’s eyes at last. “But how did you know?”
Adrienne paused. “Jenny. She heard a rumor. I don’t know how.”
Morgan nodded slowly. “Yeah, we weren’t that public about it, but we were seen out a few times. Not that we had anything to hide, but I didn’t want the press making it into a mountain, given who I am, yada yada yada.”
Adrienne sighed. “I am sorry, though. It wasn’t my place to say anything.”
“Adrienne, honestly, I’m grateful. I knew she was here this week, but I’d hoped to avoid her. I never expected she’d just walk right up to me.” She shook her head and looked dazed.
“Is it true, what she did?” Adrienne asked quietly, wondering if that was a step too far.
Morgan seemed unfazed by the question. “Cheated on me? With the woman who worked at the reception desk of our hotel?” She huffed out a breath. “Yep. It’s true.”
“God, I’m so sorry.” She hesitated only a moment before continuing. “I know how that feels. I…I can empathize.”
“Yeah?” Morgan raised one eyebrow.
She nodded. Her heart thudded as she prepared the words, words that still hurt no matter who she said them to. “My partner of ten years cheated on me, then left me. Last year.”
“Ouch.” Morgan winced. “Ten years. That’s tough. I’m sorry.” She yawned, rapidly covering her mouth. “God, sorry. I’m… Suddenly I’m really tired.”
“Hey, it’s okay. I understand. A lot just happened there.” And I didn’t help, asking about your family. In all the drama of Naomi’s appearance, Adrienne had completely forgotten Morgan’s admission about her father.
“Yeah, it did.” Morgan stretched. “Look, our food’s on its way. Do you mind if we just eat and run? Can we talk another time this week about that interview you want to do?”
“Of course.”
The last thing Adrienne wanted to do was press Morgan now. At the same time, she really did want that interview—not to get Morgan to publicly criticize her father, of course. That would be crass. But to perhaps get her to open up about what it was like to grow up in such a famous family and any pressures that might have bestowed on her.
“Thanks, Adrienne. For everything.”
The smile Morgan sent her way made her breath catch in her throat, and she had to cover her emotions by reaching for her water glass. “You’re welcome.”
This getting-to-know-Morgan-but-stay-within-the-boundaries plan was an emotional minefield. One she wasn’t sure she would survive.
“You did good, kid.” Harry patted her shoulder and grinned when she scowled at him.
“You know I hate it when you call me that,” Morgan whined.
He shrugged, laughed at her as she tutted, then held open the door for her.
They stepped into the lobby of the hotel and wove their way through the throngs of guests. Morgan kept her head down, not wanting to be rude but in need of some time to decompress. The round had been tough but had seen her end the second day three shots clear of everyone else.
They headed toward the restaurant, less people blocking their route the farther they travelled. As they passed the bar, noisy with revelers, Morgan glanced down one of the many hallways that led off the extended lobby. She stopped short when she spotted the unlikely pairing of Adrienne and Naomi in conversation.
“What’s up?” Harry asked, peering over her shoulder. “Oh. Her.” His tone was scathing.
Morgan threw him a glance, a wry smirk on her face. “Which one?”
Harry snorted. “That stupid ex-girlfriend of yours.”
Morgan sighed and turned back to observe the interaction between the two women. Naomi looked smug; Adrienne looked awkward.
What is that about?
“Come on,” Harry urged, with a little nudge in her back. “Whatever that is, it’s nothing to do with us.”
He was probably right, but whatever was going on between the two women nagged at her.
“Look, give me a minute, okay? You go ahead and get us a table. I’ll be there soon.”
Harry frowned and folded his arms. “Morgan.”
She held up a hand. “I promise. I’ll be there soon.”
I just need to check she’s okay. God knows what crap Naomi is pulling, but I know it can’t be good.
Harry glared at her, then dropped his arms, shook his head, and walked on.
Morgan watched as Naomi placed her hands on her hips and spoke sternly to Adrienne. Adrienne squared her shoulders and responded in what looked like a calming manner, and then Naomi nodded sharply and strode off down the hallway, away from where Morgan spied on them.
Adrienne dropped her head back and huffed out a long breath before rolling her shoulders.
Morgan took a couple steps forward. “Adrienne?”
Adrienne whipped around to face her, and even with the distance still between them, Morgan could see the fire in her eyes.
Whoa.
“Sorry,” Morgan said, holding up her hands. “I just wanted to check you were okay.”
Adrienne closed her eyes, then smiled as she opened them. “I’m fine,” she replied, slowly walking toward Morgan.
Adrienne was all grace and yet utterly powerful as she approached. The charcoal-grey pants she wore clung to her hips in ways that made Morgan fight for breath. The teal, off-the-shoulder silk shirt teased at Morgan’s mind with the way it alternately emphasized the shape of Adrienne’s breasts and then hid them from view.
Is it me or did the temperature in here just go up ten degrees?
“Are you okay?” Adrienne said softly as she stopped a few feet away.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”
Morgan inhaled deeply and fought hard to bring herself back to a place where she wasn’t thinking about how incredible it would be to wrap her arms around Adrienne and pull her in close.
“What did Naomi want?” Yep, perfect—think about your ex. If ever there was a mood killer…
Adrienne sighed. “An apology.”
“For what?”
“For my rudeness the other day. She made a complaint about me. I had to suck it up.”
“That… She’s…” Morgan’s anger ravaged her insides.
Adrienne held up a hand. “It’s okay. She was right. I was out of line. However satisfying it was at the time.” She smirked.
Morgan shook her head. This woman. “Well, I’m still sorry you had to do that. She’s… She can be very manipulative.”
“So I gather,” Adrienne said drily. She shrugged. “It’s not the first time someone’s nose got put out of joint by me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. The joys of dealing with egos in my line of work.”
“I guess.”
“Oh, hey, great play today! You must be pleased.”
Morgan’s face heated at the praise, something that never normally happened whenever anyone else complimented her game. “I am. It was a good day.”
Her words brought Harry to mind, and she knew she had to get to the restaurant, however tempted she was to stay and talk with Adrienne.
“I, um, I have to go. I’m meeting Harry for dinner and a debrief.”
Adrienne looked disappointed. Or was that wishful thinking? “Of course. Don’t let me keep you.” Adrienne smiled then and looked relaxed for the first time since Morgan had stumbled across her. “And thank you for checking up on me. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime. Although obviously I hope you’re not going to have to deal with Naomi again.”
