Page 38 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)
Chapter
Twenty-Three
A s they drove to the charity event, Darby said, “You never mentioned what tonight is about. Who’s sponsoring it. What they’re raising funds for.”
“It’s being held by one of the Texas sportswriters’ associations,” Jace told her.
“The funds raised tonight will go to juvenile diabetes research. About fifteen years ago, one of the leading sports columnists for a Houston newspaper had a son diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. The idea for this event started with him and in Houston. It’s grown exponentially over the years.
The main fundraising event occurs in Houston one year.
San Antonio the next. Then Austin, Ft. Worth, and Dallas before it rotates back to Houston. ”
Because she was a huge sports fan, Darby was excited that she might be meeting reporters she was familiar with.
Though she had lived out of state for over a decade, she had a digital subscription to the Dallas Morning News and kept up with the sports scene in Texas that way, especially her beloved Texas Longhorns and the Cowboys since West had played for them for so many years.
Jace added, “They hold the event in the middle of the week since all these sportswriters are busiest on the weekends covering games. Because of that, it’ll be an early night. We should be out of here no later than ten o’clock. Probably sooner.”
They pulled up to a well-known hotel, and a valet met them. Another opened Darby’s car door for her and assisted her in getting out. Jace handed over his valet key, and they entered the hotel’s lobby. Suddenly, panic washed over her, and she looked at him.
“Do I have lipstick on my teeth?” she asked, baring her teeth at him.
He laughed. “No. You look beautiful. Besides, I would’ve told you if I had seen any.”
“I just want everything to be perfect this evening. This is the first time I’ll be mingling with people you see socially, as well as do business with.”
They rode an escalator up to the mezzanine level where the ballrooms were located and stopped at a table where Jace gave their names. They were given wristbands to wear to show they were a part of tonight’s event, as well as a stack of pretend money to play various games of chance.
The woman who registered them said, “If you don’t know how to play any of the games of chance, you can use this QR code to download the rules.
” She pointed to a placard on the table.
“We also have volunteers scattered around the ballroom who can also help guide you. Or you can simply watch a game for a round or two before deciding to jump right in.”
“Where is the silent auction being held?” Jace asked. “I saw an item on the website I want to bid on.”
“It’s in the adjacent ballroom. Doors are open so guests can flow freely from the casino games to the auction without having to come outside and around. Restrooms are to your left. Enjoy your evening.”
Jace’s fingers threaded through hers, giving Darby a boost of confidence as they walked into the large ballroom.
It was already about half full, and gameplay was already in progress.
Food and drink stations were set up around the ballroom, and a passing server stopped to allow them to take a flute of champagne.
“Let’s make a loop around the room,” he suggested. “That way, I can introduce you to a few people, and we can see which games are available and what we want to do.”
“Good idea,” she agreed.
It took almost forty-five minutes to circulate around the room.
It seemed that Jace knew everyone—and everyone knew him.
Darby was thrilled to meet sportswriters from various newspapers and magazines, as well as a few major online sites, recognizing almost all of them from their pictures, which appeared next to the columns and news stories they wrote.
There were also sports anchors from various TV stations in Dallas, and she got into a lively discussion with two of them about next month’s Texas/OU game, which was traditionally played during the State Fair each year at the Cotton Bowl on the fairgrounds.
One argued with her that it was the OU/Texas game and not the other way around.
Shaking her head, Darby said, “You’re a traitor to the state if you refer to it that way.”
He laughed easily. “Let’s just say that my daughter—and my money—went to OU. I try to stay neutral in most sports contests, but I like to support my little girl when I can. She graduated magna cum laude, and she’s now in her second year of med school here in Dallas at UT Southwestern.”
The sports anchor pulled out his phone, showing Darby a picture of him with his daughter.
“Smart and beautiful,” she said. “Obviously, she takes after her mother.”
Everyone laughed, and Darby realized that she was relaxed and thoroughly enjoying herself.
Though she had dreaded attending tonight’s event, it was turning out to be far different from what she had anticipated.
Then again, it revolved around the world of sports, something she knew and loved.
A different event or gala might be a far cry from what she was experiencing tonight.
They continued moving through the room, and she met a few professional athletes who were also in attendance.
Some played for the Dallas Mavericks, while others played for the Texas Rangers or Dallas Stars.
A handful were on the Dallas Cowboys roster, and Jace represented two of them.
She sensed the pride he felt in her when he introduced her to the players.
Immediately, Darby began asking questions about a defensive scheme and some of the play calling which had occurred in last weekend’s game.
The two players spent a lot of time with her, answering her questions in detail.
She suggested a coverage the Cowboys weren’t using, and one player agreed with her that they should implement it.
When they got ready to move on, one of them even said, “Tanner, you better hold on to this one. She knows her stuff.” He grinned. “Maybe even more than you do.”
Jace laughed. “Maybe I should hire Darby. She could be my new shark.”
They moved away, his hand on the small of her back, causing those familiar tingles to dance along her spine.
“You’re doing great tonight,” he praised. “I knew you would. You’re definitely in your element, talking sports.”
“It’s something I’ve loved since I was young. It’s going to be so good, being back in Texas, rooting for all my home teams.”
“Shall we try our luck at the tables now?”
“Sure,” she responded.
They started at the roulette table. Jace had a few winning spins, while Darby lost money twice and decided to quit betting and merely watch him. They moved on to a poker table and stayed for a while. She had better luck there, almost doubling her money.
He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Remind me never to play poker with you. Talk about being a shark. You definitely know how to move in for the kill.”
They opened up their spots for new players after a few more hands and continued to try other tables. She had already drunk one glass of champagne and now sipped on a glass of Moscato. She wasn’t a big drinker and decided this glass of wine needed to last her the rest of the evening.
Jace said, “I see someone I’ve got to talk to. It’s business. It’s confidential, so would you mind if I leave you alone for a few minutes?”
“I think I’ll go check out the silent auction. You can find me there when you’re done.”
He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips, and Darby knew he was staking his claim publicly.
She entered the other ballroom, which was much smaller than the one she’d left.
Perusing some of the auction items, she found that most of them pertained to sports, whether it was tickets to a future game or memorabilia, such as a player’s jersey or a baseball mitt or hockey stick.
Every now and then, some vacation trip was thrown in, usually to an exotic locale such as Fiji or Greece.
A sports columnist from Ft. Worth whom she’d met earlier in the evening came up to her and said, “I find everything here a little rich for my blood. Then again, we’re trying to raise money for juvenile diabetes.”
She nodded. “I’m a teacher, so I’m definitely on a limited budget. I’m afraid I won’t be bidding on anything.”
For a few minutes, they discussed the Cowboys chances for winning their division and moving into the playoffs, and then the writer said, “I’m glad to see Jace is finally with a woman who has a brain between her ears.
I see him frequently throughout the year, and it’s a different woman on his arm each time.
You’ve got substance, Darby, and I can tell that Jace is really interested in you. ”
His phone buzzed, and he looked at the screen. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to take this.”
“Of course,” she said, glowing from his words. She knew Jace had been good for her, but she was also wanted to be good for him, too.
Moving to the next item in the silent auction, she began reading the description when the scent of heavy perfume invaded her space.
Darby looked to her right and saw a stunning brunette, one with flawless skin and a slinky dress that would cost her three month’s salary. Intense brown eyes assessed her.
“You have made quite the splash this evening,” the woman said, sounding both judgmental and a bit envious at the same time.
Since the woman didn’t introduce herself, Darby said, “We haven’t met. I’m Darby Montgomery.”
She did not offer the stranger her hand.
The woman sniffed. “Penelope Rossi. I am a jewelry designer in Dallas. My clientele is quite exclusive.” She paused. “So, you are the flavor of the week.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Jace’s new toy,” Penelope clarified, causing Darby’s temper to flare. “He changes women frequently, so don’t get used to him being by your side. Tonight might be the only time you are seen with him. I believe they call it a one and done in the sports world.”