Page 64 of The Game Plan
He shrugged. “My mom taught me how to dance.”
Sutton’s brows shot high. “Your mom?”
He nodded, deftly maneuvering her around the other couples. “I was sixteen and going to my first dance with a friend of mine, and I didn’t know how to dance. So, I asked my mom to teach me, and she did. My friend was so surprised when I asked her to dance and didn’t step on her feet.”
Sutton giggled and gasped when Reese dipped her at the end of the song.
“Ready to go back to the table?”
She nodded, and when they headed in that direction, they were surprised to see Tito and Eliana there.
They were seated at a different table, mostly comprised of other agents and some players.
His agent was all shiny smiles in his gold, diamond-encrusted grill. He held Eliana’s hand; his assistant was dressed to the nines in a shimmering silver number with a Swarovski diamond clutch similar to the one he’d purchased for his mother.
“Tito,” he said, shaking his hand. “Eliana, you look lovely tonight.”
Tito winked at him, adjusting the lapels of his white suit, the silver braiding along the edge sparkling underneath the chandelier’s light.
“Please, sit,” Sutton said, motioning to the chairs across from them.
Reese and Tito tugged out the ladies’ chairs for them and took their seats next to them.
“How are you two enjoying your evening?” Sutton asked, taking a sip of her water.
“It’s gorgeous,” Eliana said, looking around. “The purple is so rich and amazing and works so well with the gold and white.”
“Thank you,” Sutton replied, a huge smile coming to her face. “The inspiration for the color scheme came from a wedding I went to recently, and it was fantastic.”
“I love it. I would love something like that for my wedding.” Eliana took a sip of her Cosmopolitan and set it back down. Her eyes suddenly rounded as Jace Austin appeared at their table; a small squeal elicited from her.
“Evening, everyone,” Jace said, stepping back to reveal Callie McCoy approaching the table as well.
“Hi, you two,” Sutton said, joining Reese as he stood to shake their hands. “I hope y’all are having a great night.”
“We are,” Callie replied, slipping into the chair that Jace tugged out for her. “Thank you for the invitation. Even the mayor is here!”
Sutton positively beamed in the seat next to him. “I know! I’m so happy we got her to come.”
“She’s so busy all the time, I’m surprised she could,” Callie said, setting her clutch down on the table. “She wasn’t even able to make it to one of my concerts here.”
“I’ve had multiple invitations returned with regret,” Sutton said, leaning forward. “Apparently, she wasn’t going to be able to make this one, either, but when they found out that her opponent for re-election was coming, they changed their mind.”
“It wouldn’t look very good if the mayor wasn’t here to support a local children’s charity, along with the local football team that is less than a week away from the country’s biggest game,” Andre said as he and Nicole joined the group.
Reese stood to shake his hand. “Welcome to the table.”
Andre pulled Nicole’s chair out for her and sat, saying hello to everyone at the table.
Reese could see Eliana’s barely contained excitement at being at the table with so many celebrities; her lips pursed tightly as she squirmed in her seat.
“Eliana, I’m sure you know Jace Austin,” Reese said, bringing Jace’s attention to her.
Her face flushed pink, and she nodded. “I do. I’m such a big fan,” she squeaked out.
Tito laughed and tugged a CD from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
“Could you sign this?” she asked. “I know it’s a charity ball and everything, but I’d truly appreciate it.”