Page 17 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

With a wave, I race out the front door and jump into his truck. Even as tall as I am, I have to move the seat up a little to reach better.

The entire drive to the city, Mac's words replay in my head.

He's proven he's serious when he says he wants to be there for me and the kids, but has it been enough to let my walls down?

He's quickly become one of my best friends, and not a day goes by that he doesn't reach out to let me know he's thinking of us, but something's still holding me back.

It's like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop; I'm just not sure what that's going to look like.

I make it to the restaurant early and am relieved to learn I've beaten my potential client.

Logically, I know I shouldn't be nervous.

I've done the research, studied the latest contracts that Gabriella sent over, and I've reached out to old contacts at different modeling agencies, letting them know I'm dipping my toes back into the industry as an agent.

I'm sipping my wine when my eye catches the hostess walking my way with a stunning blonde behind her. Standing, I greet my potential client then pause when I see the hulking man off to her side.

"Thoren?"

"Hey, Celeste."

"You know my brother?"

My hand is still outstretched to the woman who is looking back and forth between the two of us. A flush of embarrassment creeps up my cheek.

"Yes, we've met. Sorry for being so rude. I just didn't expect to see Thoren. I'm Celeste. It's so nice to meet you."

The woman smiles tentatively at me as she shakes my hand. "I'm Talia. It's nice to meet you as well. And sorry for surprising you with this guy." She thumbs over her should at her brother.

"Don't even worry about it. Shall we sit?" I gesture towards the table.

Once seated, Talia dives back in. "When he heard I was meeting a potential new agent, he volunteered to come with me. I'm still so new to this world. I have no idea what's going on. My first agent was a creep."

Thor grunts, his jaw flexing in agreement.

"The agent tried saying I couldn't find anyone better than him or his contract, but thankfully it was only for a few months. I knew better than to re-sign with him. After dealing with him, there was no doubt in my mind I wanted female representation going forward."

"I don't blame you at all. There are a lot of great people, but there are just as many who are only out for themselves. Out of curiosity, who was your previous agent?"

"Chad Fitzgerald." She shivers as if saying his name is like dumping a bucket of cold water over her head.

Anger flares through me. My jaw clenches as the reality that I won't be able to escape my ex as easily as I hoped washes over me.

I know I need to say something, but I'm frozen as my emotions get the better of me. It isn't until Thoren clears his throat that I snap out of it. Looking across the table, I see sympathy in his gaze.

Great, another person to feel sorry for me for picking the most deplorable person to father my children.

Straightening my shoulders, I put on my best professional face.

"Unfortunately, I'm well acquainted with Chad.

I know better than anyone how well he puts on a good front, only to show his true colors later down the line.

I'm sorry you also had to experience this firsthand.

I want to reassure you that I will protect you from snakes like him if you choose to work with me.

"I've learned a lot over my years in this industry and from the many invaluable connections I've made.

Gabriella showed me how every model should be treated and represented, and that's exactly how I intend to take care of my clients.

As much as I hope to work with you going forward, I'm not going to give you a sales pitch tonight.

I'd rather learn about you and what your goals are within this industry, and in turn, let you get to know me and some of my experiences, if that's alright with you. "

"That sounds wonderful." Talia smiles at me tentatively.

The rest of the dinner is way more relaxed as I learn all I can about Talia, her experience in the modeling world up to this point, and her aspirations as far as her career goes.

Thoren is silent yet reassuring, letting his sister shine.

Their love for each other is obvious and makes me think of my relationship with Ezra.

Talia reminds me so much of myself that it makes me want to work with her even more.

I have a feeling there's a reason Gabriella sent her my way.

She knows I'm ready to dive back in, but I'd be even more ready if I felt a connection to my potential client.

Talia is young and sweet, not yet completely tainted by the harshness that comes with the modeling world.

If I can protect that, I will at all costs.

With dinner done and the bill handled, we leave the restaurant.

Outside, I say a final goodbye. "Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me, Talia. I'm so glad to have met you and would love to talk further if that's something you're interested in."

"Absolutely. Tonight was amazing, and I have zero doubts that I want you to be my agent." She bounces on her feet.

"That makes me so happy. Give me a call tomorrow, and we can set up a meeting to draft a contract that will work out for both of us, okay?"

"Okay." She smiles, then pulls me into a hug.

"Bye, Thor." I wave at him, then walk to Mac's truck. I'm startled when they both fall in step with me. "What are you doing?"

"Walking you to your car. It's dark, and you're a beautiful woman in the city."

"That's not necessary. I'm right there." I gesture towards Mac's truck.

"Hmm." Thor smirks knowingly at me. "Well, have a good night then."

"I will. Nice meeting you, Talia."

"You too!" She waves as Thor guides her in the opposite direction.

I'm exhausted yet exhilarated on my drive home. It's been one emotional whiplash after another.

I know I need to come to terms with hearing Chad's name in conversation when it comes to work stuff. Despite him being useless, his father is still huge in the modeling world and his firm has a location here. My path might cross Chad's even if I don't want it to.

I'm so lost in my head that I'm surprised when I see the turn for my street. My body was on autopilot the whole way home, so the trip felt like it took no time at all. I checked my phone before I left, but the last message I had from Mac was that he and the kids made it to the rink safely.

I park his truck by the front door and drag myself inside, where I kick off my heels as soon as I make it through the door. From where I stand, I can see Talon sleeping on Mac's chest, on the couch in the living room. It isn't until I'm a few feet away that I realize something is off.

"What the fuck happened?" I gasp, my eyes widening at the cast on my baby boy's arm.