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“Sure Football is Aame People like it It teaches discipline and teamwork It teaches life” He paused, then ss in ram was recently valued at 805 million dollars That’s just football Superstar athletes bring in five or ten times what their scholarships are worth”
“In ten years maybe,” Tad muttered
“Another one of your long-tere,” Jack murmured “I had a coach once who used to say you’re either part of the problem or you’re part of the solution” He turned to President Newham “Ma’am, it’s not an easy decision to -terue that the money is better spent elsewhere But even if you only end up with an average teaet it up and running Plus, a good football teae Who in America hasn’t heard of UCLA?”
“That could be because of the medical center,” Tad pointed out
“Yeah, it could,” Jack said easily “Except every one of those people know they’re the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans and the Notre Da Irish You don’t learn that from a medical school” He paused “Or a tennis team”
Tad started to rise fro the hts because every now and then a fight seeood idea Of course, that belief only lasted until he landed the first blohich always hurt like a son of a bitch
“A to have to separate you two?” the university president asked
Jack grinned “Probably a good idea”
She surprised hiht, Mr McGarry Convince ht Tell me all the reasons Cal U Fool’s Gold should have a football team”
Jack nodded slowly “Sure thing How much time do you have?”
LARISSA WALKED INTO the project rooether to fore dry-erase boards on talls and corkboards on the other two A screen could be pulled down for computer presentations Low cabinets held every kind of office supply and craft ic happened Mock-ups began here, as did the brainstor sessions
Percy sat at one of the long tables, stacks of azines in front of hie with a ruler
“Whatcha doing?” she asked as she approached
He glanced up and smiled at her “Hey, Larissa”
“Hey, yourself I see Taryn already put you to work”
“She did” He pointed to thesure they’re the right size and in the right part of the azine”
He showed her the cover sheet for the ad approval fore and so on—the nae number the ad should be on At the top of each cover sheet was a s easier
“The pictures tell e nuht here When I’ve checked it all, I put my initials in this box here” He pointed to the form
He sounded proud of the work he was doing, she thought happily “You like working here?”
“Yeah It’s real interesting I’ve had jobs before, but not in a place like this I’ the bathroo company for a few months” He wrinkled his nose “This is better” His so and introduced hiuy”
“He is”
“He’s taking h food that I won’t be hungry for hours” His expression turned wistful “That’s a nice feeling, not to be hungry” He glanced at her, then away “Not that I care about that kind of thing But some people do”
Her heart cracked a little as she wondered howto eat that day
“You’ll like Kenny He’s a great guy” She pulled out a chair and sat next to Percy “I hope you’ll think about what you want to do for your future,” she said “Maybe college”
Percy turned his attention to theI need to get onna help me with that”
“Good”
“Are you two, like, engaged?”
Larissa jumped to her feet “No Of course not What a silly question Why would you ask that?” Before he could answer, she was heading for the door “I’ll check in with you later,” she called over her shoulder
Engaged? That would never happen Jack didn’t want a permanent relationship and she wasn’t interested in one now, either Certainly not with him Jack was the kind of man who
She walked down the hallway Jack was nice enough, she re Successful He cared about people and she trusted him But he was also into his bimbo of the week His idea of an in-depth relationship was one that lasted teeks She would know She bought the parting gifts he gave his lady friends
Her and Jack? Ridiculous They were friends Good friends Good friends who had kissed that one tih
She wandered into Taryn’s office only to see her friend jump in her chair
“What?” Taryn demanded “Why are you here?”
Larissa held up both hands in a gesture of surrender “Why are you crabbier than usual?”
Taryn sighed “Sorry That was guilt”
Larissa looked at the co?”
Taryn turned the coowns”
Larissa stared at a beautiful dress that was fitted to the waist, then flowed down in a cascade of fabric and lace and flowers “If there’s rain we can all take cover under the skirt”
Taryn’sabout fashion”
“Which works out because you know enough for both of us Do you like that?”
“Sort of I worry it’s too much for this damn town”
“You’re too much and yet you love it here”
“I know Life has quite the sense of hucouture, it’s going to be months before it’s ready”
Larissa sprawled in a seat on the visitor’s side of the desk “What about the designers Isabel already works with? You’ve said there are several you like Ask the, you’re not co And it would be faster than soner”
Isabel had a clothing store and a bridal gown store in town For a sleepy little tourist town, Fool’s Gold had so
Taryn’s blue-violet eyes widened “That’s a brilliant idea”
“Please don’t sound surprised I can be intelligent”
“You always are And that’s great I’ll talk to Isabel and see what she thinks” Her eyes narrowed slightly “Why are you here?”
“Youto talk about the metaphysics of life on earth, I need a cookie”
“Why are you in my office?” Taryn clarified
“I’ different stuff Want a e?”
“I just had one”