Quarterback Draw
Page 24

“Glad you two are settled. I guess I’ll find myself something to eat.”
“Oh, and a woman I met up there said this was one of the boxes where team family members sat, so you should introduce yourself as Grant’s wife.” Anya snickered at her.
Katrina rolled her eyes. “You’re so funny.”
She went over to the food table. Anya was right. There was an amazing array of delicacies to be had. She couldn’t decide, so she stood there, surveying everything.
“It’s hard to reconcile what your stomach wants with what your common sense and waistline tells you not to eat.”
Katrina turned to find a gorgeous blonde standing next to her. “I might just say the hell with common sense and my waistline.”
The woman held out her hand. “I’m Savannah Riley. And you’re Katrina Korsova.”
“I am. Nice to meet you.”
“I’ve seen your pictures like … everywhere, and I’ve caught a few of your runway shows. I’m a big fan.”
“Thank you.” Typically women didn’t like her. This was a surprise.
“I didn’t know you were dating one of the Traders.”
“I’m not. I only recently met Grant Cassidy. We did a photo shoot together. He offered my brother and sister and me tickets to the game today.”
“Oh, Grant. I like him. Where are your brother and sister?”
“Stuffing their faces over there on the back row of seats.” She pointed them out.
Savannah looked over where Katrina had gestured. “I see them. Teenagers, huh? Such a fun age.”
“Yeah, unless you’re in charge of raising them.”
Savannah arched a brow. “You’re their guardian?”
“I am.”
“Oh, Katrina. We need some wine. And some of this great food, too. You have to tell me your story.”
At Katrina’s hesitation, Savannah laid a hand on her arm. “Trust me, I’m not press. I’m an image consultant, and I’m married to Cole Riley, wide receiver for the Traders.”
“Image consultant? That must be a fascinating job.”
“It’s a great job. I love it. Now let’s go get some wine.”
They found the bartender, who poured them glasses of wine. They settled on a spot where she could keep an eye on the kids, who were busy watching all the pregame activities and chatting with the people around them, clearly not at all interested in where she was. No surprise there. But she had them in her sights from where she and Savannah took seats.
“Okay, now that we’re settled, I want to hear all about you,” Savannah said. “You are so famous. All the traveling you do to fun locations? What’s that like?”
She always had guys hitting on her. Women tended to avoid her, and she never understood why. She found Savannah charming, beautiful, and friendly. She instantly liked her.
“The travel is great. I can’t complain about it.”
“But we do complain, don’t we? I get to travel a lot for my job, and it’s awesome. I love the work I do. But I find myself missing home.”
Right away, Savannah understood. “Yes. I almost feel ashamed for resenting this amazing career I’ve been given.” She looked around to make sure no one was within hearing distance. “I mean, I’m twenty-seven years old and I’ve made more money than I’ll ever need in a lifetime.”
Savannah took a sip of her wine. “But? You’re tired of the travel? Burned-out? Lonely?”
Katrina blew out a breath. “It’s like you took the words right out of my mouth, the ones I never say out loud.”
“Oh, sugar, I think most career women feel that twinge of guilt. We have major successes, and maybe some women never have regrets. Me? I love my job. I’m living my dream. But when I’ve been traveling for two weeks straight there are times I’d give it all up just to be able to spend a month at home.”
“Right. Until you spent a month at home.”
Savannah laughed. “Isn’t that the truth? Then I’d go crazy and I’d be dying to get back on a plane. Do you think men go through this?”
“I have no idea. Probably not, because they’re not emotional like women are.”
“You might be right about that. My husband Cole travels all the time during the football season. I never heard him say he’s tired of it. He just says it’s part of his job and he’s used to it. On the other hand, after a week on the road I start missing my husband, my bed, and my favorite pillow. And our dog that we just adopted recently.”
“Awww. That’s like having a baby around.”
“I know. Right now I’m missing Luther so much.” She pulled out her phone and showed Katrina a photo of an adorable mixed breed.
“He looks like maybe some golden retriever?”
Savannah nodded. “Yes. Mixed with Labrador and the vet said likely something else. He’s a year old and Cole and I are madly in love with him. Right now he’s staying with my in-laws. I was here in New York on business, so I decided to stay over the weekend to see Cole’s game. We’re both headed home after the game and I can’t wait to see our baby.”
Katrina laughed and handed the phone back to Savannah. “That’s awesome. With that little guy, travel’s going to be even tougher for you.”
“I know. I’m branching out my business and hiring two consultants, so my travel should start easing up a little. I’d like to stay put a little more in the future. We bought a house, just got married in May, and now with the dog, I need more stability and less flying around the country. If my husband and I never see each other, it’s going to make marriage a lot tougher. He travels enough during the football season. We can’t have both of us on the road all the time.”