“Does your girlfriend know you’re sweet-talking her cousin?”
“She told me to be nice. I thought I’d be extra nice, given you’re writing a sweet piece on me.”
“Sweet piece? We’ll see.” My lips curved into a smile. “Did you get my email?”
“I did. Pretty hefty paper, isn’t it?”
“Mr. Chester is obviously very grateful for your donation.”
He laughed and leaned forward. “I’m sure he is. Let me order a—”
Piper set a coffee down in front of him. “Sandwiches? Your usual?”
“Hello to you, too,” Seb drawled. “That’d be great, thanks.”
I nodded in agreement, and she walked away laughing.
“Coffee,” Seb said after a moment. “I was going to order a coffee.”
I grinned.
“Let’s start with the simple stuff. What do you need from me, specifically?”
“I would like to interview you on your career and what led you to open the sports center,” I said slowly. “I’d like to ask you how you formed the idea, the process to opening it, and how you run it now and highlight the programs you offer. And… I know your injury is a tough spot, so you can absolutely submit me questions regarding that so you’re as comfortable as possible.”
Seb rubbed his chin. “No, I trust you. I know you’ll scratch anything I’m not comfortable with, but I also understand that my injury is the reason this center was created.” He met my eyes. “You have carte blanche with me, London.”
Dang.
Okay.
“Okay, but if there is anything specific you don’t want to discuss, please let me know.” I sipped my coffee. “I’d also like you to do a walk through of the center so we can discuss all the facilities you have, and I’d appreciate as many interviews as I can get with your coaches and members of staff.”
“I don’t see why that should be a problem. Some might not prefer their photos to be taken.”
“I understand. We have releases for all your staff and consent forms for all your attending children. If possible, Mr. Chester would like everyone to be emailed the consent forms and photo releases so we can feature them in the paper. And if any of the parents would answer some questions, that would be amazing.”
Seb nodded slowly. Felicity brought over our sandwiches right then, and after we both confirmed that we didn’t need anything else, she left us alone. We ate in silence before he spoke again.
“Some parents may have an issue,” he said when he was done. “Some are close to my old team and probably won’t want their kids to be featured. How much time do you have for those?”
“Not long. Mr. Chester has given me roughly two weeks to pull everything together, so I’d need any confirmed releases within one week from today.” I shifted uncomfortably. “I think he wants to get this out sooner rather than later.”
“Understood. Do you have the releases and consent forms ready?”
“I can have them sent over this afternoon if you give me an email address. I’ve been assigned an assistant for this project.”
He grinned. “I bet Ebony is going insane. She was just telling me last week how she was going to call me to set up a meeting, but when I heard from Chester and he told me about you…”
“I haven’t seen her,” I admitted. “She wasn’t in the office today when I got there, but she rode my ass all day yesterday trying to figure out what was going on.”
“She has a gym membership. She was trying to flirt with Ollie, and it was fun watching him turn her down. She’s determined, huh?”
“Determined is one word,” I said slowly. “Can we set up an interview with Sydney, the photographer? I’d love to walk through the center with you and get photos to accompany the interview. You’ll be the main spread, but it’ll be interspersed with interviews with members of staff and hopefully parents.”
“Send it all over, and I’ll get it sorted out. Any particular day for the interview?”
I shook my head. “Whenever is good for you. My ex might be here in time to get Leo from school on Friday, though, so that could be better as I’d have more time.”
Seb nodded slowly. “I think I can make that work. And the ex? Ouch.”
“Always a pleasure to see him,” I said dryly. “I’ll make sure you get everything today. Thank you. It’s much easier if there’s co-operation.”
He grinned. “Holley says the same thing.”
“Yes, but as far as she’s concerned, the only method of co-operation is the one in which you co-operate with her.” I fished money out of my purse to pay my share of the bill. “Which is why I’m doing that stupid freaking speed dating shit again this weekend.”
“Ouch. Want me to find you a date instead?”
Laughing, I put the money down. “No, you’re good. Just get me a few interviews with your staff… If you have any who only happen to be available on Saturday night, I’ll take that.”
“Here, I got this.”
“No, it’s fine.” I shook my head and got up. “Just keep your girlfriend amused this weekend so she won’t notice me slipping out of the bar to escape.”
Seb grinned. “If you insist.”
***
“Leo! Your dinner is ready!”
“Aw, Momma! Five more minutes!”
I poked my head out of the back door. He was standing in front of the back wall, goalkeeper gloves on, holding his favorite tattered soccer ball. I knew he’d been practicing his solo drills using the wall, but he’d already been out there for ninety minutes.
“Nope. I let you go out there before you did your homework. You need to come in, eat your dinner, then do your math before your dad calls you tonight.”
“Ohhh. That’s not fair.”
“Fine, then I’ll tell your dad not to call you.”
“Momma!”
“Dinner, Leo.” I stepped to the side and motioned inside the kitchen for him to come in.
With a huff, he threw his ball down, then tore off his gloves and did the same with them.
“Without the attitude,” I said in a firm voice. “Or no practice tomorrow.”
His expression dropped. “But that’s not fair!”
“Neither is your attitude toward me and your belongings. Your actions have consequences, and if you carry on like this, you won’t have practice. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Momma.” He looked down. “I’m sorry.”
I ruffled his hair. “Just calm down, okay? All I’m asking for you to do is eat dinner. We made a deal, but if it’s going to be a problem, I won’t be doing it again.”
“Okay. Can I go out after my homework?”
“After your dad calls. If your homework is all done after that, you can have another twenty minutes before you shower.”
He sat at the table and shook his hair out. “Okay. This looks yummy.” He smiled at me hopefully.
“Nice try,” I muttered, passing him some shredded cheese to put on top of his spaghetti. “Enjoy, monster.”