Chapter One
Mia
I stood in the box suite after the first Dallas Diamonds game of the season, although my attention wasn’t on the game.
No, the Griffen Industries suite was purely another networking spot with a football field in the background. It was a place to get ahead while drinking and offering potential clients the experience of a lifetime. Today was all about solidifying my relationship with the Andersen sisters, two women who’d grown an incredible company from the ground up.
I loved their mission of building microhomes for those in need. And better yet? They were underdogs, like me. Leticia and Andrina were first gen college students after having lived in and out of homeless shelters as children before founding a successful philanthropic business. Although I didn’t have as much adversity to overcome as they did, I was a plus-size, female CEO after years spent working as an executive assistant.
Together, we could make history.
That is if they would first agree to the acquisition.
My plan was to acquire their company, Andersen Avenue and expand into the travel space, using the profits to continue their charitable efforts. There were so many people—those fresh out of college, starting new jobs, working in temporary travel positions and more—who just needed a no-frills place to lay their heads at night.
And on top of the Andersen sisters, I had to convince the board to invest in something we’d never done before with the remaining budget for the year.
Leticia approached me, a smile in her charcoal eyes. “This was great.” She flipped long locs over her shoulder, glancing toward the football field. “Do you think Ford will stop by?”
She might have been trying to hide it, but I could tell she was eager to meet the team’s star quarterback—and the man voted football’s hottest player for the last three years. Couldn’t blame her one bit.
“I believe he should be here any minute now.” I grinned and checked my watch. There were perks to the company’s founder, Gage Griffen, being from Ford’s hometown of Cottonwood Falls.
Andrina approached, handing her sister a drink. “Is Ford coming?” She was far less coy about her excitement.
I chuckled. It reminded me of a conversation I might have with my best friend Farrah. She was here in the suite too with her husband, Gage, but I didn’t have much of a chance to chat with her with everything going on.
All the color drained from Leticia’s face as she stared at the door, and I followed her gaze just in time to see a player in full uniform and slides walking into the room. All he was missing was shoulder pads, but his shoulders were still broad and strong under the purple and white jersey. His dark brown hair was damp with sweat, contrasting his lightly tanned skin. He caught my gaze with dimensional blue eyes, and I nodded subtly.
His lips spread into an easy grin, the confusing kind that set you at ease while somehow making your heart beat faster. But I stifled those thoughts because this was business—and it rarely left time for pleasure.
“Ford, great game,” I said once he got close enough. “This is Leticia and Andrina Andersen.” I gestured at the sisters standing next to me, different versions of the same font. They both had dark skin, narrow faces, and almond-shaped dark brown eyes that caught the light in the room.
Andrina, just slightly taller than her sister at six feet tall, nearly stood eye to eye with Ford. “It is amazing to meet you, Mr. Madigan. You had a great game today. We’re so excited for the season. I really think we have a chance at winning the whole thing this year. Came really close last year. But that’s okay. I think the new kicker is really—”
“I’m Leticia,” her sister cut in, stopping Andrina’s nervous babble. “Can you tell my sister and I are big fans?”
Ford chuckled. “Nice to meet you.” He had on all the charm, offering an easy smile, just a hint of a southern drawl in his tone. “But I’m the fan of y’all. Mia’s told me all about Andersen Avenue. It’s amazing what you’ve done for the unhoused community in Texas metros.”
I thought Andrina might faint, while Leticia grinned ear to ear. “You’ve heard of us?” Leticia asked, almost like she was in a happy trance.
I smiled and rubbed her arm. “You deserve all the attention you get. What you two have built is truly incredible.”
Ford nodded in agreement. “I’d love to hear more about it—possibly once I’ve showered and am smelling better. Are you two free for dinner sometime this week?”
Andrina swayed, nearly dropping her drink, and Leticia wordlessly put her arm around her sister for support. “We would love that. Mia, would you be able to connect us?”
I nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll have Vanover handle the details.” I made a mental note to make sure that was top priority on my assistant’s ever-growing list. I didn’t know what I’d do without him.
Ford dipped his head and smiled. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
The two sisters walked away, whispering to each other, and I looked up at Ford, focusing more on business than his impeccable jawline. “Thank you for that.”
His eyes trailed after them for a moment before meeting mine again. Even when he wasn’t on the field, there was an intensity behind his gaze that I recognized. I felt it in myself—whether I was on the clock or not, I was still a CEO. “I’m excited to see what you can do with their company,” he said. “How close are you to closing them?”
“I think they’re warm to the idea. They’ve been operating on a shoestring budget, and an influx of cash is just what they need—if I can get the board to agree.” I glanced around to make sure no one could hear me. “My CFO has been a real pain in my ass.”
Ford’s upper lip tugged in disgust. “Gage told me about Thomas.”
“I know,” I muttered.
“He should have let him go.”
“He didn’t give Gage as much trouble as he does me,” I said, “and he’s generally good at his job. Plus, he has a lot of sway now with our board. Letting him go would cause a riot.”
“As if those old fogies could riot. I’d pay to see it,” Ford retorted.
I let out a surprised laugh, and he smiled back at me. I couldn’t help but think about Ford and where he came from. Everyone I knew from Cottonwood Falls was so kind, and those who rose to stardom rarely let it get to their heads.
“Is there anything else I can help with?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Thank you, Ford.”
“Any time.”
He turned to walk away, and I gave myself a second to watch. I might not have been a football fan, but I was certainly a fan of Ford Madigan.
