Dan was grateful no one was paying any attention to him because he’d gotten dizzy from the altitude. He had to hand it to the kid, however. Ron leaned back in his chair with the smug look of a mafioso who had controlling interest in a concrete block company.

Keane’s attitude underwent a subtle transformation, and he regarded Phoebe in a manner that was both unfriendly and patronizing. The thought passed through Dan’s mind that Keane, for all his smarts, had better take care. Dan knew from past experience how easy it was to get suckered by these two con artists.

“I have to warn you that the whole thing sounds much too tentative to me. It’s extremely doubtful the League would agree to a third pro team in the New York City area. If I were you, I wouldn’t set my heart on moving the Stars to Manhattan.”

Phoebe gave the same giggle that only ten minutes earlier had set Dan’s back teeth on edge. Now it sounded as musical as church bells. How could he ever have doubted her? Not only was she smart as a whip, but she had guts.

“That’s exactly what Ronnie said,” she chirped, “but I have a backup plan.”

“You do?”

She leaned closer. “You wouldn’t believe how much Baltimore wants its own NFL team. Ever since the—” She looked down the table at Dan, and he finally knew her well enough to recognize the glitter in her eyes. As he kept his expression inscrutable, his chest swelled with pride.

“What was the name of that team that left Baltimore?” she inquired.

“The Colts.”

“Right Ever since the Colts left, Baltimore’s been dying to get another team. And then there’s Orlando.” An expression of pure bliss settled over her face. “Those men are the sweetest guys in the world. Last week when we talked, they presented me with the cutest little Montblanc pen with gold mouse ears on it.” She gave a soft, Minnie-like squeal and sighed with pleasure. “Oh, I just love Orlando. Their stadium site is right next to Disney World.”

Keane looked stunned.

“So you see, I do know how to be a tough businesswoman.” She slipped her napkin from her lap and stood. “Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to make a trip to the little girls’ room. And, Ronnie, you be civil to Jason while I’m gone. You’ve gotten everything you want, so you can afford to be gracious.”

As she walked away from the table, she took all of their eyes with her. The door shut.

Dan wanted to jump to his feet and give her a standing ovation. At that moment, he knew without doubt that he couldn’t marry Sharon Anderson, and he felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Phoebe filled his heart, not Sharon, and he was going to have to rethink everything. The future he’d been so certain about was now murky, a fact that should have depressed him. Instead, he experienced a surge of exhilaration.