The All-Star weekend buzz was finally dying down.
Link didn't ride the team bus back to the hotel with everyone else.
He and Isabella had already made plans to wander the Vegas Strip together that night.
Inside the elevator, Isabella seemed a little off. She kept a tiny bit of distance between them, arms crossed, staring straight ahead.
Link picked up on it immediately.
"What's up?" he asked softly.
Isabella opened her mouth, then closed it again. After a couple of seconds she finally spoke.
"Khloé Kardashian… what exactly did she want to 'talk business' about?"
Link blinked, then understood. The Kardashian name carried a certain reputation these days.
He turned toward her, reading the calm mask she was trying to keep in place.
After a beat he answered honestly. "Nothing specific. She just handed me her card, said a few polite words. That's it."
Isabella's lips twitched.
She finally looked him in the eye. "Link, I remember what you told me back in New York—that Kim Kardashian was about to blow up overnight."
Her tone was layered, half teasing, half serious. "Looks like you called that one right."
This year, Kim had exploded into the spotlight thanks to that leaked tape. The whole family had ridden the wave straight into reality TV. Their show was already generating serious buzz.
"I don't know how you predicted it," Isabella continued, "but I do know one thing—"
"Getting tangled up with them is never a good idea."
Her voice sharpened with clear worry. "They're just trying to use you to break into the NBA scene. It'll pull your focus."
Link met her gaze, steady and open.
"I get it. I took the card, but that's all I did. I know where my priorities are."
His straight answer softened the tension in her face.
A moment later she hesitated again, the words coming out with a faint edge of jealousy she probably didn't even realize was there.
"And that little sister… Kendall. She talked to you for a while, huh?"
Link let out a quiet laugh. He could see right through her now.
The girl was only fourteen—still basically a kid—but yeah, she had shown some interest.
"Just a kid being curious," he said gently. "She asked if I thought I could ever be as good as Kobe someday."
"What'd you tell her?" Isabella pressed.
"I said maybe one day." Link smiled. "Then she got this serious little look and told me I better let her know when it actually happens."
Isabella arched an eyebrow.
The "promise" sounded innocent enough—childish, even cute.
But knowing who Kendall would grow up to be made Isabella's stomach do a tiny flip. Not full-blown rivalry, just an instinctive radar ping.
"Sounds like she has a lot of faith in you," Isabella muttered, lips pursed, though her tone had already eased.
Link chuckled and reached over to ruffle her hair. Isabella gave a little huff.
"Link, I'm not trying to control who you talk to," she said, more seriously now. "I just… the entertainment world brings nothing but noise and headaches. I've seen it happen too many times."
The elevator dinged.
Link didn't step out right away. He took her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles, eyes locked on hers.
"My focus is on the court. On winning. On you."
"Everything else? I shut it out. Or I let Andrew handle it."
Isabella stared at him a second longer, then squeezed his hand hard, the last of the tension melting away.
"You better mean that," she said, pretending to sound stern.
"First call after a big win, first person you share anything with—it's me. Not the media. And definitely not some future grown-up with a really good memory."
Link grinned, lacing their fingers together as they stepped into the hallway.
"Deal," he answered without hesitation.
The thick carpet muffled their footsteps. Isabella slipped her arm through his, the tiny storm from the elevator already forgotten.
"Where to?" Link asked.
"I heard the buffet at Wynn is insane. You joked about it during media day, remember?"
They had just reached the lobby when a tall figure stepped out of a side door and nearly walked straight into them.
Kevin Garnett.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star and Western All-Star starting power forward was rocking a gray hoodie, earbuds in, coffee in hand. A guy in a black suit trailed a half-step behind—probably his agent or assistant.
"Hey, KG!" Link called out first.
Garnett stopped, spotted Link, and broke into a big smile. He stepped forward and dapped him up.
"Yo, Link. Solid game tonight, man. First All-Star—how you feeling?"
"Still kinda surreal," Link admitted. "The pace is different from the regular season."
"You'll get used to it," Garnett laughed, flashing those bright teeth against his dark skin. "First year is always special. After that it's just a party—you decide how you wanna play it."
He glanced at Isabella beside Link and winked. "Date night?"
"Grabbing some food," Link said, then made the quick introduction. "This is my girlfriend, Isabella Rodriguez. She's a model for Vogue."
Garnett gave her a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you."
Then his eyes came back to Link. "How's it feel playing in L.A.? Pressure crazy?"
Link thought for a second. "It's intense. Every mistake gets magnified, but the spotlight helps too."
Garnett nodded. "What about Kobe? How's he been?"
"Kobe's… Kobe," Link said with a small smile. "Insanely competitive. He knows exactly how to win and expects everyone around him to keep up."
Garnett let out a low chuckle and shook his head. "Man's a maniac—but he's a winner. Stick with him and you'll either get crushed or forged into steel."
He gave Link a long, appraising look, half admiration, half warning. "Stay hungry, kid. Not everybody gets to wear that Lakers jersey. Cherish it."
He clapped Link on the shoulder, then flashed Isabella a grin. "And your taste is excellent."
Isabella smiled politely. "Thank you, Mr. Garnett."
"KG," he corrected with a wave. He popped his earbuds back in and started walking again. "Catch you later, Link!"
The two of them watched him head off, then looked at each other and laughed softly.
Isabella squeezed Link's arm a little tighter as they stepped back into the bright lights of the Vegas night.
"See?" she teased. "That's the kind of conversation I like."
Link just grinned and pulled her closer. "Buffet's waiting. Let's go."