Chapter 10 #2
Definitely romantic, I think with a snort of laughter. I can’t complain about being labeled a hockey star. That never happened to me when I was playing.
I flick past it and then scroll. It’s astonishing how many pictures of us are coming up.
It’s only going to get worse when there’s an official announcement from Libby about our elopement.
I groan and toss my phone on the couch. I’m bored and beginning to feel like a kept man.
Libby is at her office. We have a couple weeks before we head to Denver for some meetings with her new staff.
There are things I could be doing for the Redhaven Foundation, but to be honest, I’m avoiding my sister until I have to see her at dinner tomorrow night with my parents.
I’ve done what work I can here, from my laptop, that doesn’t require me talking to her.
I haven’t heard from her for a few days either, so I might be getting payback for ghosting her and not telling her before I ran off to Hawaii with Libby.
I could always watch Denver White Wolves film to study up on the team.
The start of the season is in a couple months, and any changes she wants to make need to happen right away.
I check my watch and realize Libby’s going to be home from work soon. Perfect. I can start dinner. That will keep me occupied until she gets here.
I’m stirring the chicken noodle soup with roasted garlic when I hear Libby coming in.
“Oh, heavens,” she says. “What is that amazing smell?” She rounds the wall that separates the entry area from the living room and kitchen. “I am not paying you enough,” she says, a smile blooming. “Personal chef was not on your résumé.”
“You’re paying me plenty,” I assure her.
She arches an eyebrow. “I’m not talking about that ten million.”
“My salary is more than fair. Dinner is ready whenever you are.” I reach into the cupboard to pull out bowls.
“I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.” Her heels click across the living room to the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. I can’t help but watch her. More and more she has me mesmerized. Sharing this space with her means that my attraction for her grows every day.
She turns before slipping into her bedroom, catching me staring at her. I quickly whirl around to dish out soup and bring it to the table. Busted.
She comes back a few minutes later. She’s changed from her wide-leg dress pants and button-up top into a pair of leggings and a different Pumas hoodie than the one she wore in Maui.
At least this one doesn’t have another guy’s name across the back, even if he is happily married.
I need to get her some Houston Outlaws gear, stat.
Or maybe we both need to stock up on White Wolves stuff when we get to Denver.
I can’t help but want to see her wearing a hoodie from my team, the Outlaws.
Maybe I’ll give her one of my hoodies.
I banish the thought quickly. Thinking of her wearing my clothes is not good. And definitely against her rules.
I hold out a chair for her as she crosses the room to the dining table. She pauses, putting a hand on her hip. “Flag on the play, Atkinson. No flirting in private.”
I look down at the chair and back at her. “No flirting here, Bennet. Just being a gentleman like my mama taught me.”
She narrows her eyes. “Fine. I’ll let this slide, but it’s a fine line.”
I bite back a smile. “Noted.” I help her scoot it in, ignore the little huff she gives (especially since her cheeks are pink), and take my seat across the table from her.
She’s staring at me when I look up. “What?” I ask. Does she want to say grace?
“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “You sat across from me and not next to me. I always tease my sister Ellie because she and Will sit on the same side of the table or booth when they’re out, and even at home. It’s so cringey.”
The thought of sitting next to Libby, our legs touching, shoulders brushing, sounds very appealing. I disagree. It’s far from cringey that my new in-laws do this. I’m jealous.
“Well.” I clear my throat. “Next time I’m out with you, I’m going to be sure to sit next to you and put my arm around you.”
She meets my gaze, eyes bright, and I wonder—hope—that she’s considering the same things I am. Libby holds her heart behind a tightly guarded gate. I want to convince her it’s safe to trust me with the key.
She blinks and then gives a faux long-suffering sigh. “I guess we’ll have to. If that’s what cringey couples do.”
“If I sat across from you, I could slide my foot under the table and—”
“Careful of that line, Atkinson,” she says quickly, and maybe a little breathlessly.
I chuckle. “Just strategizing.”
“Hmm.”
We eat in silence for a few moments before I ask her how work was.
“Good.” She gives me a genuine smile. “A client won a civil suit against her attacker. The evidence we uncovered in it might mean the district attorney can take it to trial.”
Though she’s speaking in celebration, of a win that she got for her client, her words are still sobering to me. It’s a reminder of why security is so tight around her heart. The things she sees—they must make it almost impossible to trust.
“That’s great. We should celebrate. We haven’t been out since we got back from Maui.” I take another bite of my soup while I wait for her to reply.
She cringes but then smooths it out. “Yeah, we probably should.”
I quickly give her an out. “Or we can stay home. That way you don’t have to spend your celebration ‘working,’ just in another sense.”
She nods slowly. “There is some other work we need to get started on sooner or later that might be fun to talk about, especially for you. We need to be thinking about the moves we want to make once the papers are signed this week. Season starts in October.”
I grin. “Talking hockey will always be a good time for me. Sure you don’t want to just chill?” I ask.
“I’m sure,” she says. “Today was a good day, but it still reminds me that my client doesn’t have justice yet.
Her attacker is free. We won in court, but she has to go home and worry about her safety.
” She gives a shrug, even though it’s clear that this weighs heavily on her.
“Talking about hockey will distract me.”
“Then I’m happy to help.” I finish up my soup, and Libby does in a few minutes as well. I gather our dishes. “Why don’t you rest for a minute while I clean up, and then we can discuss some ideas I’ve had?”
“You cooked. I can help clean up.” She follows me into the kitchen. “We’ll chat while we work together.”
I can tell by the wariness in her eyes that she’s had a long day.
I want to insist that she go relax on the sofa in the living room and let me do dishes.
She bustles past me before I can order her to the couch, and she turns on the faucet to rinse the dishes.
She’s obviously determined, so I get to work beside her.
“Ideas?” She glances up at me as she loads our bowls into the dishwasher.
I start wiping down the counter as I answer.
“I’ve been watching the White Wolves team film from last season and looking over the current roster.
I think our first priority is a strong center, someone who can go hard on defense, maybe even harder, than he does on offense.
Someone who’s not chasing points all the time.
I think it’s also a good idea to get more versatile with our defensemen.
Guys who can transition well and guys who are shut down—”
I look up to see Libby staring at me with raised eyebrows. “Um. We’re gonna need some Hockey 101 for me to understand anything you just said.”
I put both hands on the counter, facing her with a grin. “Libby Bennet, it’s time to watch some hockey.”