Chapter 22
LIBBY
When I wake up the next morning, I’m not pressed into Jordan’s back, which is a good thing.
After what he told me last night, I have to be careful about accidentally sleep-cuddling again.
The last thing I want to do is hurt him.
But when I open my eyes, the bed is empty.
I sit up, my heart rate skyrocketing. How could I fall asleep and not even make sure he got home safely last night?
What if he hurt himself and didn’t come back last night?
What if he did get mugged or something? That’s unlikely in Ellie’s upscale, gated neighborhood, but it doesn’t stop me from picturing a gang of thugs attacking him.
My worries are cut short when I catch sight of him sprawled across the couch in our room. The sight is ridiculous. His legs are hanging off one arm of the couch. One of his arms is dangling off the side, the other curled up in his chest, and it can’t be comfortable at all.
“Jordan Atkinson, what are you doing?”
He startles awake. I should feel bad. He can’t have gotten a good night’s rest, cramped on the couch like that. It’s probably guilt talking. He told me he had feelings for me, and despite him being amazing, I told him I don’t have feelings for him.
Well, that I can’t have feelings for him.
There are definitely feelings, but there’s nothing I can do with them.
“Um, sleeping?” he says blearily.
I slap my hands on the puffy blankets in front of me.
“If anyone is going to sleep on the couch because of last night, it will be me. You do not fit. New rule,” I add, because Jordan is good at following rules.
Mostly. I think sometimes his flirting gene is so ingrained he doesn’t even know when he’s doing it.
“Nope,” he says, surprising me. He sits up, rubbing his face and then running his hands through his hair.
He is so hot when he first wakes up, and that’s really not fair.
The way his hair sticks up all over the place is adorable in a sexy way, if that’s possible.
His eyes are lidded as he stares at me, and I have to swallow.
I can so easily picture waking up next to him and having him stare at me with those sleep-glazed eyes.
Is this room hot, or is it just me?
Jordan, would you be interested in a platonic spouses with benefits situation?
I. Am. The. Worst.
“My wife will not be sleeping on the couch when there’s a perfectly good bed,” he says. Then he tilts his head at me in a way I can only describe as sassy and adds, “New rule.”
My wife.
I’m dead.
I never thought such a simple phrase would make heat erupt in my chest like it does.
Would make me want to tell Jordan I don’t care about anything I said last night.
Would drive me to the point that I have to grip the blanket to keep from leaping across the room, planting myself in his lap, and kissing him until I forget everything else.
I tuck a strand of wayward hair behind my ear and grasp for my most professional voice so as not to give away the fact that I can’t stop thinking about making out with him.
“Well, I guess I’d better make some calls and see if we can get into our apartment early, because we seem to be at an impasse. ”
Jordan quirks an eyebrow at me.
This man is sexy without even trying.
“You want the shower first?” he asks dryly.
“You go ahead.” My voice comes out a little high and breathy.
He shakes his head. “Ladies first, please.”
“Fine,” I say, sweeping the blankets off my legs and swinging them off the bed. I enjoy the way Jordan’s gaze snaps right to them, and then away.
Yeah, I really am the worst.
“I’ll take the first shower,” I reply. “As long as you sleep in the bed while I’m in there, husband.” And I’m rewarded by his eyes darkening on me at the word.
I try to feel guilty about how much I enjoy this feeling. I want Jordan to want me. I want him to flirt. I know I’m a terrible person for it, but I can’t help it.
“Fine,” he says, mimicking me. His gaze follows me as I gather things from my bag and head into the bathroom. I thought this vibe between us was dangerous when it was just us pretending. Knowing that it’s real, all of it, even on my side?
Catastrophic.
I flip on the shower and then tap out a text to my sister.
Libby
We need to move lunch to your office today. Is that okay?
Ellie
Yeah…
What’s up?
Libby
I need to talk to you alone. I have something to tell you.
Ellie
I’ll order in.
After a few seconds, she sends another one.
Ellie
Um, sure you don’t want to move some meetings around and do breakfast?
Libby
I’m the newbie here. Can’t be cancelling meetings. You’ll have to wait until lunch.
Ellie
You’re lucky it’s my day to take the girls to gymnastics. I’d be in your room right now.
Libby
That would be awkward. Why do you think the door is locked?
I can’t help poking at my sister, even if I am going to tell her everything in a few hours. I snicker at the emoji she sends of a monkey covering its eyes.
It’s probably for the best that Jordan and I have already scheduled to spend the morning apart.
He’s going to meet with the assistant coaches, talking over game strategies with them and getting their thoughts on how we, as owners, can support them.
I have admin meetings with the department heads on the business side to discuss ways to increase attendance at the games.
Hockey is growing in most major markets, but football and baseball definitely reign supreme in Denver.
Once again, the Being Libby Bennet crew is on site, but since they’re catching chatter between the meetings, it’s not too stressful.
It’s a good distraction to discuss ideas and not think about Jordan all morning.
I bring a few ideas to the table, like giving away tickets and swag at the schools and focusing on creating a family-friendly environment at the arena with cheaper concessions and family deal prices.
The business staff are excited about them and have a few of their own that excite me—having our players spend time in the community to make connections and utilizing my relationship with Ellie to get Devils players at the games.
I text Jordan when I’m in the car on the way to Ellie’s office. It’s so strange to be apart from him when we’ve spent so much time together the last two weeks.
Libby
How was your morning?
I don’t add how I miss him, or how frustrating it is for me to feel this way about him but not be able to do anything about it. I worry that he didn’t understand that last night.
Jordan
It’s been great. The systems are tight. We get the right guys in here, and it’s going to be fire.
I smile down at the phone. Like yesterday, his excitement is addicting. In more ways than one, I got incredibly fortunate that Mrs. Carter introduced me to Jordan that night. He’s the perfect guy for this job.
A little voice says he’s the perfect guy for me too.
I don’t argue.
When I reach Ellie’s office, the girls are there.
They hug me like we didn’t just see each other the night before.
I snuggle them right back. I missed them in the weeks since Ellie and Will moved.
The same way I miss all of Janelle’s kids.
Charlie works in the front office for the Pumas, but Ellie’s right that we should figure out a way to get them and my parents to Denver and basically relocate our whole family.
Someone does have to take over the Pumas’ ownership when my dad retires, though.
It’s been in the Bennet family for generations.
“Are you guys helping Mom at work?” I ask, glancing up at my sister.
“This is our office too, Libby!” Kat declares, pointing to the small table off to one side.
“This is a family business,” Ellie says, gazing at her girls lovingly, and probably remembering the many times we came to the office with Dad.
It’s no accident we’re both drawn to this.
She steps into the hall. “Will!” she calls.
She turns to the girls. “You guys want to go to the park with Daddy for lunch?” she says excitedly.
“Can Libby come with us?” Kat asks.
Emmeline squeals and claps her hands, shouting, “Yes!”
“I have a meeting.” I give them a grimace. “With your mom,” I add under my breath. I widen my eyes, like it’s serious business to have to meet with Ellie. Ellie laughs silently as Will comes into the room.
“Let’s go, my little ladies.” He drops to one knee and holds out his arms. The girls abandon me for him, hopping up into his arms. He lifts them both and stands back up with ease.
That’s when a vision assaults me: Jordan holding kids in his arms, like Will does now. Our kids. Longing zings through me.
I’ve always planned on having a family. I’ve dated and even had serious relationships.
They were all staid guys, more like Will than Charlie.
Guys who didn’t flirt and charm incessantly.
I’ve always assumed I would find some nerdy accountant or engineer who made my heart flutter and who I would be able to trust just because he wasn’t like Grayson.
That sounds so stupid when I think about it.
Trusting some guy because he doesn’t flirt with me?
I never pictured that future so clearly until Jordan.
“Libs?” Ellie’s voice breaks me from the trance. Will and the girls are gone, and I’m staring at the empty cream shag rug where they were. I turn to see my sister eyeing me worriedly. “What’s going on?” she asks.
I draw in a breath and settle my nerves. I’m still anxious to tell Ellie what I did, worried that she’s going to freak out, or worse, call up Mr. Stevens and yell at him. I don my professional persona, even if I am “meeting” with my big sister.
“Before I say anything, you have to promise me that you will not make any calls or berate anyone or do anything that could affect my ownership of the White Wolves in any way.”
Ellie’s eyebrows furrow. “What’s going on?” she repeats.
“Promise me.” I fold my arms and stare her down.