CHAPTER THREE
Jordan
As Jordan exited the kitchen, she noticed him out of the corner of her eye, sitting at his usual table. Table eighteen was basically reserved every day for Noah. He’d been here almost every day since he’d returned to Pittsburgh for the new season.
He’d been traded to the Renegades in the middle of last season, and his reputation preceded him. He apparently had a way with the ladies. Noah was about as handsome as they came, and he knew it.
Normally, Jordan didn’t go for guys like that. It wasn’t worth her time to feed some guy’s ego. And she wasn’t looking for a relationship.
But there was something about Noah’s large, muscular stature, handsome face, and the confident way he carried himself that gave her butterflies. Not to mention the deep brown eyes, and the knowing smirk that caused her heartrate to pick up. Even if she didn’t want any of that.
She wasn’t anyone’s notch on their bedpost. Especially his.
“I see our favorite patron is enjoying his lunch,” Talia said, as she crossed the room to meet her.
Jordan nodded. But today Noah was sitting with Harrison Dash, and they appeared deep in discussion.
Noah ate one meal here every single day when the team wasn’t out of town. If her memory served her right, he had done so since the very day he’d arrived in Pittsburgh last season.
And last night was the first time she had ever dreamt about him. She’d woke up right before he moved in for a kiss. The thought of kissing Noah made her nervous. Nervous because she woke up disappointed that the dream was over, and nervous because her focus should be on her job. She didn’t need a playboy distracting her.
Even if he was drop-dead gorgeous.
As she was pushing her feelings about Noah behind closed doors, a young woman circled his table before advancing. Jordan rolled her eyes at yet another puck bunny making her move.
“Don’t roll your eyes like that, Jordan,” Talia fussed, as she walked towards table eighteen. “He likes the tomato soup,” Talia said.
“No one comes to a four-star restaurant for tomato soup,” Jordan countered. “You can buy cans of it at the grocery store.”
If Noah Rodgers wasn’t a bachelor living in a hotel room by the arena, she would think he was creeping on her. But then again, there was nothing creepy about Noah Rodgers. Jordan didn’t realize she was still staring, until Noah glanced in her direction and then turned the young lady away.
“Our tomato soup is prepared by a culinary magician,” Talia argued. “You can’t get that from a can.”
Jordan stopped herself from rolling her eyes again. Talia wasn’t wrong about Chef Tony; he was an amazing chef. And canned tomato soup had nothing on Tony’s homemade tomato soup.
As if he had heard their conversation, Noah looked up and nodded once to her.
Flustered, Jordan turned on her heel and hurried to the bar. “Marco, can I get a water, please?” She needed a break. As she took a sip, her phone buzzed. “Marco, I’ll be in the office if Talia needs me.”
She answered her phone as she walked quickly down the hall towards the office. “Donna?”
“Hey sis, how are things in Pittsburgh?”
Jordan sat down at her desk. “Nothing new to report. Just loving life!”
“I guess that means working a lot?”
“You know I love my job.” Jordan sat back in her chair, taking a minute to relax.
“Most people say that sarcastically. Not you. You genuinely love your job. I think you’re the only person I know who does!”
“What can I say? I love working for Talia. How are things out your way?”
“That’s kind of why I’m calling,” Donna said.
Sitting straight up in her chair, Jordan spoke very quickly. “Is everything okay? Levi?”
“He’s fine, we’re fine. But Levi is why I am calling. Your nephew has a favor to ask of you.”
“Okay…” she responded. She relaxed back in the chair. “My little dude knows I’d do anything for him.”
“Your little dude is growing like a weed! And your undying loyalty to him is what he’s counting on,” Donna said with a laugh. “Levi has really gotten into hockey lately.”
“Yeah, Mom said he played dek hockey all summer and that he’s pretty good. I meant to get to some of his games, but the restaurant has been so busy. I knew he’d been following the Renegades last season.”
“Yep, once he realized you worked for Harrison Dash’s wife!” Donna chuckled. “He started ice hockey last month. When I can actually pry him away from the rink, he spends his time on roller blades. And I swear he lives in his Renegades jersey!”
“Oh, I bet they love that in Ohio!” She could only imagine.
“Glad you’re amused, because your little dude would like to know if you could introduce him to Harrison Dash. I’m sure he really wants to meet Tyler Kidd, but he’s smart enough to angle for the best possible outcome, and since you work for Talia Dash…”
Jordan pondered the ask. Imposing on Talia because she was her friend seemed so icky.
“Sis? Hello? Did I lose you?”
“No, I’m here. I guess I could ask.”
“I won’t say anything to Levi until I hear from you. If the answer is no, that’s fine. No harm done.” Donna paused, as Levi’s voice filtered in to the phone.
“Is that Aunt Jordan? Hi Aunt Jordan! Dad just bought me a new hockey stick! You should see this thing, it’s a beauty!” Levi’s voice disappeared, then Donna’s voice was muffled. “Bill, you bought him a new stick?”
Donna returned to the phone conversation. “I swear, every time I turn around the kid needs something new for hockey. Apparently, he had a growth spurt and was getting too tall for the stick he’d been playing with, so Bill says anyway.”
“I always heard it was an expensive sport.”
“I can tell you it’s the truth! Back to what we were talking about. So you’ll ask?”
“No promises, but I’ll ask,” Jordan said with a grin. She missed so much of her sister’s family, living an hour away. If she could do this one little thing for her nephew, she would. “I’ll get back to you soon, Donna. Give Levi a kiss for me!”
She hung up, just as Talia entered the office. “Your sister?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“How’s your family doing?” Talia sat down in one of the chairs.
“They are good, thanks for asking. Levi is really into hockey now. I’m feeling a little guilty, because I haven’t been to one of his games yet. I need to make some time to do that soon.” She eyed Talia cautiously. She hated asking any favors that took advantage of the fact that she and Harrison were her friends and just happened to be part of the Renegades.
“Is he a Renegades fan?” Talia perked up.
“He is. And he wanted me to ask if there is any way he can meet Harrison.” Jordan winced. “I know it’s a lot to ask, and I hate to ask, but I’d do anything for him, even humiliate myself like I am right now. Please don’t feel like you have to say yes. I’m imposing. I’ll just buy him tickets to a Renegades game.”
“Oh Jordan, please don’t feel like you’re imposing. It really isn’t a huge ask. And I think it’s so cool that he’s getting into hockey.”
“Did I hear someone is getting into hockey?” Harrison asked, as he entered the office.
Talia smiled. “Jordan’s nephew.”
“How old is he?” Harrison entered the office.
“Levi is nine.”
“And I hear he’s a Renegades fan?”
She nodded. “Yes. He became interested in hockey last season. He played dek hockey all summer and just started ice hockey.”
“Smart kid,” Harrison said.
“Why? Because he chose hockey?” Talia asked with a laugh.
“Obviously.”
“I’m glad you’re impressed, babe,” said Talia. “Because Levi, the smart Renegades hockey fan, would like to meet some of the guys. Think you can make that happen?”
“Oh no, Talia, I only asked if he could meet Harrison,” Jordan corrected, slightly panicked at the large ask Talia was proposing. “They could just bring him here, if Harrison was going to be around for a quick photo or autograph or something.”
“Don’t be silly. Harrison can get at least a few of the guys together, right, babe?” Talia said, fluttering her eyelashes at her husband.
“I think I can arrange that. Jordan, let me get back to you.”
“Oh, Harrison, you don’t have to do this.” She waved him off. “I only promised that I would ask, not anything more. Please don’t feel like you have to say yes.”
“Jordan, you’re family. Not only The Sin Bin family, but our family,” Harrison said with a grin. “Does he have a favorite player?”
“You of course, and he pretends he’s Tyler Kidd when he’s playing in the driveway. But I’m sure he’ll be happy with any of the guys.”
Harrison grinned. “Let me see what I can do.”
Talia kissed her husband on the cheek. “Best husband ever.”
They walked back to the dining room, and Jordan noted that Noah was still there. Moving in the opposite direction, she did her best to keep her distance.
“What’s going on with you two?” Talia asked. “It seems like the harder he tries to be nice, the colder you get to him.”
“He’s just…” She couldn’t tell Talia that he had offered her a job. Nausea hit her stomach at the thought of it. “He’s very cocky. Coming in here so often, and… well, you know.”
“What? He comes in here and eats. He’s quiet and polite to everyone, and he leaves huge tips for the servers. Oh, and he smiles at you adoringly. You’re right, he’s a horrible person,” Talia mocked.
“I wouldn’t say adoringly.”
“Whatever you say.” Talia laughed. “Trust me, he’s a good guy.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“Harrison knows him better than I do, but I trust my husband’s judgement. Do you think I’d invite him over to dinner so often if he was dreadful?”
“What about his reputation when he was in Nashville? A good guy doesn’t have a bad rep.”
Talia sighed. “People can change, you know.”
Good guy or not, her heart was not available, no matter how much his smile made her insides flutter. He wasn’t scoring any points by trying to recruit her for his new bar, either.
Even if it would be a promotion. And the next logical step in her career.