Chasing Leo by Michelle Hercules

Author:Michelle Hercules [Hercules, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Infinite Sky Publishing
Published: 2024-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

ELLIE

I’m still shaken after my meeting with Leo last night. It’s like we regressed to the animosity we had when we first met, but now there’s actual trauma and pain in the mix. My heart is bruised and missing the boy I fell in love with.

But I can’t wallow in self-pity. After speaking with Leo, I’m glad I had already asked Mia to book the meeting with Henry Simmons first thing in the morning, and without the assistant GM, Dennis Craig. If Dennis is my great-uncle’s ally, I want to interview him separately.

But the first order of business is to get to know my new assistant better. I’m curious about the young woman.

She’s at her desk, wearing a cute pink tweed cropped jacket with a matching skirt, and a silk blouse with a big bow on the front. It’s professional attire, borderline kawaii. Her colorful hair dye is fading already. Her attention is fixed on her computer screen, and she doesn’t notice me right away.

“Good morning, Mia.”

Startled, she jumps to her feet. “Good morning, Ms. O’Brien.”

“You can call me Ellie. Would you follow me into my office, please?”

“Of course.” Her voice trembles a little, clueing me in that she might be terrified she’ll get fired today.

The first thing I notice is a black pot of orchids wrapped in cellophane and tied with a pink and purple string on my desk. I set my purse next to it and read the card.

Good luck on your first day. Love, Andy.

I smile. Andrew will be the one I’ll miss the most when I make my permanent move to Boston.

“Those are beautiful flowers,” Mia pipes up.

“Yeah. My favorite.” I veer for the state-of-the-art espresso machine on the console table to my right. Grandpa loved his coffee.

“I could have gotten your coffee for you, Ms... I mean, Ellie.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. Do you want something to drink?”

Mia’s eyes bug out. “Oh no. I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Why don’t you have a seat?” I point at the couch.

“Okay.”

When I join her, she’s sitting as stiff as a board, and wriggling her fingers together. “Relax. I’m not going to fire you.”

“You aren’t?”

“Nope.” I give her a reassuring smile.

Her shoulders slump forward as she sighs. “Oh, thank goodness. I was sure today was my last day here.”

“If my grandfather hired you, you must be excellent at your job.”

“I do my best. I love hockey. If I weren’t so short with two left feet, I’d probably play.”

“What do you like most about hockey?”

Please don’t say the players.

“The adrenaline. It’s such an exciting game.”

“How did you end up as my grandfather’s assistant?” I blow on my hot espresso and take a tentative sip.

“I started working in the arena’s food court when I was sixteen. Your grandfather always made a point of talking to all the arena employees whenever he could. He was so kind.”

“That he was,” I say through the lump in my throat.

I’m getting sentimental, hearing Mia talk about Grandpa with such affection. He was a tough man, but he had a soft spot for those he liked.

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