Pucking Disaster: A Hockey Romance by Charlotte Byrd

Author:Charlotte Byrd [Byrd, Charlotte]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Byrd Books, LLC
Published: 2023-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

19

HARLOW

There is definitely something to be said for this weather.

What was chilly last night has turned pleasantly warm this afternoon. There’s a breeze coming off the water beyond the restaurant’s patio. It’s absolutely delicious, and I smile to myself every time it stirs the fine hairs that didn’t quite make it into my ponytail. What a stroke of good luck that it happens to be bright and sunny today, because I could use a little time out in the sun, soaking up some vitamin D while picking at a salad and racking my brain over the different holes we’ll have to fill, depending on which players get a contract.

As I work, I can’t help but think of a game on my phone. You move different blocks around to make space to allow a specific block to move out of the enclosure. It’s all a matter of logic, looking ahead, imagining what each move will result in and how to work through that. Here I am, playing that game in real life, only with actual stakes.

But I like things like this. To be challenged, to stretch my limits. I guess that could be why I went for my doctorate in the first place. I could’ve gotten a perfectly good job with my masters, but I wanted more. I wanted to challenge myself.

Laughter draws my attention from the notes in front of me, and for a while, it’s enough to watch a group of kids running around and playing tag, or something like it. A few people jog past on the path bordering the water, while others walk their dogs and chat happily.

I’m lucky, and it’s times like this that drive the fact home. I get to sit here in the sunshine while I work. I get to solve problems on my time, wherever I want to work. How many people can say the same? When I look at it that way, it makes my petty problems seem insignificant.

“Hey there.”

Speaking of petty problems. I shield my eyes with one hand, looking up at the sound of that voice. I already knew who it was – there’s no mistaking the humor in it. It’s like he’s always in on a joke nobody else is aware of.

“Mind if I join you?” Soren gestures to the other side of the table I’m seated at.

“Be my guest.” Right away I flip my notes over, but of course he catches me doing it.

“Working on a secret project?” He settles in wearing a smirk, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, the picture of relaxation.

“You’re all finished for the day?”

“You were in there. You saw how hard they were working us.” He runs a hand through his damp, freshly-washed hair. “Yeah, we’re all through for the day. Bright and early tomorrow, of course.”

“How do you think it went?”

“Fine.”

“That’s good.”

That’s good? This is so stupid. It’s like we’ve never met. Clearly, there is a lot hanging between us – and I’m afraid to open the can of worms. For all I know, it’s a can of worms he’s completely unaware of.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.