Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Thank you, I really appreciate it. I’ve already found an office space and hired two people.”
She glances at me, grinning. “That’s amazing!” Returning her gaze to the ice, she slams her hands on the glass as Aiden battles with a Nashville player for the puck. “Fight for it, baby! Don’t let him get away!”
She’s her husband’s biggest fan, and the closer Dane and I get, the more I realize how important it is to me that we have the same kind of relationship.
He believes in me more than anyone ever has. I wish my mom could have met him because he’s exactly the kind of man she always hoped I’d choose for myself.
Jenn slumps back against her seat as Nashville regains control of the puck and all the players head for the other end of the ice.
“Has Dane told you about my brother?” she asks.
“I don’t think so.”
“He’s in real estate. I called him earlier and told him how great you are and he said he’ll hire you.”
The Mammoths’ fans in the crowd cheer as Lucas, the Mammoths’ goalie, saves a goal by blocking the puck with his leg.
“That was nice of you, thanks,” I say. “I’d love to meet with him sometime. Does he sell residential or commercial real estate?”
She looks confused for a second. “Oh, he doesn’t sell real estate. I mean, I guess he does sometimes, but it’s not really him selling it. He owns a bunch of real estate. His business name is Hudson Enterprises. You should look him up.”
I momentarily forget the game just feet away from us. “Jenn. Is your brother Michael Hudson?”
“I call him Mikey, but yup. You’ve heard of him?”
For a few seconds, all I can do is laugh. “Heard of him? He’s one of the most successful business owners in all of Minneapolis. My aunt has been trying to court him away from his current PR firm for years.”
She grins. “Well, he’s yours now. I’ll send you Mikey’s number. He’s a delegator, just so you know. He likes to hire people and have them work independently.”
I side hug her, tears welling in my eyes. “How will I ever thank you for this? Just to get a meeting with him is such an opportunity.”
“You’re my friend, of course I’ll look out for you. You’re going to smash it with this business; I know it.” She jumps up and I join her, returning my focus to the game. “Get it, Dane!”
Dane comes around the net from behind it and he slides the puck in it from the corner, his teammates surrounding him right after he scores a goal.
As he skates away from the net, he looks at me and puts his gloved hand over his heart. I put my palm over my heart, my chest expanding as I fall a little more in love with him.
“That man would crawl through glass for you.” Jenn gives me an impressed look. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“I’m pretty crazy about him, too,” I admit.
For the rest of the game, we laugh and cheer so loud my throat is sore when the Mammoths win 5–4. We eat hot dogs and nachos and each drink a lukewarm, overpriced beer. I didn’t realize how much I was missing time with my best friend, Lina, who is caring for her mom in Texas as she battles cancer.
As Jenn and I wait for the guys to walk out of the locker room after the game, I order Lina some flowers, wine, books and chocolates. I don’t want to be one of those women who neglect friendships because she’s in a relationship. Lina and I talk on the phone when she can, but it’s not often.
I open my schedule and make a note to book myself a flight to visit her and her mom. When I slide my phone into my bag and look up, I lock eyes with Monica.
She’s wearing the exact same jersey I am, with Dane’s number on it. A familiar flare of worry and annoyance flickers through me as a smug smile plays on her lips.
“She could pass for a high school student,” Jenn says from beside me.
At the sound of deep male voices, we turn and see several players dressed in suits walking out of the locker room. One of them is Dane, who locks eyes with me and smiles.
I can’t wait for him to get to me, so I meet him halfway, practically flying into his arms.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he says in my ear.
“Me too. Great game.”
Dane scored two of his team’s five goals tonight, including the game-winning one.
“There was this woman I was trying to impress,” he says playfully.
I lean back and smile up at him. “Lucky girl.”
“I’m not sharing you tonight. If anyone asks us to go out, tell them fuck no.”