Page 59 of On the Power Play

Delia looked down at her hands in her lap. “We had a mutual friend. That night was kind of a blind date.”

“How do I get a friend like that?” Katie adjusted her skirt as the audience laughed. “No, I’m serious, my friends refuse to set me up.”

Ken threw out his hands. “Well, I knew you were both supposed to be here. Everything on this couch happens for a reason. So when Katie is dating a hockey player next week?—”

“Oh, please. If that happens, I’ll be back here thanking you in person.” Katie and Delia laughed.

“Delia, you need to give us something, though. Jack Harrison is on fire with the Blizzard, and you two are all over the news. I’ve never seen anything like it. People are dying for even a morsel of this story, so maybe you can drop a crumb here?”

“A crumb?” Delia was trying not to smile and failing. It was compelling. If Jack didn’t know that they weren’t actually dating, he would’ve been convinced she had stars in her eyes.

“Just a tiny morsel.” Ken sat there grinning, and Delia finally relented.

She waited for the audience to quiet down, and Jack didn’t realize he’d pulled his feet off the table. “I wasn’t planning on saying anything about this tonight, but since you asked . . .” Delia spun a ring on her finger, and Jack could hear the gasps in the audience. Holy hell she was good at milking the moment. “I just found out I’m going to be collaborating with an incredible songwriter who happens to live in Calgary, Ethan Hayes.” The crowd erupted, and Delia waited for them to quiet down before continuing. “And that means I’m going to be relocating there for the next month or so.”

A second explosion of applause. Ken stood up and put out his hands, trying to calm them down. “Does this mean you’ll be in town for the end of the NHL season and the playoffs?”

Delia smiled. “That’s convenient, I guess.”

“You guess?” Ken clapped his hands together. “Sounds like Jack Harrison is one lucky guy. And speaking of guys that everyone wishes they could get lucky with, we’ll be right back with Zack Prior!”

Clara pushed up, and Oscar grunted. “Jack, what is wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell us Delia was moving to Calgary?”

“Umm, probably because I didn’t know.” Delia was moving to Calgary. The phrase ran on repeat as he stared at a commercial for a diabetes pump. Had she known that when she texted earlier? Was that why she wanted him to watch? Jack pulled out his phone and froze when he saw he already had a text from her.

Did you see it yet?

Blood rushed in his ears. Clara was saying something, but he couldn’t focus.

I did. You’re moving here?

Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. Tony made me promise to wait and announce it on the show

He would

I was a little worried. I told him we should’ve asked you first

“Jack? Is everything okay?” Clara leaned toward him.

He nodded. “Fine.”

Why would you need to ask me?

Because I’ll be there in the city. It doesn’t mean we have to hang out more. We can still stick to the contract

Jack’s thumbs hovered over the keyboard. He didn’t know how he wanted to respond to that. Just as he was about to change the topic completely and compliment her on the show, another message popped up.

Unless there are Bond movies and pizza

Chapter Fourteen

Three days later, Delia stepped off the plane to a sleepy airport. Mary was right that flying in the morning made for less ruckus, but she abhorred dragging herself out of bed at four thirty in the morning. Even with a hat and glasses, their off-time strategy hadn't saved her from being recognized—proof that her online presence was exponentially growing. At least she had her new security detail.

Their chaperone in Toronto had been Bryce—basically a member of the King’s Guard. No smiles. All efficiency. He didn't say much in the airport and didn't accompany them on the flight. The company Mary had hired said another security guard would meet them on this end, and they’d kept their promise. A young Vin Diesel look-alike had been waiting for them at the gate and was trailing the two of them to baggage claim.

Delia pulled out her phone and kept her head down with her hat lowered over her eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a bun at the base of her neck to make her even less recognizable.

Did you land safely?

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