Page 50 of On the Power Play

Delia gave him a skeptical look. “I don’t need to have firsthand experience with a hammer to know it pounds nails.”

Jack leaned on the kitchenette counter, and Delia took in the space. It wasn’t just a regular hotel room, there was a living area and separate bedroom. A T-shirt and possibly a pair of boxers sat rumpled on the couch. "Okay. Maybe I am a little jealous."

"Of which part?"

"Of that." Delia pointed at the clothes. "Of the fact that you had no hesitation inviting someone over to your hotel room even though you knew it wasn't perfectly clean."

"It needs to be clean?" Jack took a step toward the couch, but Delia stopped him.

"No, it doesn't need to be clean. That's the point.” She took off her coat and dropped it next to his. “But I'd have thought about it for a solid few minutes, trying to figure out whether it would make me look like a slob if someone else saw my clothes out. Then I'd worry about what we'd do once we got there and how I could be a good host so whoever I was inviting wouldn't be bored, or worse, think I was boring.

“I would’ve thought about snacks, whether it smelled funny, or if it was a guy I was interested in, all of that would be multiplied by ten because I'd also be wondering what his expectations were or whether he'd find me attractive—" Delia stopped, realizing Jack hadn’t moved. She bit her lip. "You just get to give out hotel invitations willy-nilly. And get asked in an elevator if you want to sleep with flexible girls. So. That was all information you probably never wanted to know."

Jack shifted on his feet. "You go through all of that anytime you invite someone over?"

Delia swallowed. "Yeah. So that's what I'm jealous of. It would be really nice to only think,'Of course he's into me, why wouldn't he be?' or 'My house is great as it is, take it or leave it.'"

Jack considered her for a moment, then strode forward. His arm brushed hers as he passed, and the hairs there stood at attention. "It's not that we don't worry, or at least I do. We've just had a lot of practise pretending like nothing ruffles us. It's necessary on the ice. And in the dressing room." He picked up his boxers and shirt and tossed them through the open door to his bedroom.

"You didn't need to do that."

Jack sat down on the couch. "Just give me a sec. I'm thinking of options for how to keep you from getting bored."

Delia groaned. "And I'm never going to let my inside thoughts out again."

“Doubtful. I’m at three for three.” Delia’s cheeks warmed. He’d been counting? Jack looked up. “I'm kidding. I like your inside thoughts."

“I don’t think our contract stipulates you have to lie to protect my feelings.”

A smile spread across Jack’s lips, and it was like the sun peeked out through the clouds. Had she noticed how long and thick his lashes were? Had she seen those smile lines at the corners of his eyes?

He looked away and grabbed the remote. “I already had a boredom plan, by the way.”

"Which was?"

"We go down to the concierge lounge and get snacks and then watch a movie." Delia winced, and Jack held up a hand. "I have an extra toothbrush in the washroom. I forgot mine, and when I phoned the front desk last night, they sent up two."

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. How had he known what she was thinking? Her mind buzzed with an explanation. She'd talked about it when they'd eaten together in Calgary, but hadn’t said anything that morning, had she? "You must think I'm crazy."

"A little. But I'm the one who rubs his hockey stick three times on both sides before a game, so . . ."

"Is that a euphemism?"

Jack laughed and stood. "Let's go make your teeth fuzzy."

_____

Delia popped a mini quiche into her mouth and pulled the blanket higher on her legs. "This is so classic. Every Bond girl is like that, and you know she's going to die. Like, how did the Hero's Journey even become popular? It's all about some macho guy losing everything he's ever loved and being so strong he can live a life of isolation and sadness. How is that a fun story?"

Jack broke a chocolate chip cookie in half. "Probably because he saved the world. It's the price he has to pay."

"So he can't save the world and have a healthy relationship?"

"They kill anyone he’s with, so why waste time on a relationship?"

Delia scoffed. "So you think he knows those women are going to die? He just has to hurry and bang them first?"

Jack shrugged. "I mean, saving the world is stressful. Gotta blow off some steam. Plus, if you knew you were about to die, wouldn’t you like to go out with a bang?"

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