Page 95 of Pucking the Team

Selena gives me a playful swat on the butt, and I can’t help but laugh as I retreat to the dressing room. She always knows just what to say to snap me out of my funks.

I strip down and slip the cool fabric over my shoulders. As I turn to look in the mirror, a smile spreads across my face.

The cornflower shade makes my blue eyes pop, and the cut hugs my figure in all the right places. I feel confident for the first time in days.

Just as I’m doing a little twirl, admiring myself from all angles, my cell phone starts buzzing from my purse.

Unknown number.

My stomach clenches. Could it be news about my job? I grab for the phone with shaking hands and hit answer.

“Hello, this is Emma.” My voice quivers despite my attempt at sounding calm and professional.

“Hi, Emma, this is Monique from Vincent Dale’s office,” a polite female voice responds.

My pulse rushes at the name. Vincent Dale, the Blizzards’ general manager. A man I haven’t spoken to directly since I was a little girl visiting Dad at work, who I’ve been dodging the entire time I worked under his organization.

What could he possibly want with me now, after everything that’s happened?

Monique continues in a warm but businesslike tone. “Mr. Dale would like to meet with you this afternoon to discuss an important matter. Would 3 p.m. at his office work for your schedule?”

“Y-yes, of course. I’ll be there,” I stammer, my mind racing with possibilities both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Monique confirms the details and we say our goodbyes. I stand there in the dressing room, still clutching the phone, as a tsunami of emotions crashes over me.

A soft knock at the door jolts me back to the present. “Everything okay in there, babe?” Selena calls out. “You’ve been quiet for a while.”

I open the door, and Selena’s eyes widen as she takes in my appearance. “Damn girl, that dress was made for you! But wait, what’s with the face? Who was on the phone?”

I take a shaky breath. “That was Vincent Dale’s assistant. He wants to meet with me. Today.”

Selena’s perfectly shaped brows shoot up. “The head honcho? Holy shit, Em!”

I nod, chewing on my bottom lip. “What do you think it could be about? You don’t think…” I trail off, hardly daring to voice the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head.

Could the guys have found a way to clear my name? Is Vincent going to apologize and give me my job back?

Or…or what if it’s the opposite? What if the guys are in trouble too, and they’re bringing me in to grill me about our relationship?

The room starts to spin, and I grab Selena for support. She guides me to the velvet bench and rubs soothing circles on my back.

“Hey, hey, breathe, Em. We can’t jump to conclusions,” Selena says gently. “Vincent asked to meet with you in person. If it was bad news, he’d have just had Monique tell you over the phone, right?”

I exhale slowly and nod. Selena’s right—I need to stay calm and not assume the worst. For all I know, this meeting could change everything.

A few hours later, I find myself standing outside Vincent’s office, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I bought the blue dress, hoping it would serve as a good luck charm, and now I smooth my sweaty palms over the silky fabric.

I take a deep, steadying breath and knock on the heavy wooden door.

“Come in,” Vincent’s deep voice calls from within.

As I step in, Vincent rises from behind his mahogany desk, a warm smile on his chiseled face. “Emma, thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, have a seat.”

I sink into the plush leather chair, my nerves on high alert. Vincent leans forward, his elbows resting on the desk, and fixes me with an intense gaze.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize for the way you were treated,” he begins, his tone sincere. “What happened to you was unfair and unacceptable. Your dismissal was unjustified, and I’m deeply sorry for the distress it has caused you.”

My eyes widen as I process his words. An apology? I lean in, hanging on his every word.

---