Page 60 of The Roommate Remodel

I glance at the menu. There’s no way I’m letting her eat a granola bar when we were planning on filet mignon.

Brax:Don’t eat that. Just stay where you are.

I don’t know what Jaz would choose, but then I remember something from a long time ago. So I order two filets, a sweet-and-spicy Thai shrimp dish, creamy pasta with grilled salmon, and more sides than we could possibly eat, just to give her options. I don’t even care what the bill is. I will not let her go hungry because of Alex.

Then I head back to the Ice House offices with four bags that smell like heaven.

If she can’t go out on a date with me, then I will bring the date to her.

Since LeRoy, our facility manager, gave me an extra key so I could use the hot tub and ice bath after hours, it’s coming in conveniently handy for sneaking in.

When I step into the administrative wing, every office is dark except for the light streaming from Jaz’s open door. That’s just like her, leaving her door open so any criminal could walk in.

I knock and then lean against the doorframe, holding up the bags. “Your delivery is here.”

She swivels around in her chair, and her eyes widen as she glances at the bags. “You brought me dinner?”

“Didn’t I say you will not eat that shabby excuse for a dinner?” I nod at the granola bar that’s sitting on her desk.

“With Alex so kindly assigning me all this work, this might be breakfast.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” I arch an eyebrow and set all four bags on her desk.

She opens one and sniffs. “Mmm. Steak.”

I open another sack. “And seafood. You like both.”

She stares at me for a beat. “How did you...?”

“From the wedding. I asked if you liked steak or seafood.”

“And I said both,” she repeats, marveling at the options in front of her. “Thank you.”

I push the food toward her. “Help yourself. It’s really not safe for you to be working here alone. Especially with your door wide open.”

She waves me away. “I’m perfectly fine. LeRoy locks all the doors at night.”

“Yeah, but he also hands out keys behind Alex’s back. Anyone could walk in here.”

“LeRoy gave you a key?” she asks. “I was wondering how you got in.”

“I have a reason to be here after hours. For my shoulder.”

She frowns. “The other guys use the hot tub and ice bath after practice. Why don’t you?”

I busy myself by getting out the food. It’s a convenient excuse,so I don’t have to look at her. “Too crowded after practice,” I mutter, which is true, but not the real reason.

“Wait.” She studies me, then touches my arm. “Are you trying to keep this injury from the other guys?”

I glance away, even though her touch is sending sparks through my body. She’s too quick to figure things out, and I’m a terrible liar.

“It’s a hockey thing. If Coach thinks I’m injured, he won’t play me like the others. You know Leo would rub it in my face.” I try to hide the niggling worry in my stomach. She won’t understand that it could put future contracts in jeopardy. Especially if I’m trying to move up to the NHL.

“But if you tell Leo and the rest of the team, then you don’t have to hide things. Wouldn’t that be easier?”

“Easier, yes. But also risky.” Like this dating thing.

“You never told me what happened,” she says, taking a fork and stabbing it into a shrimp before popping it into her mouth. She closes her eyes as she chews. “By the way, this is delicious.”

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