Page 19 of A Whole New Trick

“I live here,” Eli answers. The pair arrive in the kitchen, but their attention remains on each other. “I’m actually hoping to get an invitation to the Ranchers’ training camp this summer to try out for the team.”

“That’s exciting. Have you played in the NHL before?”

“No, but I played in college.”

“Where?”

“Wisconsin, much to my older brother’s disapproval.”

I snort. “I didn’t give a damn where you played.”

Their eyes finally turn towards me. I focus on my brother, but I feel Morgan’s stare like flames licking the stubble on my cheeks.

My brother grins. “I know. I’m just joking. It was Dad who despised my choice of school.” His lighthearted expression dims at the mention of our father, but it brightens once more when he turns to Morgan.

“Right now, I’m training to make sure I’m ready, but I’m also working as a manny to get some extra cash so I don’t have to freeload off my successful brother.”

I’ve told Eli more times than I can count that I have no issue with him staying with me and helping him get on his feet. But Eli is proud. He wants to make his own way. It’s respectable, but the big brother in me wishes he’d just let me help him out while he focuses on his goals.

“Wait…” Realization floods Morgan’s beautiful expression. “You work for Carter Jones, don’t you?”

“How’d you know?”

“Carter’s sister is my best friend.” She smiles at my brother. The sight robs me of breath. I remind myself to breathe before she notices.

“No way?” Eli shoots me a glance. “What a small world.”

“Yeah.” Morgan looks my way, too. She licks her lips and then averts her gaze. “Mind if I look in your fridge and pantry to make a quick list of groceries you’ll need for meals this week?”

“Sure,” my voice comes out lower than I intended. I clear my throat and wave a hand around the gourmet kitchen that’s lost on someone with my cooking skills. “Knock yourself out.”

Morgan dips her chin. “Thanks.”

She sets her phone and keys on the island and takes the notepad over to the pantry door that’s already open. She turns on the light and slides a pen out from between the pages as she looks at the items on the shelves. She begins to make notes.

I try not to stare at her as she works, but just like every time I’m around her, it’s impossible. There’s something magnetic about Morgan’s presence, and it goes beyond her physical appearance. Though, that’s what drew me to her in the first place.

But what really piqued my interest in Morgan was hearing Carter talk about her.

Carter told me about Morgan’s drive and how he felt bad that she was struggling to find a job. He confessed that he offered to help her by making introductions with people he knew on various sports teams, but she refused. Morgan insisted on making it on her own. Kind of like Eli wants to do.

I’d felt respect for the beautiful woman I’d never spoken to. So, when I saw her at the club that night, I refused to let the opportunity to meet her pass me by. I gave in to the pull, drawing me to her.

Apparently, that was a mistake. One I’m suffering the consequences of as I stand here, admiring her lean, fit figure, hiding the evidence of how attracted I am to her by adjusting my shorts.

“You have a lot of processed snacks.” Morgan glances over her shoulder. My gaze snaps up to hers before she realizes I’d been admiring her legs.

“You think?”

She huffs and tucks her notepad under her arm, then starts to take out two boxes. She holds them up in demonstration. “Fruit snacks and cheese crackers.” She lifts a brow.

I shrug. “They’re good.”

She returns the boxes and retrieves two more items. “Nacho cheese chips and marshmallow cereal?”

“They’re good, too.”

Beside me, Eli chuckles. He muffles the sound when Morgan’s disapproving glare lands on him before sliding back to me.

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