Page 80 of Icy Pucking Play

"Don't." I stand up, needing to move. "Just...don't."

"Fine. But at least tell me you're not really considering meeting with Clark Ellis."

I busy myself organizing papers that don't need organizing.

"Sophie Bennett!"

"He has insights about the team!" I protest weakly. "About the development camp structure, about Ryland's chances..."

"About Evan?"

I flinch. "This isn't about Evan."

"Isn't it?" Brad wheels closer. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're doing that thing you do when you're hurt—trying to fix it with work."

"I'm not…"

"Remember when that guy from accounting ghosted you? You wrote sixteen articles in three days."

"That was different."

"Yeah." His voice softens. "Because this time, you actually care."

My phone buzzes—again—and I don't need to look to know it's another Daniels family member.

"That's the fourth time in an hour," Brad observes. "Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Too bad." He grabs my phone before I can stop him. "Let's see... three texts from Julia. 'Please call me, we can fix this’. Two from Natalia. 'I got an A on my math test! When are you coming over to celebrate?' And...oh, interesting. One from Ryland. 'There's more to the Clark story than you know’."

I snatch my phone back. "That's private."

"Is it? Because it seems like a family trying really hard not to lose you."

"They're notmyfamily!"

The words echo through the quiet office, making several heads pop up over cubicle walls.

"Sorry," I mutter, sinking back into my chair. "I just...I need to focus on work."

"Which is why you're meeting Clark for dinner?"

"It's a business meeting."

"At Giovanni's? At eight p.m.?" He raises an eyebrow. "That's not a business meeting spot. That's a 'let me tell you all the dirt' spot."

Before I can respond, my phone rings. The caller ID shows “Lexi Brookes”.

"Saved by the boss," Brad says, but his eyes are worried. "Just...be careful, okay?"

I wave him off as I answer. "Sophie Bennett."

"I’d like to see you in the office." Lexi's voice is clipped. "Bring the latest draft."

Great. Perfect. Just what I need today.

I gather my papers with shaking hands, trying to remember how to be strong. How to not let personal feelings affect my work.

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