Page 3 of Pucked and Pregnant

“What’s that?”

“They’re not promoting her partner to the senior analyst role.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s exactly what I said when I heard it, too.”

I lift an eyebrow at him. “I’ve never heard you say those two words the entire time I’ve known you.”

“Okay,” he says, holding up his hands. “So I cleaned up the language a little, who cares? The important thing is they’relooking to fill a senior analyst spot in the NHL department, not a junior spot. No need to work your way up when you’re already starting right at the top. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

There’s no such thing as perfect. There’s always a catch.

“Why do you think they’re not promoting her former partner?” I ask.

The answers come all at once and range from plausible to ridiculous.

He’s content where he is.

He has mafia ties, and they’re worried he’ll pass on confidential information.

He picks his nose on camera.

He’s really bad at his job, but he’s a nepo baby, so they can’t fire him.

He has a wife and kids, so he doesn’t want the extra responsibility.

The sheer volume of theories that come pouring out of my coworkers are almost enough for me to wish I hadn’t asked.

I’m getting that overcrowded henhouse feeling again. Part of me wants to cover my ears to block out the sound, but the other part is desperate for any scrap of information.

Theyalwayspromote the partner or a teammate of the person who left. It’s easier than trying to teach someone new all the practices and expectations of whatever specific team they’re covering.

If what Caleb overheard is true, then there’s something really messed up about that guy if he wasn’t promoted.

Caroline’s assertive tone cuts through the chatter. “Olivia, can I see you in my office, please?”

My heart feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest. She’s calling me in to tell me she convinced them to bring me on instead of one of the guys. The dream I’ve had since high school might finally be coming true.

Whoa, girl. Stay rational. This is probably about the report you were working on.

But what if it isn’t?

Girl, breathe.

Everyone is looking at me. I need to make myself move or I’m going to become even more of a spectacle.

As I step through the crowd to Caroline’s office, I hear murmurs of wagers being made.

“Why don’t you have a seat so we can get started?”

Her tone is frustratingly neutral.

“Is this about the analysis for the AHL president? Because I'll have that done by the end of the day and I’ll be creating the presentation tomorrow. Everything is on track there.”

A smile twitches at the corners of her mouth.

“It does connect to what I want to talk to you about but only minimally. As far as the presentation goes, I’m most likely going to be handing it off to Caleb and Garrett.”

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