Page 19 of Sven

Natalie straightened her shirt as she got out of the car before she pulled her coat tightly around her. She would never get used to how cold it was. Whose brilliant idea was it to move to New York in Winter? She quickly walked into the Magic Center.

“How can I help you?” asked the receptionist.

“I’m here to see Hillary.”

“One moment please,” said the woman with a professional smile.

Natalie took in the place. It was nice. She walked over to the big team picture and looked at them. While she wasn’t sure what she was qualified to do here, it certainly would be nice to work around all these handsome men. One of the players with blonde hair and a million-dollar smile kept drawing her eye.

“Natalie?”

She turned to see a woman who looked just like Sydney but slightly shorter and rounder approaching her. “Hi, it’s nice to see you again.” She reached her hand out.

“It’s been too long. Thank you for meeting with me.” She took her hand in a firm handshake.

“Let’s head into my office,” she said as she turned and guided Natalie down the hall. “It’s quiet here today because the players are just about to head out of town. They were in for morning skate, but they are mostly home, resting up for the game. Game days are usually quiet around here except for some of the offices.”

Natalie just nodded and took in her surroundings as they walked to Hillary’s office. The walls were decorated with splashes of teal and purple. A huge mural of Glendale and Mr. Wizard, the team’s mascot, adorned one side of the wall and offices on the other.

“I’m right here,” Hillary said, guiding her into the office. “Have a seat.”

Natalie sat across from Hillary. Nerves filled her as she took in the nice office. This did feel like a job interview, though, so she was being as professional as possible.

“So, first off, how have you been? I don’t think I’ve seen you for a while.”

She took a deep breath.How have I been?“I’ve been good. How about yourself?”

“Good,” she said as her phone buzzed on her desk. She ignored it. “So, I thought you were a teacher?”

Natalie nodded slowly. “Yeah, I was.”

The phone buzzed again on Hillary’s desk. “I’m sorry about that.”

“I think I’m just looking for a little something different.”

“Okay, so I’m not sure what Sydney told you, but I’m head of PR for the organization. Sadly, I’m pretty sure Sasha just filledan open position on our own team a few weeks ago, but I think there are some openings elsewhere. Let me look. It looks like there is a hospitality position that would be helping to keep the players’ lounge, going and washing towels, stuff like that.”

Natalie nodded.

That might not be terrible. She might be able to meet some of those handsome hockey players she saw in the photo in the lobby.

Hillary’s phone buzzed on her desk again.

“I’m sorry. I think I’m going to take this.” She picked up and stepped out into the hallway.

After a few minutes, Hillary came back in, looking frazzled. “I’m so sorry about that. Let me ask you something. You taught kindergarten, right?”

“Yes, I did. I taught for two and half years.”

“So, you like kids?”

Natalie chuckled. “Yes, I do.”

“How do you feel about babies?”

“I feel like they are precious little nuggets, and I want to pinch their cheeks. Why?”

Hillary laughed. “I think there might be a nanny position open for one of the players. How would you feel about that?”

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