Page 80 of Wilder

Wilder could understand that. He just hoped that it didn’t affect her mentally. Working with people one didn’t like could be a strain.

“Do you need to connect emotionally to skate together?”

“For sure it’s better if you can connect that way, but there have been times we’ve skated while being annoyed with each other. We’re not perfect, but the show has to go on, regardless of where we might be in our relationship as pairs skaters.”

Wilder wanted to ask if she thought she’d get back together personally with Mik instead of just professionally, but he also wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

“Do you think your mom will come around?”

“Well, that depends on your definition of coming around. She won’t ever have anything to do with Mik or the Ivanovs, but she and I will be fine.”

“Will she come to visit?”

“She might. And though I’d love to see her, I’m not sure I want her to come while Mik and Irina are here.”

“Does she go to your competitions?”

Lexi shook her head. “She can’t handle being there in person, though she does watch from home.”

“Did your dad go?”

A fleeting emotion crossed her face. “Yes. He was always there.”

Wilder realized that she’d be competing for the first time without him. That would probably be a difficult thing for her.

“Is it hard to get tickets to the competitions?”

Lexi gave a huff of laughter. “I have no idea. I’ve never had to buy one. My dad always bought his own tickets. Or had his assistant get them for him.”

The phone on Lexi’s desk rang, and she stared at it for a moment before picking up the receiver. “Hello?”

After listening to whoever was on the other end, she said, “I’ll be right there.”

Hanging up, she gazed down at the remainder of her salad with a rueful look. “Guess this will have to wait.”

“Make sure you eat it later,” Wilder said. “You’re going to need to keep your strength up.”

She gave him a quick smile. “I will. Thank you for getting it for me.”

“Anytime.” He closed the lid on his own food and got to his feet. “I’ll see you later.”

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and left the office, heading in the direction of the skate rental. Wilder put his jacket back on, then picked up his takeout container and walked out of the office. He paused to observe everyone there before he went to the exit and left the rink.

What was he doing?

For the first time, Wilder had to admit that the time he spent with Lexi was more than just a guy hanging out with a friend who happened to be a girl. Lexi had started out as a mystery that he’d been interested in unraveling. And he’d thought she needed a friend.

Now, though, he’d gotten a glimpse behind the walls she’d erected, and he’d discovered a woman with passion, humor, and a strength that had allowed her to walk through the fire of her father’s making. She’d come out on the other side singed, but not burned beyond recognition.

She had a physical and inner strength that he could only admire.

But his life wasn’t really suited for a person like her. He’d always thought that any woman he got serious about would be someone who could embrace the nomadic lifestyle with him. She’d have to have a job she could do from anywhere.

That was definitely not the case with Lexi. She was firmly stuck to the ice. Even if she didn’t choose to continue to compete, she would want to coach, which she also couldn’t do remotely.

Wilder had never bothered to try to cultivate something with women who wouldn’t fit into the life he’d chosen for himself, and regardless of his developing feelings, he wasn’t sure that now was the time to change that practice.

His thoughts went to Miriam, who worked with her parents in the orphanage. Her commitment to the kids at the orphanage had been something Wilder admired, but it had also been what kept him from pursuing a closer friendship with her. Her life was firmly rooted in the orphanage in Thailand.

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