Page 79 of Blind Luck

“I’m so happy you found someone after…” Kelsey glanced at Erin. “After…never mind.”

“Erin knows about Florence.”

“I try not to gossip but…”

“But everybody talks. I get it.”

“Can you tell us your side of the story?” I asked Kelsey, eager to break the awkward silence that had descended like a veil. She had to have more information, even if she didn’t know it yet.

“There’s not much to tell. Jace Fuller contacted the firm I work for about designing a new golf complex at the Neptune—the course, the clubhouse, plus ancillary facilities. They want luxury suites overlooking the fairway, an outdoor stage, tennis courts, the works. I’ve worked on sporting facilities in the past, so I was given the opportunity to lead the project.”

“But you said you had reservations?”

“At first I was excited, but then I had an initial meeting with Jace and Jackson Fuller. Jace acts charming, but he gives off bad vibes, you know?”

“How about Jackson?”

“He’s arrogant, kinda cold, but not creepy the way his brother is. Plus Jackson isn’t as involved—he’s mostly focused on the course itself while Jace handles the rest of the details—and he travels a lot to play golf.”

“So you decided to go ahead with the project despite your misgivings?”

“I felt I had to. One of the senior partners is retiring inNovember, and they’re already talking about the reshuffle. There’s going to be a junior partner position available.”

“And you’re looking for a promotion?”

“Not just a promotion. The vacancy will be in the Richmond office, and that’s where my boyfriend lives. Did Rusty tell you I’m dating a hockey player? Silas plays for the Richmond Raiders, and he eats, sleeps, and breathes sports. But I work in New York, so I don’t get to spend as much time with him as I’d like.”

I kept my tone light and framed my next question as a joke. “So he can’t move to New York? Why is it always women who have to compromise?”

“He did offer to move to New York, but he loves Virginia, and he loves playing for the Raiders, and I don’t want to be the one to tear the team apart. I’m cool with moving to Richmond. It’ll be nice to have more open space.”

“You need the promotion to move? Couldn’t you go anyway and stay with Silas?”

“I could, but I like to think long-term, and I want a safety net. Silas is the most wonderful man I’ve ever met, and I love him with my whole heart but…but…” Kelsey glanced at Rusty. “But he’s a hockey player. No offence.”

“Uh, none taken?”

“I don’t think he’d use Rodrigo as a role model, but I still don’t want to be dependent on a man. And I love my job too. The rush Silas gets from scoring goals, I get from seeing a sketch on my drafting table turning into a whole-ass building that people enjoy.”

“So you don’t want to be a hockey wife?”

She shuddered. “The hockey wives scare me.”

“I understand, I really do. I’m dating a pro surfer, and I always feel like such a dork beside the surfing WAGs. I can’t even do a bottom turn.”

“At least you can swim now,” Erin put in.

Kelsey was beginning to relax just a tiny bit. Her shoulders had dropped, and she reached for the coffee Rusty had made, the too-tight pyjamas she’d borrowed from Erin stretching across her back. Sparkly unicorns weren’t her usual style, but she hadn’t complained.

“Where do you surf in Las Vegas?” she asked.

“We live in California, but I fly back here for work when I need to. I don’t put in as many hours as I used to, but I don’t want to give up my job entirely.”

“What would you do if one of your clients was a sleaze?”

“I’m my own boss, so I’d kick him to the kerb, and if he did to me what Jace did to you, I’d report him to the police as well.”

“I can’t go to the police,” she said quickly. “If I file a report, this will blow up, and my name will be dragged through the mud again.”

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