Page 7 of Love in Overtime

“Please reach out if you need anything,” Ms. Hale says, looking directly at me. “I’ll follow up after you get settled.”

“Wewill. Thank you so much,” Blair replies.

“Thanks,” I add.

Blair and I make our way through the large front doors and into the lobby. It’s a grand room with a massive fireplace. It reminds me of a ski lodge you’d find in the mountains.

“I can’t wait to go out and explore,” Blair says, not looking up from the map. “But first we have work to do.”

I groan. “You have a to-do list for me, don’t you?”

She smiles. “What kind of publicist would I be without a list?”

“I knew it. Estelle did the list thing for a while, and then we came up with a new system that worked better for us.”

She nods. “I’m open to other options. I have no doubt we’ll find something that works for both of us.”

I give a thoughtful look. “Blair, can I ask you something?”

Her eyes grow wide. “Anything?”

“Are you sure you’re up for this—working with me?” I ask. “You said you did your research, but I’m not the easiest person to deal with. Social and public events aren’t my specialty, and the press knows it.”

A surge of fear builds as I immediately wonder if she might realize she’s in over her head. The last thing I want is to start over again with someone else.

“I learned a long time ago not to believe everything I hear,” she says with a shrug.

Something stirs in my chest as we get on the elevator.

“I’m already loving the energy of this resort,” she says, changing the subject as relief washes over me. I guess this means she’s not going anywhere yet.

“It’s definitely different from the places my team usually stays.”

Blair gives me a worried look. “Oh, there’s another hotel in town. Would you rather stay there? It’s more upscale, but Estelle and I discussed it and decided on this lodge since so many of the other players are here. And since Troy Hart owns it, it made sense.”

Of course. That’s a typical Estelle move. If she was still my publicist, she wouldn’t give me any other option.

“The lodge is fine,” I tell her.

When the elevator door opens on our floor, Blair steps off first. She turns to the right, and I follow closely behind her as we walk down the long hallway.

“Here we are, your home for the next several weeks. And there’s my room,” she adds, pointing to the next door over. I immediately notice how close our rooms are to one another.Not that it matters.

“Neighbors,” I say, clearing my throat.

“Yep.” She pauses. “Anyway, check it out and let me know if everything is okay in your room. I’m sure Ms. Hale will do everything in her power to make things perfect for you. She’s obviously already a diehard Cooper Montgomery fan.”

I snort. “Hmm … I think she’s a fan of hockey players, not specifically me.”

Blair presses her lips together to hide a smile. “Whatever you say.”

We both linger in front of my door for a few more seconds.

“So … I’m going to relax for a while,” I say. “Long travel day.”

Blair nods. “Yes, me too. I’ll talk to you later.”

I move quickly to enter my room.

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