Page 177 of The Maxwell Brothers
He whistled. “Damn.”
“So tell everyone that Operation Coddling Tyler is over.”
“That was never the name of the operation.”
I chuckled. “Whatever it is, it’s not necessary anymore.”
“Roger that. Have fun.”
“I will.”
I hadn’t actually made plans with Kendra yet, but that was just a technicality. This was one of the best things to happen to me, and I wanted to celebrate it with her.
I texted her right away.
Tyler: Hey, what are you doing?
Kendra: Still at the office, trying to finish a schedule. Feels a bit like putting together a puzzle that's beyond my age limit, and I can't make all the pieces fit together.
I decided to surprise her.
Once I arrived at the office building, I found the front door open and went straight inside. I was expecting to find Kendra with her sister or on her own. Instead, there was a guy in there.
"Thank you so much, Alex," she said. “I'll sign everything for you, and you can take it right back.”
He was carrying a backpack. He was probably a bike messenger. His eyes were fixed on Kendra while she signed some papers. He was obviously checking her out, and I didn't like it one bit.
"Kendra, I’m here," I said. She looked up at me, and the corners of her mouth instantly lifted.
"Tyler, hey!"
"Holy shit," the guy exclaimed. "You're Tyler Maxwell. Man, I'm such a fan of the Blades. I hope you get back on the ice soon. You're the best goalie they've got. How's your shoulder?"
"Healing," I said.
"Can I get your autograph? I have a pen. Damn, I don't have paper!"
"Here, I have one for you," Kendra said, taking a sheet from the printer.
"Can you autograph this for me, man? My name's Alex."
I quickly signed my name for the overecstatic Alex, eager to get him out.
"Kendra, you didn't tell me you knew this guy."
"I'm not at liberty to talk about my clients," she said.
Client. I wasn't just a fucking client, and I wanted this guy to know it. I stepped closer to Kendra, putting an arm around her waist. I felt her tense. Didn't she want us to go public? Then I tilted my head to take a closer look at her. Her eyes were wide in surprise. Okay, surprise was good.
The guy's mouth hung open when he looked at the autograph, and then his eyes rested on my arm. Yeah, I was damn possessive, but I wanted him to get the message. And he did.
"Kendra, thanks for being so quick. And thank you too, man, for the autograph. I'll be going now."
He secured his backpack, folding the sheet of paper and putting it in his pocket before leaving, closing the door behind him.
The second we were alone, Kendra looked up at me.
A smile was tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Mr. Superstar Goalie, what's with this?" She tapped the fingers I had on her waist.
