Page 37 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance
She gives me a mischievous look. “Now I have a question for you.”
Did I mention how intriguing I find her? “Oh?”
“A job offer, actually.”
“What do you mean? I know I still have to travel a fair bit, but at least this gig keeps me based here in Sarabella, and that’s all I want.” I don’t want her to have any more doubts about where I stand. She’s my highest priority, and I’m not letting anything come between us again.
“Be my GM.” Her expression is dead serious.
I’m at a loss for words. The idea never crossed my mind. I know hockey better than I know myself, but I never pictured myself working directly with a team in that capacity. “Why me?”
“You’re an analyst at heart. Imagine what we could do with this team with your skill set. You’d make an amazing general manager.”
“I thought you always wanted to do this with your father.” Probably a ridiculous statement, but since she knows how her father turned me away, I don’t want to mess with her memories of him any more than I already have.
“In case you’ve forgotten, he’s no longer around.” Her tone is ironic and playful.
I chuckle. “I know, but…”
“But?”
The idea excites me more than I expected. “You really believe I can do this?”
“I’m positive. We’ll make a great team.” She lifts her brows. “Want to think about it?”
I study her face—the curve of her smile, the excitement dancing in her eyes. After 23 years, we not only got a second chance at love but a new adventure to take together. “No, I don’t have to.”
She tilts her chin up as if she’s challenging me. “Answer, please.”
How can I resist? And I have no desire to. “Yes, I’ll be your general manager.”
A soft squeal comes from those lush lips of hers, and she bounces up and down. “I can’t wait to tell my sister. She’s going to flip.”
I let out an ironic chuckle. “I can’t wait to tell my agent. He’ll either love it or hate me. Good thing he’s my best friend.”
She stares at the ring on her finger. “Is it…” Her eyes find mine. “The same one?”
I nod.
Tears well in her eyes. Usually, I can tellwhat she’s thinking, but right now, I’m unsure. I pull her against me. “We can pick out a new one if you prefer.”
“No. It’s not that.” She rests her palm on my chest. The modest diamond catches the light, sparkling like her eyes.
I considered finding something new, but whenever I opened the box, I still felt that same zing that said it wasthe ring.
“Then what?”
“I can’t believe you kept it all this time.”
I brush my lips over hers, then lift her hand and kiss her fingers above the ring. “I never let go of the hope that one day we’d get a second chance.”
She leans into me, her forehead resting against mine. “I spent so long trying not to look back. Trying to convince myself it didn’t matter. But it did.”
I tighten my arms around her. “You always mattered. You still do. More than ever.”
“I know that now.” She tilts her face up for a kiss.
And I oblige, happily, content for the first time in 23 years. “And I’m never going to let you forget it.”
