Thirty minutes later, he knocked on the door to Tor Gunnar’s office. Coach was his height, but not as broad. Still, something about Coach’s stony stare could put even the baddest badass down for the count. He called Patch kid, but wasn’t that old. Maybe forty.
But for once, no frustrated frowns came at him from Coach’s direction. In fact, he reached out and clapped Patch on the back in greeting.
“You’re making progress faster than I could have hoped.”
Patch cleared his throat. “Thanks to Margot Kowalski.”
“How’s that working? From where I’m standing it seems as if she might be your secret weapon.”
Patch studied the photograph of Neve on Coach’s desk. “I’m in love with her.”
A hush fell over the office. “What?”
“I’m in love with Margot Kowalski. The yoga teacher.”
“Shit. Thought that’s what you said. You’ve only known each other for what—not long enough.”
“Really, Tor?” Neve Angel pushed through the door that had been opened a crack. She clicked her heeled boots briskly across the floor. “I hope you’re not mansplaining how long it takes for people to fall in love? Because I have it on good account that there was once a couple who fell in love over the course of a single weekend.”
She braced her hands on the back of his big leather chair, and bent over to give him an affectionate kiss on the top of the head.
“A couple that knew each other for years prior,” Tor grumbled.
“And had their heads shoved so far up their own asses that their assholes had assholes.”
Tor looked bemused, but when he glanced up to lock eyes on his fierce-eyed fiancée, it was clear that nothing but affection was in his tone. “Can I help you, Angel?”
“With so many things. Like can you order takeout tonight? I’m feeling like orange chicken from that new Chinese joint on the corner.”
“That’s why you’re here?”
“That and I saw Patch walking into your office. And the door didn’t shut all the way. So I just so happened to have lurked outside to listen to what you two men were talking about. And I heard a little about love feelings and how they applied to one of my best friends.”
Tor snorted. “You can be head of Public Relations for a thousand years and you’ll still be a nosy reporter.”
“I can’t help what’s in my blood,” she said without apology. “And those who want to be off the record should close their doors, just saying. Now.” She clapped her hands and pointed at Patch. “You.”
“What about me.”
“You said you have feelings for Margot? Real feelings?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Realest ones I know.”
“Did she tell you about her ex-boyfriend who tracked her down in the parking lot? Grabbed her arm. Scared her half to death.”
“Yeah.” His world tinged red. He sucked in a deep breath. “Last night.”
“My sister filled me in. I was just on my way to go have a word with good ol’ Stefan. You want to ride shotgun while I track him down?”
“I know where he works.”
“Jesus, Angel.” Now Tor was on his feet. “The kid is already ass-to-eyeballs with the ramifications from his last fight. Don’t go dragging him into another.”
“He accosted my friend. That can’t stand.”
“No.” Tor raked a hand through his hair. “No, it can’t. But there’s got to be a better way than issuing justice through a back-alley beatdown.”
“God, when you talk like that it sort of turns me on,” Neve breathed.
