Zaila bit her lip. “You don’t mind?”
“That you’re a responsible, caring daughter who worries about her parent’s health?” I shook my head. “I do not. In fact, it makes me think even more of you.”
Her expression softened, and I realized she’d been nervous. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I mean it. The fact that you gave up your independence for your mom is not something I see from a lot of younger people.”
Zaila shrugged. “That’s probably because most of the younger people you deal with are professional athletes who are used to being catered to, not catering to others.”
“That’s valid,” I said. “Insightful, too. Because I just thought most twenty-somethings were selfish.”
Zaila shook her head. “I’m sure many are, just as many older adults are. But athletes are a special breed. They’re used to being indulged and coddled. They aren’t used to having to put in the emotional work for relationships. Well, in my limited experience.”
“That’s because our current rookies and first-year players are some of the most entitled little shits I’ve ever dealt with.” I ran my hand through my hair, my good mood souring as I remembered my Jeff problem. The deal Silas and my GM had been working on had recently fallen through thanks to Jeff’s comments about his lack of playing time. I was on the verge of sending him to the minor leagues. So close. “Make your call.”
Zaila pulled out her phone but peeked up at me before she pressed dial. “You really don’t like Jeff.”
I shook my head. “I don’t have to like the players, but I should be able to respect their work ethic and commitment to the game.”
“Jeff doesn’t meet that standard either,” Zaila said.
Before I could ask if she was giving me her opinion or telling me what she thought I believed, she put her phone to her ear.
Once she was certain her mother was fine and more than happy to laze the morning away, she hung up. “We can take over brunch...”
I raised an eyebrow. “Or?”
“Or we could stay here for a while longer,” Zaila offered, mischief in her eyes.
“And do what?” I asked, my hands falling to her hips.
She leaned in and bit my lip. “You could give me a tour of your house.”
Nearly a week later, after the second win in a row for the Wildcatters—helped by Jeff riding the bench—I met Zaila in my office. The first game this week had been away, and I’d had dinner meetings the last two nights and then tonight’s game. Dating me had to frustrate her; my schedule and lack of time with her certainly frustrated me. I struggled to find a chance to see her each day, and my calendar kept filling up more and more quickly, no matter how much I wanted to carve out time for her.
So, these stolen minutes in my office and at her mother’s house were the highlights of my week. And I still missed holding her at night and waking up with her in the morning. That was part of how I knew this relationship differed from any other I’d had.
The moment Zaila walked into my office, I leaned down, my lips meeting hers in a tender kiss. The moment felt perfect and much-needed after the busyness of the last seven days.
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
I jerked back, my heart racing as I saw Jay Welks standing in the doorway, still half-dressed in the Gusher mascot costume.
I felt Zaila’s muscles stiffen. I never wanted her to feel that way, tense and unsure, when she was with me. “Did you need something?” I asked Jay, my tone flinty.
“The big boss and his much-younger employee. Quite the scandal, don’t you think?” Jay asked, his smirk growing.
I felt my jaw clench. “What do you want, Jay?”
He sauntered into my office, twirling Gusher’s oversized hockey stick. “Oh, nothing much. Just better working conditions for the social media team. A raise wouldn’t hurt either.”
“You’re blackmailing me?” I asked, incredulous. I felt Zaila huff as she turned to face her boss.
Jay shrugged. “I prefer to think of it as negotiating. Unless you’d rather the board hear about this indiscretion?”
I glanced at Zaila, who looked pale but determined. “Actually, the board is aware of my relationship with Zaila,” I growled. She startled as she met my gaze. “Just as I informed Noelle.” She was the head of the marketing department. “And HR.”
“I didn’t tell you, though, and that was my choice,” Zaila told Jay. “Because I was concerned about how you’d react. Clearly I was right to worry. You thought you could sneak up on us and make our relationship dirty.” Zaila lifted her chin, meeting Jay’s gaze. “It’s not.”
