Zoe was standing outside a door down the hall. “Hurry. They’re waiting for you.”
Caitlyn followed her friend into what must be the library. The comfortable room had a gas fireplace, a seating area full of comfy-looking chairs, and walls lined with books. She loved it immediately.
“Were you spying on them?” Noah asked.
“No. I don’t spy, but I did have an idea you and I should talk about after the games tonight.” Caitlyn purposefully didn’t look at Heath and hoped Noah would get the message. When his eyes darted to the man and back to her, he gave a quick nod.
Heath didn’t try to run their meeting but turned to Noah and Caitlyn expectantly. That didn’t fit what she’d been thinking. Curious. They discussed what had worked in the game and what hadn’t and then possible position changes.
When they returned to the game room, the others had gathered around a table laden with food. It included a delightful mixture of both healthy and fun things to eat. Caitlyn took a package of peanut butter crackers.
“Could I be having a word with you?” Noah whispered.
“Sure.” Caitlyn followed him to their lounge chairs.
“What was your epiphany in the library?”
“Since Heath’s been working remotely for REKD Gaming, could he be a plant?” she asked, opening her package of crackers. “Like he’s got a special assignment while he’s here?”
“Why, that slydivil.” Noah gave a dark chuckle. “‘Twould bejust like Sona to throw in a ringer just to see how I act. She pushes me harder than anyone else she supervises. Sorry you got dragged into this. But tell me what you be thinking.”
Caitlyn set aside the comment about Sona being hard on Noah for future consideration. “I’ve only wondered about him because he can’t be a simple student like the rest of us. He’s twenty-five at least, I’m sure.”
“What are the two of you conspiring about?” Finn asked, sliding into the seat on the other side of Noah.
Caitlyn wondered if he was going to tell his friend. When Noah shook his head, she let out her breath. They had no proof Heath was anything more than what he appeared.
“‘Tis team leader business. Nothing you need to fret over.”
“Whatever.”
Finn said it with such a perfect American accent Caitlyn burst out laughing. The others who’d come over wanted to know what the joke was, and she insisted he repeat it, which made everyone else laugh. The lightheartedness of the moment, plus the tactics discussion in the library, must have helped. They won the following game.
Playing REKD would definitely need to be a retreat team-building activity, especially the confab sessions after each game and the snacks. She could see the benefit of the pro teams whose coaches went over their team play after games.
5
Noah showered and dressed quickly the next morning, actually looking forward to talking with Caitlyn. Zoe had called her the team support for the games, and he’d scrutinized her interactions with the other interns and even himself. Caitlyn’s behavior reminded him of the girl he’d first met and fallen for two years ago.
Last night, he’d resented how she told him not to get tilted, thinking her a hypocrite. She’d proved him wrong. Over the evening, her behavior matched her statement, and she hadn’t given in to anger. She was just as passionate about the game as he was, but to her, itwasonly a game. He hated to admit it, but he could learn from her attitude.
As Noah approached the kitchen, the smell of boxty greeted him. His stomach rumbled. He stepped into the room and found both Sona and Caitlyn busy at work.
“Ah, my darling of a cousin,” he cried, dashing over to give Sona a kiss on the cheek, “my prayers have been heard and you’ve made Granny’s boxty recipe.”
Zoe poked her head out of the large pantry. “Boxty? I thought they were pancakes.”
“They’re what Americans would call Irish potato pancakes,” Sona said, her expression nostalgic. “Noah’s grandmother and my grandmother were sisters. Though they weren’t raised together, they both had the same family recipe.”
“And a fine recipe it is too.” Finn sniffed as he entered the kitchen and rubbed his hands. “‘Tis like a bit of home whenever Sona takes sympathy on two starving students.”
“You can help set the table.” Caitlyn handed him a stack of plates. “This is our first team-building activity.”
“Setting the table?” Noah teased, reaching over her head to pull down a pitcher.
“You know what I mean. Making a meal together.” Caitlyn poked him in the side.
After he almost dropped it on her, he said, “Careful there, my girl.”
