“We just call it ‘the arena.’” He opens the door, holding it open for me, then follows me in. “Rebecca could tell you more, I’m sure.”
I tilt my head as I look up at him. “You call her by her first name?”
He nods. “She’s really laid-back. You’ll like her.”
I don’t tell Wade that I already do, or that she did tell me to call her Rebecca on the video interview. But hearing him call her by her first name makes me believe she meant it.
Wade walks with me, bypassing the door to the locker room. When I shoot him a questioning look, he shrugs.
“Didn’t want you to get lost on your first day.” His slanted grin returns, the one I’ve known my whole life, but this time, it hits me differently. As does the tenderness in his gaze. But he’s always acted like this around his sisters and me. Ever the big brother taking care of us ‘fillies’ as he used to refer to us.
I suppress a smile. “Thanks, but I think I could have found it on my own.”
The light in his eyes dims. “I know, I just thought…”
Now I feel like a heel. He’s just looking out for me. I touch his forearm. “Thank you. Iama little nervous.”
His expression brightens again. “Don’t be. You’re going to be amazing.”
His belief in me sends a reassuring warmth through my entire being and settles those angry bees swarming in my stomach. Come to think of it, I don’t recall Chase ever saying anything affirming to me. I was the one usually building him up.
As we approach what looks like a reception desk, the young woman sitting there smiles right away. “Hi, Wade.” Her gaze shifts to me. “You must be Aubrey.”
After I glance at Wade, I nod. “Call me Bree.”
She jumps up and holds her hand out. “I’m Harper, Rebecca’s assistant. If you need anything, just let me know.”
Harper shows us into an office on the opposite side of the hallway. “Wade and Bree are here.”
Rebecca rises from her chair and rounds the desk, hand extended to me. She’s the picture of professionalism in her tailored black and white pantsuit, black heels, and a neat updo to her blonde hair. Her gray-blue eyes sparkle with genuine enthusiasm, which makes me smile and puts me somewhat at ease.
“A pleasure, Bree. We’re so glad to have you with us.” She raises a brow at Wade, then refocuses on me. “I understand you two have known each other for a long time.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I clasp my hands in front of me and try to remember to breathe. This woman’s father was a legend in the hockey world, and Rebecca is fast becoming his counterpart in the builders aspect of the sport.
Her face pinches for a moment. “Please, call me Rebecca.”
The sleeping bees in my stomach turn into an angry swarm. Did I offend my new boss already? “Of course. Glad to be here…Rebecca.”
Her wide smile returns as she points to the man sitting on the small sectional on the other side of the room. “And this is Zach Keller, our general manager.”
An older man with gray speckling the sides of his hair and dark, piercing eyes stands, buttoning his pin-stripe jacket as he approaches us. “And Rebecca’s husband.”
I shake his hand, fangirling a smidge. I’ve watched Zach Keller give analytical commentary on many games while on staff with the Texas Stars. “I know. I mean, I know who you are, and I heard you two got married.”
Great, now I even sound like a fangirl. And over my boss’ husband!
Rebecca rolls her eyes. “He likes to make sure everyone knows.”
Zach lifts his chest as he tugs on the bottom of his suit jacket. “I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea if they see me kiss you in the hallway.”
She shakes her head. “Hockey players…”
The look of adoration Zach gives Rebecca nearly melts me in my shoes. Chase never looked at me like that. No one’s ever looked at me with anything near that level of affection.
Except for Wade… But he’s my best friend.
I study him as he makes a comment that brings a laugh. Then he swings his warm gaze to me, making me second-guess everything. Has he always looked at me that way? He looks at his sisters the same way, too, doesn’t he?
