The rest of the guys still seem a little wary, but Rebecca reassured me they’d come around. I hope she’s right because I can’t very well launch the ‘Date a Hockey Player’ event without hockey players. Another reminder of how generous and kind Wade is. He hates this kind of thing, yet he didn’t even hesitate to volunteer.
I shouldn’t compare, but Chase was always about what I could do for him.
How in the world did I put up with it—him—for as long as I did?
When I walk into Rebecca’s office, she glances up at me with an immediate smile. A quick look to my right confirms that Zach is there, his expression welcoming as well. These two have to be the ultimate power couple of the hockey world, which gives me another idea.
“I wanted to run something by you two.” I swing my gaze between them.
Zach unfolds himself from the couch and joins us at Rebecca’s desk. “Shoot.”
“Most arenas are named after corporate sponsors.”
Rebecca shakes her head. “I’m not interested in going that direction.” She glances toward Zach, who lifts a single brow but remains silent. “At least not yet.”
I hold my hand out. “Right, but that’s not where I was headed. The arena—your arena—still needs a name. What if the fans helped pick it out?”
Zach sits on the edge of Rebecca’s desk. “You mean like the whole Boaty McBoatface incident?”
Rebecca’s eyes widen with mild alarm.
“No, we won’t let that happen,” I reassure her. “We’ll come up with a short list and have the fans vote. Creates a sense of ownership for them, too.”
Zach and Rebecca pass a look. He gestures at me. “I like the way she thinks.”
Rebecca’s mouth quirks up on one side. “Perhaps because she just echoed my philosophy about ownership.”
Dumbfounded, I bounce my gaze between them. “Then you like the idea?”
“Love it.” Elbows on her desk, Rebecca clasps her hands under her chin. “Let the players give their thoughts and ideas, too.”
“Of course. This is their home.”
Again, they send each other knowing looks accompanied by grins this time.
Rebecca lowers her hands and widens her smile. “You’ve barely been here a week, and you already fit us like a glove, Bree. I love this idea. Let’s get to work on that list, shall we?”
If I could do a happy dance and still look professional, I’d break out some moves. I’ll save that for later, but I will use this budding confidence to propose my other idea.
“I have another proposal that I think would be fun and help build the team’s profile overall.”
Rebecca holds her hand out. “Go on.”
“So far, Ethan and Elias are giving me great footage as the E-team. And the other players are slowly warming up to doing these videos to establish the team’s social media presence.”
They both nod.
“I’d like…I mean, I was wondering… Would you two be willing to do some videos as well?”
They stare at each other in a silent dialogue. Zach’s smile quirks up, matching his lifted brow on that side of his face. Rebecca’s blush turns several shades darker.
I wave my hands between them. “Oh, nothing embarrassing. I meant strictly professional. You two are like the power couple of the ECHL. We could show the fans some behind-the-scenes glimpses of your professional partnership.”
Rebecca leans back in her seat as Zach pushes off the desk and stands next to her, eyes completely focused on her. “Your team, your call.”
She holds his hand, twining her fingers with his, and stares up at him. “Our team.”
A knot forms in my throat at the love and respect defining their exchange. I get the semantics. Outsiders could easily assume he’s the one running the show.
