I tilt my head to the side, my eyes scanning her face. “What’s that?”
“No catching feelings.”
A chuckle rumbles in my chest. “I don’t catch feelings, Sunny. That won’t be a problem.” I extend my arm, holding out my hand to her. “So, do we have a deal?”
Her eyes don’t leave mine as she slides her palm against my waiting hand, giving me a swift shake.
“Deal.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
JADE
“Julian pushed the limits of my patience. I was not above throwing a palette of paint at him.” - Clara Foss, Painted Inferno
Why do I feel like I made a deal with the devil?
I stare down at the entire thread Nicole sent to me with people talking about Matteo and the women he’s dated. It doesn’t look like he’s ever been in a confirmed relationship, although it’s not unusual for him to be seen in public with different women.
Maybe he’s just the devil disguised as a hot hockey player with a known playboy reputation. The one who has enough confidence for his entire team.
Regardless of who he is, I woke up yesterday morning with a massive hangover and a brain brimming with inspiration. I filled a few pages of my notebook with random thoughts and ideas.
“So, let me get this straight,” Ellie starts after she finishes chewing a piece of her sushi roll. I lock my screen, not needing to see anymore. I’ve already done enough of my own research too. “You left us Friday to go to a diner with Matteo fucking Ford and ended the night by making a deal with him?”
Chewing my own food, I slowly nod my head. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
“I don’t understand his side of the deal,” Nicole chimes in from across the table. “There has to be something more than just talking and hanging out with him, right?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug, shaking my head as I set my chopsticks down on my now empty plate. “I told him I won’t be exchanging any sexual favors.”
Ellie claps her hands. “Yes, girl, establish those boundaries.”
“Hockey players are known for their superstitions. If you think about it, it makes sense.”
Aiden had some weird ones when we were dating, although I didn’t pay much attention to them. He kind of kept me separate from the hockey world, which at the time, felt weird, but I didn’t question him on it.
Looking back now, I couldn’t have been any stupider.
“He said he scored a goal, and they broke their losing streak after we met.”
Nicole’s eyes widen. “You’re his new good luck charm.”
“Like those rabbit foot keychains.”
Nicole and I both look at Ellie. Nicole’s face contorts. “Um, maybe not exactly like that.” We share a quiet laugh before she looks at me. “What about you? Any progress with your book?”
“The spark I needed—it’s come back to me,” I admit, a smile creeping across my lips as my stomach does a somersault. “I’ve been jotting down notes and have a few ideas that feel promising. I’m just not sure what I want to do yet. But to answer your question, yes.”
I need to have something for my agent tomorrow, but I feel a hell of a lot more hopeful than I did before. I have twenty-four hours to get something ready for her.
“You found your new muse.”
The smile spreads across my face. “I think I did. Although, this whole situation is a first for me.”
Ellie waves her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. You’re just doing it for the plot.”
That’s exactly what this is. Something about him leaves me feeling inspired and he’s already agreed to help me figure out this story. It’s like our very own pact, in a way. I help him, he helps me.
