He had no idea how important that was for me. “I do, actually.” I swallowed. “That is really admirable, which makes him an even bigger asshole.”
Luca’s face lit up with the smile I’d seen earlier. “He’s got his own issues, but that’s the general feeling around here.” He exhaled heavily. “I’ve survived worse things, and I’ll figure it out. I’ll be fine, Mr. Hughes.” The sincerity in his face drew me in like a moth to a flame. I was afraid that if I took my eyes off him, he would disappear. “You should go back inside. Decker has been talking about your arrival for weeks.”
I rubbed my fingers across my mouth. I wanted to keep him talking. “So, you did recognize me. And call me Axel.”
“Oh, I did. But sometimes professional athletes want to be invisible like everyone else. It’s your choice to let New Yorkers know you’re here.”
Nodding, my eyes caught on more wisps of that silky hair that had come loose from the elastic. The one around his wrist must have meant it happened often. “I was not aware the Nighthawks had released it yet. I thought they might be waiting.”
“Why? Americans can’t keep secrets. Snagging the European makes you a prized hockey commodity. They need to brag. And that means the internet is all abuzz about your arrival.”
I folded my arms across my chest to keep from reaching out to him. “I guess that makes me something. Sounds like you are a hockey fan.”
“It’s in the blood. But I don’t have much time to watch anymore. I stay pretty busy with work and school.”
“Thanks to me, I suppose you have a little more time to watch now.”
“Oooh,” he groaned. “No, just the opposite. It means I start all over, finding one that works with my day job and grad school schedule.”
Mesmerized by every beautiful word that came out of his mouth, I was convinced he was worth knowing. “I’m really sorry.”
Luca shrugged. “It’s okay. I believe what’s meant to be will happen. It was just a matter of time before he flexed his proverbial managerial muscles. I just wish it hadn’t been in front of the whole world.”
“That was a dick move.”
“Literally.” I missed the joke, but he went on. “How are you enjoying New York?”
I looked down at my Rolex. “I’ve been here…” I did the math. “… four hours. So, I’ll have to let you know.”
“It’s the best city in the world. You can find anything and everything here. You’re going to love it.”
I already was. “You sound like an advertisement. How long have you been here?”
“My whole life. Never been anywhere else.”
“Are all New Yorkers as friendly as you?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Probably not. But they’re going to love your accent.” He pushed off the car. “I don’t want to keep you from your friends.” He held out his hand to shake. “It was nice to meet you, Axel. Good luck this season. I know you’re gonna kill it.”
As I took his outstretched hand, Luca stared up at me with kind eyes. He seemed eager to go, and maybe that was for the best. “Thank you, and it was nice to meet you, too.”
I stepped back as he got into the car and cranked down the window. After a precarious start, relief colored his face when the engine started. Our eyes met again. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”
Before he could pull away, I put my hand on the window. I don’t know what it was about him that intrigued me, but he was someone I wanted to know. “It was my fault you were late. Do you need anything? Let me help you.” I reached for my wallet, but he shook his head vehemently.
“No, absolutely not. I’m pretty good at making it on my own. Been doing it my whole life.”
I didn’t doubt his words, but I had the power to make it so much easier for him. “Can I give you my number?”
I could see the hesitation in his eyes. “Why would I need it?”
“In case you need something. That’s what friends do. Or so I’ve heard.”Because something tells me letting you walk away would be the biggest mistake of my life.
Luca’s shoulders tensed. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m good. Go have fun with your friends before the time difference catches up with you. They’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”
“I’m good, as you say.”
“Of course you are.”
