“Mmm, that’s big-league timing right there,” he says, glancing over at me. “Thinking two passes ahead. Jackson won’t be ours for long.” He gives a rueful laugh. Liam agrees.
“This is a fab facility, Libs.” A voice makes me turn to see Ellie walking toward us, and the two camera operators who had been focusing on the players both gravitate toward my sister andme. Bennet fans are going to love getting to see Ellie in action again. “That kitchen ismwah,” she continues. She makes a chef’s kiss motion. “Don’t show my diet and nutrition people. They’ll demand an upgrade at the Devils’ facility.”
I move to hug her. It was nice of Ellie to come down and give me support like this. She’s emphasizing to Liam and the team that ownership is in my blood and I know what I’m doing.
“Hey,” I say after I introduce her to Liam. “What’s up?” I have to at least pretend like I don’t know what my sister’s doing here, talking me up in front of my new staff.
“Was in the neighborhood.” She shrugs. She gives me another side hug, her smile wide. “I’m so glad you’re here, Libs.” It’s no surprise to me that there have been parts of Ellie’s move to Denver that have been hard for her, namely being away from our family when we’ve all lived in Houston together for so long. She adores Janelle’s kids, and while sometimes it might be hard to see their large family given how she and Will have struggled with infertility, I know it’s harder being away than being close. It makes me wonder if Janelle has told Ellie about her pregnancy yet. Now that the rest of us know, she can’t keep it from her for long, even if it’s difficult to announce they’re expecting their sixth child.
“Can we do lunch tomorrow?” Ellie asks. “Do you have time?”
I nod. “Want to grill me without Jordan?” I arch an eyebrow at her. I know what my sister’s up to. Mom might not buy our story about dating in secret and marrying quickly, but she won’t outright challenge me the way Ellie will. She wants to get to the bottom of it, I’m sure, to protect me. Last time I kept something big like this from them, it didn’t end well. I wish I could figure out what exactly she thinks is going on. That Jordan’s trying to con me out of money? I already gave the man ten million dollars, and Ellie knows that.
I can’t help but consider how viewers are going to eat up thetiny taste of the old drama me and my sister used to play up for the cameras—Ellie disapproving of my new husband. Honestly, that was kind of brilliant of me.
“Grill you about what?” she asks innocently. “You guys have something to hide?”
“You act like you think we do,” I say dryly.
“Oh, yeah. That line is clicking,” Jordan suddenly interjects, clapping a couple times. “Sorry,” he says, looking at both of us with chagrin. He shifts closer to Liam, murmuring more compliments for the team.
Ellie reaches for my hand and holds it in hers. “I love you, Libby,” she says sincerely.
I lean my head on her shoulder. “I know. I love you too.”
My gaze strays to Jordan again as he tells Liam, “Love the way Jonesy isn’t overreacting. Smart.”
“He’s a great goalie.” Liam nods.
Ellie flicks her hand at a cameraman who has gotten too close, and he obeys instantly, moving away and going back to filming Jordan and Liam watching practice. I wonder if they’ve heard the stories of how she—and my mom—controlled with an iron fist exactly what they filmed in the final few episodes ofBeing the Bennets.
“You like him,” she says in a low voice, sounding surprised in the same way she was this morning. She isn’t mic’d up like Jordan, Liam, and I are, so they won’t catch what she says unless she gets too close to my mic. I flick it off for a moment just in case.
I let out a quick laugh. “Of course I do, El. He’s my husband.”
“Yeah,” she says, drawing out the word. “Will you guys be home for dinner?”
“Mmm-hmm.” I wish Jordan and I could have some private time, time we don’t have to put on an act for anyone, but going out to eat to get away from Ellie won’t solve that either.
“Sofia’s making tacos.” Ellie rubs her hands together as she talks about her housekeeper and cook, who she’s fallen in love with since moving here. I’ve heard about Sofia’s tacos a lot. I’ve heard about a lot of Sofia’s food. Sofia might be the best thing about Denver, according to Ellie.
“We wouldn’t miss it. I’ve got to see if you’re overhyping the tacos.”
“Definitely not,” Ellie says seriously.
“Yeah, atta boy!” Jordan shouts, making us both jump as he bangs on the boards.
Ellie shares a grin with me. “He’s cute.”
“Yeah, he is.”
She reaches for my hand again. “It’s good to see you happy with him,” she says genuinely.
Guilt shouldn’t pile in my stomach. Iamhappy with Jordan; it’s just not for the reasons Ellie thinks. “Thanks,” I say in a quiet voice, turning back to him. He’s clapping at another good play during the drill, and my smile slips back onto my face, despite the guilt.
After watching practice, Jordan and I head to our separate offices to work for a while. The camera crew has gone home, and everything in me relaxes as I sit in the big, over-cushioned office chair I chose for this space. I spend several minutes enjoying being alone and not having to put on a show. Then I get to work, losing myself in poring over the options we’ve come up with for coaches. I cross a few off the list and make notes to ask Liam and Dan about some others.
My assistant interrupts at five to let me know she’s headed home. Valerie has been with me for two years now, and I was so grateful she chose to come to Denver with me. But she’s so talented, she’ll need a promotion soon.
