“What are the updates on your end?” I ask. “How’s it going with the Ericksons’ house?” They were another family that Bryce’s scam caused to lose their home, and they were among the first to get funds from Libby’s money.
Baylee sighs in a way that tells me it’s not good news. “The new owners are making ten thousand dollars a month using it as a GetAwayHome. They don’t want to sell, even for the extra ten percent.”
I gasp. “Ten thousand a month?”
“And I quote, ‘It’s a great place for families.’ Ironic, huh?” she says dryly. “I’m going to make a run at a few of our big donors to get some extra ‘change.’” She laughs at using that to refer to thousands of dollars. “Then we can give the Ericksons the amount they’d need to build a new house the same size as the one they lost. The housing market is wild.”
I want to tell Baylee to call Ellie. She’ll give the foundation what it needs to cover things like this without blinking. But I also don’t want to take advantage of my new family.
There’s no fake about it.
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. And don’t worry,” I add sternly.
“Sure.” Baylee laughs. “Just like that! I turned it off!” she adds sarcastically.
I chuckle and we hang up. I look at my watch, knowing Libby will be home soon and I want to spend every minute I can with her.
I’m stepping out of the second bathroom—the one that’s next door to my room—towel around my waist, when Libby bumps into me. Literally.
“Oh,” she says with surprise, her hands landing on my chest, which is still a little damp.
“You’re back.” I’m not sure what else to say. I tighten my grip on the towel at my waist.
“Mmm-hmmm.” Libby nods, her gaze on my chest—which, to be fair, is at her eye level. “Oh!” she cries again, snapping her hands away and taking a step back. “Sorry.” She looks at the ground, sheepish.
The thing is, I live for these moments when I get to see Libby’s feelings for me written on her face, her attraction, the chemistry between us. Yes, it took a monumental amount of will-power to keep from leaning into her touch or dropping a kiss on top of her head just now, but it will all be worth the wait later.
“All good.” I take a step back too, so she knows I’m not taking advantage of this.
Still looking firmly at the ground—which means I can smirk—she says, “I didn’t think about you not having an ensuite bathroom. Maybe we should switch. That’s not really fair.”
And risk this happening with our roles switched? No, thank you. “I’m fine. I’m not going to take your bathroom, Lib. It’s got better counters, a better tub, and more storage space, which you need.”
“Then maybe we should look for an apartment, or a house or something, with another bedroom that has an ensuite bathroom.” She starts to sidestep around me to get to her room, and Ihelp out by stepping back against the door of the bathroom I just left.
“Really, it’s fine.”
The red in her cheeks, which I can barely see given that her head is down, says it’s not fine. Well, it says that my bare chest has her flustered. I’m good with that.
“Okay,” she squeaks, and then hustles into her bedroom.
I let out the chuckle I’ve been holding back—quietly—and retreat to my own.
When I meet Libby downstairs ten minutes later, fully clothed in black joggers and a Denver Devils T-shirt that she provided me with, her cheeks redden again when she glances at my chest.
“Ready to go?” I ask. The best thing to do for her is to pretend that our encounter upstairs didn’t happen.
“Yep.” She nods too quickly and leads the way down to the two-car garage attached to our unit.
I open the door to my truck for her, as I always do. We rarely drive her car if we’re together. It’s a nice luxury SUV, but it’s one of those small ones that I’m slightly cramped in. My truck is more comfortable.
We’re headed to a Devils flag football game. It’s a promotional event that Libby told me Ellie stole from the Pumas, although they have their players coach a kids’ flag football game. Ellie wants Denver to get to know the Devils players so they can connect more with them. The team hasn’t made a playoff in years, and they’ve been terrible. According to Libby, Ellie came in and rehauled everything, from the business office to the coaching staff, and very few people have stayed on board since she took over.
“I forgot to tell you yesterday that we scheduled interviews for the head coach position,” Libby says as soon as I get in. My lips twitch at the way she’s trying to make sure our conversation gets back to normal after The Incident. “We need to get someonehired right away, even though Andrew’s doing a fabulous job as interim head coach.”
“He’s good.” Libby already knows that’s who I want to hire, but I know that’s tricky. I’m only seeing how good it will be for the team, their strategy, and the players. Libby has to consider all the business aspects as well, and that includes how each will fit with the reality show. It’s going to bring a spotlight to the White Wolves that will bring in money, and with that, tools for continued success. It has to be part of the hiring strategy. “The team will still be ready when the season starts next month,” I add.
“I agree,” she says. “We’re starting on Monday. I’ll need you there.”
