“Okay, okay!” Rodriguez pulls out his phone, makes an exaggerated show of tapping buttons. “There. Gone. Erased from the internet forever.”
“And the backup I know you saved?”
Rodriguez’s face falls. “You’re no fun at all.”
“Three.”
“Fine! Deleted! Both copies!” He actually does it this time, showing Roman the phone. “See? Gone.”
Roman’s expression doesn’t change. “Good. Now get out.”
As Rodriguez slinks toward the door, he pauses beside Juliette. Some of his usual confidence returns, though it’s more restrained. “I, uh, see you at the rink sometimes. Your skating is incredible.”
Juliette looks genuinely surprised by the compliment. “Thank you.”
“She teaches beginner classes at four,” I supply helpfully, unable to resist.
The look Juliette shoots me could cut glass. Rodriguez’s expression brightens.
“Four? That’s—good to know. For scheduling purposes. Rink stuff.”
“Go,” Roman says flatly.
Rodriguez goes.
Roman glances at Juliette, his expression softening slightly. “Sorry for the interruption.”
“No problem, Captain,” she replies with perfect composure.
He nods once, then looks at me. “Dinner tonight?”
“Your place. Seven.”
“Good.” He kisses my forehead—brief, professional enough for the setting but still claiming—then follows Rodriguez out.
The door closes. Silence settles.
“I do not need you playing matchmaker,” Juliette says immediately, voice sharp.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, all innocent professionalism. “Now, back to your ankle. Let’s test some weight-bearing exercises.”
We work through the last half of the session, but I can see her mind is elsewhere. When we finish, I make a decision.
“So. Graduate program starting in August.”
“Yes.”
“That’s seven months away. What are you doing until then?”
She blinks. “Teaching. Training, carefully. Trying not to go broke paying for ice time.”
“What if I offered you a position here? Shadowing me, learning the practical side of sports therapy. Paid internship, flexible hours around your skating schedule.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”
“You’re smart, dedicated, and you understand athlete psychology because you are one. You’d be an asset. And frankly, I could use the help—this promotion means I’m managing a bigger staff and I need someone who can learn the systems.” I pause. “Plus it would look great on your future applications.”
“I—yes. Absolutely yes.” She’s actually smiling now, the ice-queen facade cracking. “When would I start?”
