Page 77 of Sweet Redemption

“Listen, Serena, I’m going to tell you what I’ve told all my kids. You get one life, and even if you live to a hundred and ten, it’s still going to be too short. You’ve got to live it for yourself, not your parents, not your spouse, not your kids. You’ve got to make yourself happy— because it’s your job. Not someone else’s. And one day when you look back on how you spent your time, you are the only person who has to be happy with the answer.” He swishes the ice around in his drink and leans back against his chair. “Your dad is a good man. The best. But he’s living his life for himself. Now you need to do the same thing. If hockey isn’t your thing, explore your options until you figure out what is.”

I tuck my feet up under my legs and angle myself toward Jace. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Did you kill someone? Because if you did, I can think of a better uncle to tell.”

“Really?” I laugh softly. “No. I haven’t killed anyone. Although I may have threatened your daughter tonight.”

Jace’s smile grows. “I’d be more worried about you than her. She’s scrappier than you, kid. I blame her brothers.”

“I think I may have figured out my next move,” I tell him, excitement building as I voice it for the first time. “I had a very interesting conversation tonight.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. But soon, I think.”

“Let me know if you need help with your dad.” He finishes the rest of his drink and stands.

“Uncle Jace . . .” I wait for him to look down at me. “Thank you.”

SERENA

Trying to start off my day with a protein shake,

but they somehow keep turning into iced coffees instead.

—Serena’s Secret Thoughts

Well, that was another underwhelming candidate.

I place a red X in the top right-hand corner of the résumé sitting on my desk and groan. That brings the total number of prospective replacements interviewed to twenty-three. Twenty-three qualified men and women, and not a single one has felt like a fit for my replacement. Twenty-three people I haven’t bothered introducing to Dad yet—because what’s the point? If I find them underwhelming, he’s certainly not going to say let’s hire them.

There’s a knock at my door before Teagan walks through. The only tell that she’s had surgery recently is the ballet flats she’s wearing in place of her typically sky-high heels. “Hey. You got a minute?”

I close the folder with the last résumé and shove it away. “I do now. How are you feeling?”

The look she gives me could freeze a man in place.

Women tend to not scare as easily.

“The same as when you asked yesterday.”

“Sorry,” I offer and relax into my chair, crossing my legs. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to ask you what you thought of Kaleigh? She traveled with you last weekend. How’d she do?”

“She did great.” The thought brings a smile to my face. “I think she’d be a great addition to the team. She didn’t let the players intimidate her. She stayed on top of everything that needed to be handled. In my opinion, she’d be a good fit.” My lips purse, and I tilt my head, taunting Teags. “She might be a little . . .”

“A little what?” Teagan demands more than asks.

“A little fun for you,” I tease.

“Pot meet kettle much?” She grabs a bottle of water from the credenza against the wall and cracks the lid. “You haven’t exactly been the belle of the ball since you came home.”

“I’ve never been the belle of the ball, Teags.” Not really.

“One day, you’ll see yourself the way the rest of us see you.” She sips her water and sits on the edge of my desk, her long legs crossed at her ankles and skirt inching toward her knees. “You used to smile more than any person I knew. Even Aurora. And that’s saying something because my sister is eternally happy. You used to ooze excitement and life. You left this town and did your own thing. And when you came back, that spark was missing.”

“Yeah well, I left it on a soccer field in Seattle, right along with my ACL,” I grumble, hating the hint of truth in her words. More than a hint, if I’m honest with myself.