Page 31 of Off the Post

When she’s satisfied, she hits Send with a swift nod and her face once again breaks into a dazzling smile. Slapping her palms on the desk, she throws me a satisfied look. “Okay. I think I got what I wanted out of today. How about you?”

Ali has already shown me the photos Joelle had taken of me with the kids and Anna and sent me an email with the link for me to download. Technically, my reason for coming to her office is complete.

But I feel compelled to do what Anna had encouraged that night before she left. Her words ring loudly in my head, a reminder that I need to take a risk, move on.

My words burst free from my throat before I can stop myself.

“No. There’s still vun thing left to do.”

Ali’s eyes grow wide and blink at my statement.

I clear my throat. “Vould you like to go to lunch with me?”

15

Ali

I nearly fall off my chair with surprise. Soren’s invite to lunch is not only out of the blue but also seems a bit out of character.

We don’t know each other all that well, so my assumption about him may be off base. But from what I’ve seen, The Wolf’s reserved, somber, and somewhat calculating in nature, making this request unexpected and slightly off-brand.

But maybe not.

No matter where it comes from or why, the invitation is flattering and more than a little nerve-wracking. I’m thrown so off-balance that I stammer out my response.

“Lunch? Now? With you?” I ask in a rush, my index finger flying to the line of my brow, rolling over it nervously. I’m flushed with nerves and excitement.

Soren rubs a hand over the gold flecks in his beard. My fingers itch to do the same—scrub over the stiff stubble, feel the burn against my palm. He turns toward my office window and then back to me, his blond brows knitting together in question.

“Ja, now. Unless you have something else to do?”

I nod emphatically and then shake my head. “Yeah, no. I totally have time. I mean, I think I do.” I stare down at my watch as if it has the answer. Eleven thirty a.m. A little earlier than I’d normally grab a bite to eat. In fact, I don’t usually take a lunch, instead bringing leftovers and heating them up in the breakroom before returning to my desk to work.

But who cares about leftovers when a sexy goalie asks if you’re free for lunch?

“Let me check my calendar to make sure I don’t have any meetings.” I hold up a finger and maneuver the mouse to open my day’s schedule. I only have two meetings show up—one with Joelle to go over the calendar one last time, followed by my weekly check-in with Leanne. Perfect.

The other thing more perfect is this meeting with Soren.

I close my laptop and give him a thumbs-up.

“All good. Let’s do it.”

There’s a hint of a smile visible under the golden scruff of his trimmed beard as he scrubs a hand through it.

Then he pushes his chair back to stand. Soren towers over me, which produces a thrill that spreads down my spine like wildfire. The subtle hint of his cologne, coupled with his proximity, have my feet wanting to levitate off the floor like a Dua Lipa song. Grabbing my purse from my desk drawer, I follow the sweep of his arm that leads me out the door ahead of him.

And then out of nowhere, there’s a large hand resting lightly at the small of my back, the warmth of it sending prickles of pleasure straight to my core. When I step into the main office hallway, my gaze connects with Leanne, who peers out from her office, her eyebrows reaching toward the ceiling.

I bite my lower lip and try to hide the smile that can’t be contained.

Giving her a brief wave, I inform her of our plans. “We’re just going to grab a bite to eat. Be back in an hour?” I turn, tilting my head up to Soren, confirming we’re on the same page.

Before he can answer, Leanne calls out, using the back of both hands to shoo us out. “Take as much time as you need. I know how hard it is to get a decent lunch around here in less than an hour. Go, do your thing.” She winks.

Oh. My. God. Does Leanne think we’re going to have a noontime hookup? A quickie? An afternoon delight?

I feel my cheeks flush red with embarrassment. That wink had a definite vibe of don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.