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I can’t help the grin that pulls at my lips. “But you do have an advantage over other candidates: a ready-made supply of hockey players who love helping the community, so that’s one job that shouldn’t be too tough.”
She lets out a humorless laugh. “You’re going to shoot down any objections I can think of, aren’t you?”
My grin widens. “They’re more like roadblocks, and yeah, I’m gonna do my damnedest to knock every one of them out of the way.”
What is wrong with me? Why do I care what job she lands or doesn’t land? I act like I’ve got some kind of stake in this girl’s future. I have to remind myself constantly that not only do I not have a place in her future, I shouldn’t even be talking to her. Period. Somehow, though, I’ve appointed myself her job counselor, and I can’t stop. “Tell me something. Do you like the organization? If you had the experience, would you want the job?”
“When you put it that way, yeah, I would. There’s a lot to like.”
“What does Peggy think?” I already know the answer because I know Peggy. She wouldn’t have set up an intro if she didn’t think Jackie was a good fit.
She lets out a little sigh. “After she and I talked, she said it was more about personality and she thinks mine would fit in really well. Team chemistry first, and the other stuff will come.”
Team chemistry. I can’t keep my gut from clenching with the reminder.
“Makes total sense to me, and Peggy knows what she’s talking about. She wouldn’t have suggested you interview if she didn’t believe you’re the right match.”
“She said my experience at the summer camps told her all she needed to know. Where do you know her from anyway?”
The question catches me off balance. “Peggy? We go way back. Before my Cali days.”
“Did she … Did you help kids there too?”
Agitation makes my muscles twitch. “A little, yeah. What did she tell you?”
“Nothing. Didn’t seem appropriate to press her for details about you when she was sizing me up for this opportunity.” Jackie’s mild laugh smooths my apprehensions.
“Did you want to press her for details about me?” Like an idiot, I’m grinning again. Never mind that Peggy knows more about me than I care to share, and it’s possible she’ll accidentally spill to Jackie
“Maybe. You’re a man of mystery, a split personality.”
“Yeah? How’s that?”
“Off the ice, you go for calm waters. On the ice, you like chaos.”
“I don’t like chaos. I am chaos,” I quip. “If I’d been one of the delinquents at your summer camp, I’d have given you a run for your money. In fact, I would have asked to be in your class just to torment you.”
Jackie lets loose a genuine laugh that warms me all over. “I have no doubt, Colby Chase.”
Not only do I like the sound of her laughter, but I love hearing my name on her lips. My ludicrous libido imagines her screaming it out while she’s in the throes from what my mouth and fingers are doing to her naked body.
Fuck. I need to end this call. Now.
“Um, sounds like my roommate’s about to walk in, so I’m gonna let you go. I’m glad the job thing’s looking up. Keep me posted, yeah?”
“Yeah. And Colby? Thank you. I mean that.”
A scoff escapes me. “I didn’t do anything, Jackie.”
“Yes, you did,” she says, her voice soft. “You pretend you’re not a big softie, but I see you.”
I swallow a knot in my throat. “Just do me a favor and don’t tell your brother.”
“About the job or about you being a softie?”
“Yes.”
She laughs again as she wishes me good night and hangs up.
