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She stopped right in front of him and stared up at him with a fire in her eyes. "You listen to me."
Her voice was strong and demanded and kind of turned him on, which was weird considering she was about to tell him he had to keep the team and the money or she would dump him.
"You see that ice?" She pointed to the rink behind her without turning around. "I have made good friends because of the money you pay Riley Rookwood to skate on that ice. Money he used to open a bakery that is a client of mine and run by friends of mine. Do you know what would happen if you give this team up?"
Maggie put her hands on her hips and stood a little taller. "I landed a huge contract because of this team. We hired an extra shift on game days because of this team. Giving up this team just because your cousins want it or you're uncomfortable being a billionaire or whatever would screw a lot of people that I care about."
Yep, Charlie had it wrong. She wasn't worried about the billion dollars she could get from Charlie. She was worried about everyone else who relied on him actually owning the team. People she cared about.
Except he cared about her too and that was a problem.
"Maggie."
She held her hand up again to stop him from talking. She was doing that a lot tonight, but he kind of liked it.
"I think we both need to accept that whatever is going on between us will have to be put on ice for awhile."
"Put on ice?"
He quirked his head to the side and was pleased that he could pull a smile small from the fiery Maggie.
"Put on ice," she repeated. "And that's OK."
"Is it?" he asked. "Because I don't like that plan."
"Why not?"
"Because I want all of this. This team and you."
Her face softened a bit and she stepped closer. Gone was the fire as she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Get this team first," she told him. "You love this team. This is your team. There are players and fans and bakers who depend on you owning this team. So do whatever you have to so you have this team."
Charlie nodded and smiled down at her. "OK."
"Besides." She stood up taller and reached for his shirt to straighten the collar. "I have a new client who is quite demanding and is taking up my time with cookies and cupcakes and things."
"Black cherry chocolate cake?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "They are so demanding about that black cherry chocolate cake," she said with a smile. "Which is ridiculous because that cake seems to have it out for certain people."
"It hates me."
"It really does." She gave him a small smile. "But don't worry about that, OK? Just worry about your team."
Charlie leaned in close. "And then can I worry about you?"
Maggie nodded. "Then we can worry about us."
Charlie couldn't help but pull himself close to her, wrapping his arm around her waist and burying his head in her shoulder. "Thank you."
She snuggled into the crook of his neck in a way that made him feel like this was how they belonged together. This is how it was supposed to be.
But then she pulled away for just a moment and smiled up at him before pulling him down to kiss her. Her lips were sweet and gentle but there was something else there. Something fiery and warm. If he could call it anything, it would be potential. There was potential for something more. He just needed to get what he wanted. The team first and Maggie would be waiting for him.
Maggie pulled away again but this time it was for good -- or at least for now.
"I have to go." Her voice was soft and there was a bit of remorse behind it. "New contract and all that."
