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“Yes, sir. That’s the plan.”
“Good. I have the banners already ordered for the finals.”
I nod. “Good. We’ll need them.”
“I’m depending on you.”
“Yes, sir.”
We share a grin. “Alex was a good move,” he tells me, and I nod in agreement.
“As much as I hated to take him back from the Assassins, I knew we couldn’t win without him.”
“You were right. Even if the damn little shit knocked up my granddaughter.”
I press my lips together, hiding all emotion. “Congratulations?”
A soft chuckle leaves his lips. “Thanks. Though, she’s pissed at me. I tried to say she couldn’t work for us while being with him, but I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t do that to her. I think I say that shit just to test them. Alex came to her defense real fast, and while I already like the guy, I think I’ll like him even more as the father of my grandchild.”
“Alex is a good dude. He loves Elliot deeply. He tells me all the time. Really annoying about it,” I joke, and then I pause.
When do I joke?
Dan nods. “I know, but being with a hockey player isn’t easy. All the traveling, the mental game. I don’t want that for my girls, but they’ve all ended up with one. Well, except my sweet Clara. I’m still holding out hope she’ll find herself a rich man whom I can get to invest.”
His laughter makes me sick. Clara’s name on his lips sets my teeth on edge, and I’m not sure why. He is her grandfather, not competition, yet he could keep her away from me. I also don’t like the idea of her with anyone else. I swallow past the lump in my throat as he asks, “How’s it going with her? She’s a good girl, right?”
Oh, you have no idea how good of a girl she is.
I school my features as I meet his gaze. “Gretzky and Gordie love her. She’s been great.”
He nods proudly, his eyes light. “That’s wonderful to hear. I have to say, these wins look good on you, Coach. I haven’t ever seen you smile this much.”
I look away as I blow out a breath, and I have the urge to tell him it isn’t the wins but his granddaughter instead. Maybe if I’m honest and tell him my intentions, it won’t blindside him. Not one of his granddaughters ever told him about their love interests, just waited until he found out. Maybe Clara and I will be different?
I don’t tell him, though, since maybe I should ask her first. Yeah, she said the bit about being her only customer, but that’s sex. Fucking hell, this girl has me all in my head. Before I can say anything, though, Dan’s phone rings. He waves to me, answering it and leaving my office.
Leaving me with my thoughts.
Of Clara.
I turn my phone over to see another text from her. It’s another photo of her, cuddling with Darcy, Gordie, and Gretzky out in her dog park. While she has clothes on, an athletic outfit of shorts and a tank, it isn’t what she’s wearing that has my mouth going dry.
It’s that fucking smile of hers.
A mix of happiness and something sneaky.
Like she has a secret.
Only for me.
I want to know them all.
CHAPTER 18
Clara
Unsure if I can last two hours before getting some food, I make sure the boys are all set at the playhouse before I head into town for a smoothie and maybe a muffin. Hopefully Drippy Drip has their pomegranate-orange muffins. They are my favorite. I almost consider calling Riggs to see if he wants anything, but that seems a little too girlfriend/boyfriend when he only just fucked me stupid this morning. I don’t want him to think the muffin is a reward for a job well done. No, I want to reward him in all kinds of different ways.
