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  With my mind made up, I took the elevator up to her office. I walked with feigned confidence and knocked on her door.

  She called me in. Would she say that if she knew it was me?

  I opened the door and slipped in. I gently closed the door before she had a chance to protest.

  She was beautiful. The fight I’d had during practice to disappeared when I looked into her chocolatey eyes.

  “Chloe.”

  Her hands hovered over her keyboard as if they were waiting to see if they should keep working or throw a punch at me.

  “Reese.”

  “Are you busy?”

  She looked at the screen in front of her then back to me. “No. Do you need help with your foundation? I started some of the paperwork. I just need some information from you.”

  That would have been a great reason to come talk to her. I wished I had planned ahead instead of storming into her office. “That’s not why I’m here.”

  She cocked her head. “Oh.”

  “This isn’t working.”

  Her brows pinched together, giving away her worry. “The team? Reese, you haven’t given it enough time.”

  I sat down across from her and fought back a smile. “Not the team.”

  She leaned forward, her hands folded on her desk. “Then what?”

  “This.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and I smirked. She was adorable when she was frustrated.

  “What, Reese? Use your words.”

  I laughed. “My mom used to say that exact thing to me.”

  She almost smiled. I could see the corners of her mouth tremble. “Mine too.”

  I sat back and crossed my ankle over my knee. “I have a problem with the current situation and it’s effecting my game.”

  “I noticed.”

  Of course, she did.

  “I was told I needed to get myself together and fix whatever was on my mind.”

  “Good. I think you should.”

  She still wasn’t catching on.

  “Well, I’m trying.”

  She looked confused. “Do you need my help?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I can’t fix it without you.”

  She sat up straight. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  That was Chloe. Always putting other people first. Was there a limit to what she would do for someone in need? I hoped so. Thinking of her getting taken advantage of brought on a new sort of anger. One I hadn’t experienced before. Was this what it was like to care about someone? The primal urge to protect her was undeniable.

  “I just need one thing.”

  “Anything.”

  “Go out with me.”

  “Sure, where?” She reached for her purse, but I held up my hand to stop her.

  “Not now.”

  “When?”

  “Friday night.”

  “Okay.”

  “Wear something nice.” I winked and stood.

  “Wait, is it a charity event?”

  “No. It’s dinner.”

  “For who?”

  “Us.”

  I could practically see her mind going into overdrive trying to understand.

  “Chloe?”

  She blinked up at me.

  “I’m asking you on a date.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  I opened the door and left before she had a chance to turn me down. By the time I got to the elevator I was laughing out loud. Her reaction was priceless. No other woman I knew would ever hear the words “go out with me” and assume it was a favor or for a charity.

  Now I had to find the perfect place to take her. Somewhere private. Somewhere the entire team wouldn’t be.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chloe

  Getting his address was easy. Getting into his building was easy. Finding the courage to knock on the door? Not so much.

  When Reese opened it, he stepped back. Good, I caught him off guard. It was his turn to have someone show up and force themselves into his personal space.

  “What are you doing here?” He was smiling but his eyes darted around like he was looking for someone else.

  “We need to talk.” I held my ground. I almost pushed into his apartment to get out of the hall but figured that would be a bit too much.

  “How did you find me?”

  “Your address isn’t hard to look up.” I smiled innocently as his eyes widened.

  “On the Internet?” His panic was entertaining.

  I almost lied. I wanted to, but that would be cruel.

  “I got it from one of the assistants. She had to send out the gala invitations, so she had yours.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “Do you want to stay off the grid or something?”

  “Nah. I’m just surprised you made the effort. You could have just talked to me tomorrow.”

  “No. I really couldn’t.”

  “Is something wrong?” He grabbed my shoulders and looked me over.

  “No.” I felt bad I’d freaked him out. “I just knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight if I didn’t talk to you.”

  “You’d be up all night thinking about me?” He winked and I almost left. This. The cockiness. The ego. This was why I didn’t date players.

  “Ha. You wish.” I looked down so he couldn’t see my cheeks flush.

  “I do.”

  I ignored that comment. I had to for my own sanity. “I’m worried.”

  He leaned against the doorframe. He still hadn’t invited me in. “About what?”

  “About what the guys will think.”

  His eyebrow raised. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been strict about my no dating rule. You aren’t the first guy to ask me out from the team.”

  He seemed surprised. Was it such a shock anyone else would be interested in me?

  “I’ve always turned them down.”

  “Until me?”

  “Yeah. Until you.”

  “Can’t resist me?” He wagged his brows and laughed after a few seconds.

  I swatted at him. “Stop.”

  He cleared his throat and nodded. “Okay sorry. I’m honored you’re bending your rule for me.”

  “I’m not bending it. I’m full on breaking it.”

  “I know.” His smirk grew.

  I wanted to wipe it from his face. With kisses. What was wrong with me? This man was messing with my mind. I needed to leave. “I just don’t want to give them the wrong idea.”

  His eyebrows rose. “What would that be?”

  Wasn’t it obvious? “I don’t want them to take it personally that I didn’t go out with them.”

  “Well, it is personal.”

  “No.” Was he always this difficult? If he kept it up my crush, or whatever this was, would quickly disappear.

  “Yes. You’re going out with me but refused them. That’s personal.”

  I groaned. “I never felt anything with them.”

  His smirk grew into a full grin. “But you feel something with me?”

  Oh boy. This would max out his ego. “Yes.”

  “Me too.”

  “So, you’ll keep it quiet?” I bit my lip waiting for him to respond, and he took his sweet time considering.

  “For now.”

  That was the best I was going to get. “Thanks.”

  I turned to leave.

  “Do you want to stay?”

  “I shouldn’t.” I really, really shouldn’t. Erik would send out a search party if I didn’t come home soon.

  “Okay.”

  Okay? Guys were never this calm when I turned them down. I guess accepting a date eased the burn of turning him down for this.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  I got home and hurried to my bedroom. Erik’s car wasn’t in his spot, so I had time by myself to pick out what I was going to wear tomorrow night and what my excuse would be.

  Erik would probably
have a date anyway, so I wasn’t too worried about him getting suspicious, but I wanted a story ready when he asked me where I was going. Maybe I could tell him I was going out with Kristen. We didn’t get together often out of work, but it wasn’t rare enough to raise questions. I’d go with that.

  I went into my closet and stared at the dresses. He said to wear something nice. How nice was nice though? Cocktail? Black tie? Who knew.

  Reese knew.

  I didn’t have his number. But I could get it. I sent a message to the front office administrator and waited. A minute later I had what I needed.

  I called but he didn’t answer, so I tried again.

  “Hello?” I could hear the hesitation in his voice. He sounded different too. Like he was trying to disguise it.

  “Reese?”

  “Uhhh…”

  “It’s Chloe.”

  I heard him sigh. “First my home and now my phone.”

  “I know. I should have reversed the order.”

  He chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know.”

  “What can I do for you? Or should I let my agent know I have a new stalker?”

  I laughed. He didn’t.

  “If anyone’s the stalker it’s you.”

  “Sure.”

  I laughed and this time he joined in. “How nice is nice?”

  “Am I supposed to understand that question?”

  “You said to dress nice.”

  There was a pause. “Okay.”

  “That can be taken several ways. I need further clarification.” I looked over my clothes wishing I could pull the answer from him without the explanation.

  I heard him mumble something but chose to ignore it.

  “Nice is a pretty dress.”

  “How formal?”

  “You’re not going to prom.”

  I moved away from my gowns. “Okay so like a cocktail dress.”

  “I don’t know what that means.”

  “Of course not.” I closed my eyes and sighed. “Like a dress I’d wear to work or fancier?”

  “Whatever you want, Chloe. I don’t care.”

  I wanted to reach through the phone and shake him. “I want to be comfortable wherever we go, and I won’t be if I’m over- or underdressed.”

  More mumbling. I was pretty sure he swore.

  “Wear a dress just a bit nicer than what you’d wear to work.”

  I moved to my date dresses. Okay.”

  “Did that really help?”

  “Kind of. What are you going to wear?” I pushed hangers back so I could look at what I had.

  “I haven’t thought about it.”

  Ugh, men. “Think about it now.”

  “This is already the strangest date I’ve been on.”

  “We haven’t gone out yet.”

  “I’m aware.”

  We were off to a great start. “Just decide.”

  He sighed. “A suit.”

  Now we were getting somewhere. “With a tie?”

  “No.”

  “What color?”

  “I thought we agreed this isn’t prom.”

  Why was he being so difficult? Hadn’t he had a girlfriend before? These were normal questions. “I know, but if you wear a brown suit I don’t want to wear a black dress.”

  “Who wears brown suits?”

  “People?”

  “In the nineties.”

  I shrugged. “Men’s fashion is not my forte. Erik is way too opinionated for me to even attempt to get involved. So what color?”

  “Navy blue.”

  My mind conjured an image. I was not disappointed. “Good choice.”

  “Are we done now?”

  “Sure.”

  “Okay. Goodnight, Chloe.”

  “Goodnight.”

  I hung up and pulled out a white, lace dress. Hopefully it would work.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Reese

  Knowing how much thought and energy Chloe was putting into this date was putting pressure on me. I was just planning on going to a restaurant, somewhere fancy, but now I was panicking.

  “Hey, Olli.” I hurried to our goalie before he left the locker room. Practice was over, and I managed to not completely suck, and I knew the guys would want to get home as soon as possible for our last weekend before the season started.

  “What’s up, Murray?”

  No one else was around so I didn’t have to worry about anyone overhearing.

  “I’ve got a date tonight.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “You move fast.”

  I ignored the comment and moved on. “I want to take her somewhere special. Not just a restaurant or something.”

  “You really like her?”

  I wasn’t about to get gushy with him. “Yeah.”

  He nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “You got any ideas?”

  “Yeah. I’ll make a call.”

  “To me?”

  He chuckled. “Let me put some things in place. I’ll give you a call when it’s ready.”

  With that he turned and walked away. I should have stopped him. I should have demanded more answers, but he seemed so confident.

  On my drive home, I had to stop myself from checking my phone. Olli was a good guy. He wouldn’t flake out on me. I should probably have a backup plan in mind though, just in case.

  I parked and waited for my phone to ring.

  Maybe a restaurant wouldn’t be the worst thing. I could call ahead and ask for a private area.

  No. That was lame.

  This was a huge deal for me. I didn’t date. Especially not the sister of a teammate. Chloe was breaking her rules for me, too. I had to go all out. Make sure she didn’t regret this. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me. We’d only known each other a couple of weeks, but I already knew there was something between us. Something worth fighting for.

  My phone lit up and vibrated in the cup holder.

  “Hello?”

  “Be at the Red Butte Gardens at seven-thirty.”

  “The what?”

  “Google it.”

  “Fine. What’s going to be there?”

  “A surprise.”

  That wasn’t something I was interested in. “Come on, man. What am I supposed to tell her?”

  “It’s a surprise.” He laughed but I didn’t think he was funny. “Calm down. I have a whole night planned for you guys.”

  “How did you do that in just a few minutes.”

  “You haven’t been around very long, so I won’t hold it against you that you don’t know this. But I’m a pretty big deal.”

  I laughed. “To some people, maybe.”

  “Hey! I can just as easily call them back and cancel.”

  “No.” That was the last thing I needed. “I appreciate it.”

  “Anytime, Murray. Have fun.”

  “Thanks.”

  I hung up and hurried up to my apartment. I had an hour to shower and get ready and pick Chloe up.

  My suit was pressed and waiting for me in my living room. This was one of the many times I appreciated assistants.

  I hurried and got ready and was riding up the elevator with five minutes to spare. It wasn’t until I knocked on the door I realized Erik might answer. How was I going to explain this?

  My heart was in my throat as the door opened up. Chloe looked gorgeous in a simple white dress. It was perfect, hugging her curves. Her smile dissolved the worries I’d had about tonight.

  “Are you ready?” I couldn’t stop staring at her. I could spend the whole night right here appreciating the view and go home a very happy man.

  “Yeah.” She stepped out and locked the door behind her. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.” I smiled to myself using the words Olli had said to me while I pressed the button for the elevator.

  “A surprise?” I couldn’t tell if it was concern in her voice or excitement.

  “Don’t you trust me
?”

  “Of course.” She didn’t hesitate. Either she said it out of instinct or she really did. She had no reason not to, but it was rare for someone to give away their trust so easily.

  At my car, I opened her door for her before hurrying to my side. I was more nervous than I was playing my first NHL game. It was just a date. I could do this.

  I looked up directions for the gardens on the Internet before coming over. It was closer than I thought it would be. I was glad that Olli had thought of it. I turned down the street and hoped she wouldn’t guess we where we were going, but she knew the area better than I did. About ten minutes later I caught her looking at me with narrowed eyes, as if she was examining me.

  “Are you taking me to the gardens?”

  I couldn’t deny it, so I just nodded. “Have you been there before?”

  “A few times for events, but never just on my own.”

  “Me neither.”

  She laughed at my lame joke. “Well, obviously you haven’t been before. You’ve been here for a few weeks, but I doubt this was on the top of your to-do list.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Then what gave you this idea?”

  I didn’t say anything at first. I couldn’t think of anything fast enough. That was something else I should have planned for.

  “It was one of the players, wasn’t it?” She paused for a moment. “It was either Porter or Olli. None of the other guys would have thought of a place like this.”

  I could practically see her mind working. “Do you know everything about everyone on the team?”

  “Yes, I do. It’s my job.”

  “Well, then.” That made me just a bit nervous. “Hopefully you haven’t done this before.”

  She smiled and reached for my hand. I squeeze her delicate fingers. She didn’t pull away, even when I pulled into the gardens and parked were Olli had instructed me.

  “Stay.” I held up my hand and she looked at me as if I might be a little insane. She wasn’t wrong.

  I got out and rushed to her side to open her door. I offered her my hand, and when we got out I laced my fingers through hers. I led us to the pathway on the left. Olli said it would be on the far side of the garden.

  “How beautiful!” Chloe stopped and admired a section of flowers.