Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 114951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Ariana jumped as though she’d been caught stealing a signed jersey from our trophy case when the attention of the room swung to her. She recovered quickly, her smile wide and lovely as she held up a hand in a polite wave to those looking at her.
But again, I swore I saw it — a slip in the performance, the mask faltering just long enough to glimpse the woman beneath it.
“It’s a program near to our hearts, focused on rest and mental health for our city’s youth. Thanks to a generous donation from one of our longtime partners, we’ll have an expanded budget to reach even more families in need.”
Cameras flashed again, a murmur breaking out among the crowd. Someone murmured, “Wow, that’s great,” as Nathan nodded with a beaming smile.
I looked to Ariana once more, and wondered why the joy looked performative to me. If anything I used to know about her remained true, this would be a dream for her. She loved to work in the community. It was all she’d ever wanted.
That only sent more questions swirling through my head. Had she ever finished her degree? Did she go into social work like she’d planned? Was that what she did now — or was this it? The fact that Nathan had her positioned front and center on this project made something uneasy twist in my gut. Did she have a job at all, or was she just another extension of him?
“We’re not just building a winning team,” Nathan added, his voice booming. “We’re building a legacy — on and off the ice.”
I felt my jaw lock as he continued, heat rushing sharp and fast through my blood. It took real effort not to react — not to shift, not to say something reckless, not to knock that polished grin straight off his face. I curled my fingers into my palm, nails biting into skin, grounding myself in the sting of it.
Then his hand came down on my shoulder, firm and proprietary, and I had to fight the sudden, vivid urge to shrug him off — or worse, to see how easily his fingers would break.
He squeezed, all smiles for the cameras, like we were allies instead of adversaries. “Me and this guy,” he said, flashing the room that same confident grin, “we’re going to bring the Cup home to Tampa this year.”
I forced the best smile I could muster as the room erupted with more questions, but our PR team called the end of the conference, instructing the press where they could go for further information.
I stood instantly, fastening the button on my suit jacket before shaking hands with Nathan and posing for a few photos. Then, we were ushered out the back to the next room over, where staff waited to debrief.
Ariana slid in wordlessly, her husband cheerfully boasting about the press already. He had his phone out and was reading quote after quote about how he was being called a bold, daring visionary.
I exerted more energy than I ever had in the weight room just trying not to roll my eyes.
The moment Nathan realized Ariana was with us, he clapped for her like she was the star of the show, pulling her in for a swift kiss before hooking a hand around her hip.
“Well, did I surprise you, my love?” he asked, his grin a permanent thing.
Ariana’s smile was demure as ever. “You certainly did.”
“And are you pleased?”
“It’s a lovely initiative,” she answered.
“And the perfect thing to keep you busy and get you back in the swing of things,” Nathan said, thumbing her chin. “See? I told you I know what you need.”
Ariana wore a closed-lip smile, but leaned up on her toes to kiss her husband.
I watched all of this from the corner of my eye, all the while listening to Kozak fill me in on how Wood took the news earlier. My assistant was just as gutted as I was to lose Wood, but we had no choice but to take it in stride. I assured him we’d figure it out, one step at a time, and then excused myself from the conversation with a quick squeeze of his shoulder.
I swung to Nathan and Ariana next.
“Congratulations on the Sweet Dreams donation,” I said to Nathan. “Maven has put so much into that, I know she’ll be thrilled to hear there is even more to work with now.” I slid my gaze to Ari next. “And I know she’ll be over the moon to have you as her partner.”
“Ariana will be leading, in fact,” Nathan corrected. “As you know, Maven has her hands full these days with a nearly one-year-old. She has asked to take a significant step back. She still wants to be involved, of course, as well as Grace, but they will both take orders from our new general here.”