Page 135 of Hard to Get

“Yes.”

“Tennis.”

I nod. “But big tennis. Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open. Their hardware—LED screens, LCD panels, kiosks—and software could definitely be adapted to hockey.”

He taps his fingers on his desk. “After all that work we had Adam do for us, we’re going to dump it and tell him to start over?”

The fact that he’s asking that question means he’s thinking about it. Excitement swoops in my belly.

“Possibly,” I say calmly. “Like I said, there’s a lot more work to do.”

“You are a fireball.”

I laugh. “Um, thank you?”

“Yeah. Okay. I’m interested.”

I pull in a slow breath through my nose and let it out. “Good. Thanks for hearing me out.”

Jayden and his friends are going to an arcade to play games tonight and he asked if I wanted to join them for something to eat. I guess this is the hard launch.

It’s a walkable distance from my place, but it’s damp and cold out, so I bundle up for the trek.

I blink at the darkness when I enter the building, although it was dark outside too, and look around the extensive space. It looks like there are different areas for different activities: mini golf, darts, pool… axe throwing? Yikes.

Jayden spots me and jogs over. “Hey.” He gives me a kiss. “Let’s get you a wristband.”

I have no idea what this place is about as I’ve never been here and I’m a little intimidated, but Jayden guides me around. Cam and Laurent are playing pool. They pause their game for Jayden to introduce me to Cam.

Cam is Jayden’s defence partner. I’ve seen him on TV, but in person, he’s even better looking. His dark-blond hair is cut in a shaggy style that hangs over his forehead and brushes the collar of his shirt. His short, trimmed beard and moustache are the same dark gold. He greets me with a handshake and an aloof smile.

I’ve already met Laurent, once, that day at Jack and Sky. He’s much friendlier, with a sexy French accent, a wide smile, and a tangle of dark curls. “Nice to see you again. How is your pool game?”

I shrug. “I haven’t played for a long time.”

“Next game, you and I will play the winner,” Jayden says.

We watch Cam and Laurent finish their game, talking quietly.

“I told Troy about my proposal this afternoon,” I say.

His face lights up. “Was he blown away?”

“Yeah, I think he was.” I shimmy my shoulders.

“I knew he would be.”

“It’s not settled but at least if I’m saying no to the sports betting, I have something else to offer.” I meet his eyes. “Thank you for that.”

“I didn’t do anything. You’re the one with the brilliant ideas.”

“You made me think about things differently.”

I grin.

“I did something today, too. I talked to Duper.”

“Ohhh. How did that go?” I know he was worried about it. He still doesn’t know his new coach that well and wasn’t sure how his input would be received.