Page 19 of The Au Pair Affair

“Sorry folks,” chuckled a man approaching from the far end of the roof. “She’s about finished, just needs a few more laps. Don’t let her trip you up.”

“We won’t.” Burgess put his hand out for a shake and got a firm one in return. “How are you keeping, Hank?”

“Good. Good.”

Burgess tipped his head at her. “This is Tallulah. She’s a friend.”

“Sir Savage has friends?” Hank hooted at his own joke. “I guess I’ve seen it all. Nice to meet you, Tallulah.”

“Nice to meet you.” They shook hands. “Cute pup.”

“Thank you. She’s a handful, that’s for sure.” As though he knew the exact moment his dog would run out of steam, Hank hunkered down and scooped up the canine with one arm, where it panted happily, its pink tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth. “How is the team looking this season, Burgess? That pair of rookies you picked up have me excited.”

“Honestly, they’re annoying as hell, but they can play, so I put up with them.”

Hank let out another hoot, delivering a slap to Burgess’s shoulder. “And I know you’ve got some gas left in the tank, too, old man. They couldn’t have a better veteran to teach them the ropes. I hope they know it!”

“I’m sure you’ll yell it at them from the stands on opening night,” Burgess said dryly.

“You’re damn right I will.” He stroked his dog’s head. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. She likes to watchWheelafter her zoomies run out.”

Burgess nodded, but he was looking at Tallulah. “Good night, Hank.”

“Night.”

As soon as the roof door closed behind the tenant, Burgess cleared his throat. “Are you still good to stay up here?”

Tallulah registered her steady pulse, the lack of cloying fear that usually showed up when there was a possibility of being alone with a man she didn’t know and trust. There was a baseline hum of wariness, just not enough worry to return downstairs. Besides, shedidneed to speak to him. She hadn’t decided yet whether to move in, but no matter what decision she made, she was hoping Burgess wouldn’t mind if she took Lissa out for ice cream once in a while. And again, the fact that Burgess was taking her comfort into consideration went a long way. Was she really starting to feel secure around him? Already?

“Yes,” she responded slowly. “I’m good.”

Tallulah walked to the far end of the roof and propped her forearms on the perimeter wall, briefly closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation of the wind picking up her hair and blowing it out behind her. When she opened them again, Burgess stood to her left, watching her face with an unreadable expression that he quickly disguised with his usual stoicism.

“So why are the rookies on your team so annoying?” she asked, kind of hoping to stall having to make a choice—move in or move on.

Burgess rolled a shoulder that could have belonged to an ox. “They’re just young and cocky. They haven’t been humbled yet and it shows.”

“Interesting. What does it take to humble a hockey player?”

He leaned forward onto his elbows, seemingly mulling over her question. “Time.”

That wasn’t the answer she’d expected and she waited, hoping he’d elaborate.

“They have to experience a few hard losses to appreciate winning. The greatest players are great because they can cope with losing. They’ve been there, been humbled by getting crowned second or third best.” He shrugged. “You can take home the first-place trophy, but it won’t be as sweet if you’ve never experienced second. That hasn’t happened to them yet.”

“Have you told them any of this?”

Burgess made a sound that called to mind a garbage disposal. “I’m not sure why everyone thinks guiding these kids is my job.”

“Because you’re . . .”

“The veteran.” He laughed without humor. “Believe me, I know.”

Tallulah studied his face, the downturned corners of his mouth. “You don’t like being called a veteran.” He grunted in affirmation. “Why? Just... vanity?”

“Vanity?” he repeated, looking like he’d swallowed a fly.

“Geez. Never mind.”

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