Page 8 of Slap Shot

“Gotcha. Well, I don’t have any restaurant connections,” Piper tells me, and my heart sinks to my feet.

That increasingly familiar dread is back, and the glimmer I saw ten minutes ago snuffs out.

“I totally understand. Thank you so much for?—”

“If you’re open to talking more about a private chef gig, I might have something that could possibly work for you.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah. There’s a DC Stars player who’s in need of some help in the kitchen. He’s a really nice guy, but he can’t keep anyone around for longer than a week,” she says, and I frown.

“That doesn’t sound promising. Is he a micromanager? Does he only eat food with human blood in it?”

Piper bursts out laughing. “No, but that would make him a hell of a lot more interesting. The people he’s hired in the past haven’t had his best interests at heart, and he keeps striking out on the chef front. Don’t tell my boyfriend, but he’s my favorite guy on the team.” She squeals then lets out a yelp. “Sorry. My other half heard me say that.”

“Are you dating one of the players?” I ask, smiling at the affection she’s obviously being shown. I remember those early days in a relationship when you can’t keep your hands off each other. How everything is easy and fun. “Which one?”

“Liam Sullivan. The goalie. He’s allergic to having a good time, and I’ll do anything to push his buttons. Anyway. Let’s get back to you. How do you feel about cooking for one person instead of an entire restaurant?”

“I don’t have experience, but it can’t be much harder than pushing out eight hundred plates of food a night for a full dining room. I’m definitely interested in hearing more.”

“Eight hundred plates? My god. Are you Superwoman?”

“Hardly.” I smile and put her on speakerphone so I can pull up the Notes app. “How would this work? Should I set up an interview or a Zoom call? He’ll want to meet me, right? Is knowing anything about hockey part of the criteria for thisposition, because I can’t tell you shit about the sport. Like, I know there are sticks, but that’s about it.”

“Not having a clue about hockey is going to earn you a lot of brownie points. Can you name anyone on the team?”

“Um. Liam, obviously, but only because you just mentioned him. And Maverick… Molder? Miller? Something like that. Lucyloveshim. There’s a blond guy too, isn’t there?”

“There is a blond guy,” she says, but she doesn’t add anything else about him. “This is going to sound slightly unhinged, but are you free to come out to DC for a few days? The team starts training camp on Monday, so they’ll be in town for a bit before they hit the road for the preseason. I can introduce you to him in a setting that doesn’t feel so formal. If you two get along, you can set up an interview so he can ask you some questions.”

“There is literally nothing on my schedule for the foreseeable future, so I can fly out whenever is convenient for you all. Except…” I play with my comforter and gnaw on my bottom lip. “I have Lucy. My daughter. She can stay with my parents while I’m out of town, but I’m a single mom and her sole caretaker. I’m not going to uproot her life until I know this is something that could work. If Idoget this position, she would have to move with me. Knowing that, do you think I should still interview?”

“Yes,” Piper says without a second thought. “She’d be welcome here if you decide to take the job, and that’s something you can talk about with him. I’ve known him for years, and I meant it when I said he’s one of my favorite guys not just on the team, but in my life. I promise Lucy joining you won’t have any impact on if he wants to hire you.”

This conversation with Piper has lit a spark in me. I never thought I’d consider DC as a landing spot, but the more we talk, the more I feel like it’s what I should do. What Ineedto do.

I’ve never been someone who takes a giant leap, and trying this new and exciting thing might be the kickstart I’ve been searching for.

“That’s… that’s really good to hear.” I swallow and glance up at the ceiling. “A move like this is so scary to think about, but that might be a good thing. Change isn’t always bad.”

“I remember feeling stagnant in my career, but a big change that terrified the hell out of me at the time ended up being the best thing to ever happen to me. I want that for you too,” Piper says, and I notice howeasyshe is to talk to. She’s genuine. Authentic in her enthusiasm and gracious in her sympathy. Hell, she answered the phone for a number she doesn’t know. That speaks to her character. “Even if that’s not in DC.”

“Do you think I’m out of my mind for getting on a plane to interview for a position I’m not sure I’m qualified for?” I ask. “Like, this is kind of absurd.”

“No.” There’s a smile behind Piper’s voice. The soft inflection in the single word makes me smile too. “I think you’re brave and strong for doing something so far out of your comfort zone. I can already tell we’re going to be good friends, Madeline.”

“I’m going to get emotional.” I wipe under my eyes with my thumb. “I’m sorry. It’s been a hard week, and it’s difficult to stay positive when I’m considering someone other than myself.”

“I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

“Could you send me some hotels in the area? And any other information you think I might need?” I ask.

“Hotels? No way. You’re not going to spend money when you have a daughter to take care of. You’ll stay with us. We have too much space, and you’re more than welcome here.”

“Really?”

“Really. Liam doesn’t like a lot of people, but he’ll get over it.”

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