Page 128 of If You Love Me

“What the hell are we supposed to think? Yesterday Donnie came in with allegations, and today you show up married.” Vander Zee points to our hands.

“Think whatever you want, but Alexandria is mywife. That should tell you everything you need to know about our feelings for each other. Lexi and her personal welfare take precedence above all others, except for my daughter. They sit at the same level.”

I cover his hand. “I’d like to hear these allegations.”

Fielding sighs, and Vander Zee shifts around. Shilpa rolls her eyes.

“Donnie expressed concern that Lexi only took the job for financial opportunities,” Vander Zee says, keeping his face carefully neutral.

“Because it’s a better-paying job than my last one?” I ask. “Isn’t that how the job market and career growth work? Did he completely disregard the fact that I took a position in Niagara that paid significantly less than the one I had in Windsor so I didn’t have to uproot my sisters after we lost our mom and their father?”

“I’m explaining the allegations, not telling you I believe them.” Fielding’s jaw tics. “Donnie suggested that your friendships with the office staff and some of the personal ice sessions that included Roman were meant to…” He clears his throat. “…seduce him.”

I scoff. “Because seducing him in front of his teammates wouldn’t have garnered negative attention from the other players? Talk about ludicrous. Not to mention that Roman is a forty-year-old man with the ability to control his hormones, especially when he’s on the ice. We are both professionals who can andhave separated our personal feelings from our professional duties.” I turn to my husband. “Would you agree?”

His lip twitches. “I would.”

I turn back to Fielding. “What else did Donnie say?”

“He believes you’ve been planning this for some time. That you targeted Roman specifically and curated your friendships to get you closer to him.”

“Wow. That’s just…wow.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “So from his perspective, I’m what? A sociopath? Do you believe your star goalie, who mentors his teammates and who you regularly talk through game strategy with, would fall for someone with no moral compass?”

“This sounds like someone reaching because they didn’t get what they wanted.” Roman rests a protective arm across the back of my chair. “Lexi is a remarkable leader and an inspiration, which is what I and everyone sees when we look at her. She came to this city as the sole guardian of her two grieving sisters, while also grieving the loss of her mother. She made hockey history when she became an assistant coach. Do you not agree that it would be impossible to bear that load of responsibility alone?”

Shilpa turns her head and swallows thickly.

“Are you okay?” Vander Zee asks.

“I’m fine.” She takes a sip of water then turns her attention to Roman. “Do you understand the implications of your actions?”

“Absolutely,” Roman replies. “Donnie has been gunning for Lexi’s job from day one. He’s made a point of giving her his unsolicited advice about who she should be associating with more than once. Yourself included, Shilpa. Lexi and I have spent a lot of time together this season on the ice—because of her role, not some outlandish plan to seduce me. She’s an outstanding coach and member of our team. Our current position in the standings affirms that. Off the ice, she's a dedicated sister, parent, and friend. I fell in love with all of Lexi. I didn’t intend for it to happen. I tried to keep my distance, but she and I havehistory and a connection that is clearly impossible to deny, since we’re sitting here as husband and wife.”

“If the roles were reversed, this would be grounds for automatic dismissal,” Vander Zee says.

“You mean if I was the player and Roman was the coach?” I ask.

“I would have retired early to make this happen,” Roman jumps in.

“That’s why you came in and asked about the Hockey Academy and Ryker being ready,” Vander Zee muses.

Roman nods. “I floated the idea, but ultimately we decided, for the good of the team and Lexi’s well-being, that this was the better course of action.”

“You said you have history. What does that mean?” Shilpa asks.

I swallow my anxiety over this revelation, but I have to own it. “We met each other years ago, before I took the job. I didn’t believe it would interfere with my ability to handle my role with the team because it was so long ago, and brief.”

“Knew each other in what capacity?” Shilpa demands.

“We spent time together.” Roman remains evasive.

Shilpa looks to me. “Did you have an intimate relationship with Roman prior to accepting the position as assistant coach?”

“We did,” I admit.

“Why is this relevant?” Roman asks, trying to keep me from being interrogated most likely.

I squeeze his hand. “They’re trying to ascertain whether I joined the team with ulterior motives, as intimated by Donnie.”

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