Page 40 of Body Check

As much as Gavin liked and respected Connor, he’d half-expected him to shy away from it. But this relationship reallydidseem to be agreeing with him, like Jesse’s love and affection was a cool oasis he drank greedily from after being parched for a very long time.

Gavin stifled a chuckle at his overly poetic and fanciful thoughts. Well, itfeltaccurate, but what did he know about happy, healthy relationships?

He thought of his own failed marriage to Rory. All he could do was hope Jesse and Connor would do better at maintaining the relationship than they had.

When the conversation reached a natural lull a few minutes later, Gavin smiled at the group. “Well, I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your evening.” He held out a hand to Ethan. “Great to meet you both.”

He shook both their hands again and Amanda’s tone was warm as she said, “We’re looking forward to coming to the game tomorrow night.”

Despite the two-day break, Gavin wasn’t feeling terribly optimistic about them pulling out a win, but he smiled, nodded, and faked it, calling out one final “good night!” before he turned toward the elevators.

When he stepped around the corner where they were located, he unexpectedly came face-to-face with Dakota.

“Hi,” Gavin said. They hadn’t had a chance to talk since they went to the club last night and he wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate their interactions now.

“Hey.” Dakota looked equally surprised as he punched theUpbutton. “Just getting in for the night?”

“It’s not that late, is it?” Gavin glanced at his watch. “Only a few minutes after nine.”

They’d been out until the wee hours last night, although to give everyone credit, no one had actually appeared hungover this morning at practice.

Hoyt had worked them hard, but everyone had kept up fine.

“Later in Boston,” Dakota pointed out. “Although I have to admit, I feel wide-awake at the moment. My body hardly knows which way is up on road trips like this. I can only imagine how the guys deal with it.”

“Yes. It can be a little disorienting.” Gavin leaned in, speaking quietly in Dakota’s ear. “And for the record, I got back from a dinner meeting with Jed Reilly.”

When Dakota looked at him blankly, he added, “GM of the LA Stars?”

Dakota gave him a helpless shrug. “Ahh, sorry. I don’t always know all of the names of the head office people on other teams. Hockey wasn’t really my sport before I started the private training and working for the Harriers. I’m trying to get caught up but …”

“It’s a lot to absorb,” Gavin agreed. The elevator doors slid open, and he gestured for Dakota to precede him. “Whatwasyour sport?”

“Soccer.”

“Interesting. What made you choose that?” Gavin selected their floor and another person got on, picking the floor two below them.

Dakota shrugged. “Soccer is popular in Seattle and, really, the Pacific Northwest in general. Plus, my sister was really into it growing up. Wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

“Fair enough.” The elevator doors closed. “So what wereyoudoing in the lobby? Unless that’s none of my business.”

Dakota chuckled. “No big secret. I was asking about the hours of the pool area. I know I probably could have found it on the website or in the booklet on the desk in our rooms, but I wanted to stretch my legs.”

“Oh nice. Planning to do some laps before bed?”

“I was more interested in the jetted spa, actually. But yes, I’m thinking about changing and heading up there.” Dakota glanced at his phone. “I’ve got about an hour before they close.”

“Is that something you like to do regularly? Soak in the spa?” Gavin asked.

“It is. I find it relaxing. You?”

“Oh, I’ve enjoyed spending some time in them as well.” Gavin smiled, thinking of several memorable occasions on vacations with Rory. They might have had their struggles, but when they’d burned hot, they’d been incandescent.

Dakota’s eyebrows lifted. “Why do I get the feeling you didn’t really haverelaxationin mind when you were in them?”

“No idea,” Gavin said, widening his eyes into his most earnest look. “Besides, I think we already established … certain activities can beveryrelaxing.”

Dakota ducked his head, hiding a smirk. “You make a good point.”

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