Page 11 of Perfectly Grumpy

“Because you’re a rule-follower who acts like fun is a crime?”

“Okay, yes to the rule-following,” I concede, then lean toward her. “For the record, I happen to be veryfun.You just haven’t seen that side of me.”

She glances down at my feet. “Actually, I have. Nothing says ‘fun’ like a man in dog socks.”

I chuckle. “Sunny, this is just the beginning.”

She tilts her head. “Fine. You show me how fun you can be during this little PR makeover, and you can call me ‘Sunny’ all you want. Even in front of the team.”

I look at her dubiously. “This feels like a trap designed to force me into doing everything I despise.”

“Maybe,” she says sweetly. “But if you’re as fun as you claim, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Just then, the elevator jolts to life with a shudder. I let out a breath, relieved to be moving again. “Finally.” I stand as the doors slide open.

“And just when we were starting to bond,” she says, following me.

“Is that what you call it?Forcedbonding?” I say with a laugh.

“Well, I’ve never been stuck in an elevator with one of my players,” she says. “But you know this doesn’t get you out of your PR strategy.”

“Not if it involves a ridiculous photo shoot with a hedgehog.”

“Okay, the hedgehog is negotiable,” she says with a grin.

A message dings on my watch from Brax.Coach wants you on the ice ASAP.

“Sorry, Lauren,” I say, walking backwards down the hallway with surprising grace despite my socked feet. “Gotta bail on our meeting. Coach needs me. But this time, I’m taking the stairs.”

“But we haven’t discussed your PR plan yet,” she calls after me, heels clicking like she might actually chase me down.

I shoot her a grin, and her eyes slide to my dimples, causing her steps to falter just slightly.

“Sheriff, this isn’t over.”

“I’m counting on it, Sunny,” I reply, taking one last glimpse of her flustered smile before escaping down the steps.

FIVE

tate & lauren

To:Tate Foster

From:Lauren Williamson

Subject:You can’t get out of this

Dear Tate,

Since you avoided a meeting with me yesterday, you are cordially invited to the Magnolia Brew coffee shop at 8 a.m. tomorrow to discuss your new PR makeover.

Cinnamon buns are on me.

Fun socks are optional, but encouraged.

Cheerfully over-caffeinated,

Lauren

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