Page 46 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

“Doughnuts?” I held out a bag from Tim Hortons.

She looked up from the paperwork on her desk. “What do you want?”

“Why are you so suspicious? Maybe I’m just repaying you for all of the food of yours I’ve eaten.”

“Maybe. And maybe you want something. I can’t imagine what it is though. A week off? Permission to sign some guy you found in Europe? Someone to wash your Jag?” She tapped her pen on the desk. “Spill.”

“Wait. How did you know I had a Jag? I don’t even drive it in the winter.” My one big extravagance had been buying a classic Jaguar E-Type. It cost a ridiculous amount of money, but as my mechanic pointed out, if I maintained the car, I could sell it for a profit when I was done. If I was ever done, since I loved that car.

Amanda’s very telling blush was out in full force. “I don’t know. I must have seen it somewhere.”

“Man, you didn’t just have a crush on me, you went full stalker.”

She refused to even answer this. I laughed, sat back in the chair across from her, and took a bite out of the maple doughnut.

Amanda watched me and shook her head. “Your metabolism must be amazing.”

“I got you one.” I rustled the bag in front of her.

She rolled her eyes. “I prefer the ones from the little bakery across the street.”

“Are those the ones you bring to meetings?” I asked, and she nodded.

“It’s cho-co-late,” I cooed. She shook her head but then reached out for the bag. I pulled it away.

“Would you grow up?”

“Never. Anyway, you’re right, the doughnut’s a bribe. I need to talk to you about something.”

She stopped shuffling paper and eyed the doughnut bag. “Must be serious. What’s up?”

“Well, you know this gala your mother’s organizing....”

She nodded. “Are you having a problem getting your donation organized?”

“Nope. All done. The Millionaires people are actually pretty excited about this. It’s a way to publicize the fact that you can rent the arena for private events.”

“Oh, that’s great news. I’ll let my mother know. And if you have business cards or promo sheets from the event manager, bring them next week and I’ll make sure they get displayed.” She resumed looking through the spreadsheets on her desk.

“Is it formal? My buddy, Jes—you know, the one who is going to be the other coach—was asking me.”

“Well, it’s Vancouver, so some people may not dress up. But most will be in black tie—like long gowns or tuxedos. According to Cynthia, a lot of women are excited that they get to break out their ball gowns.”

“Do you have a gown?” Or was she going to wear a tux? I could easily see her doing that.

She groaned. “I don’t know. I’ll check my closet and see if I have to go shopping. Did you come in here to see what I’m wearing to the gala? Are we going to try to be matchy-match or something?”

I put my half-eaten doughnut down on the desk and put hers beside it. Then I brushed the crumbs from my sweater and smiled at her.

“No, I was wondering if you’d like to go with me.”

Now I had her full attention. Amanda’s eyes widened—today her eyes looked more greenish than hazel in the artificial light. Her lips parted and there was a glimpse of pink tongue. She swallowed hard. “Me? And you?”

“Yeah. Did you have a date already?”

She shook her head slowly, looking stunned. There was a long pause, and I wondered if I was really losing it. Was all my dateability down the drain once I wasn’t the captain of the Millionaires anymore?

When she didn’t answer, I leaned closer. I could smell her fresh, clean soapy scent again. “So, how about it?”

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