Page 14 of The Puckable Playbook

When I stay where I am, Len’s shoulders deflate. She turns toward her “editor,” though I’m pretty sure he’s still a student and not some trained guy the school hired. “Sorry, could I have a minute?” she asks him.

“Yeah, sure.”

He steps back, and I give him a polite wave.

Immediately, Len grabs my shirt and drags me all the way down the length of the white table and into a corner. Unlike her crush, she’s surprisingly strong.

“What are you doing?” she hisses. “I didn’t think I needed to explain in the contract that work is work and you’re not to bother me at it.” She pushes her glasses up her nose and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

I smile, leaning against the wall. “You’re mad I interrupted that moment with your boy toy.”

The color drains from her face.

“If you’re a reporter and he’s your editor, isn’t he, like, your superior? I didn’t peg you as that kind of… Well, isn’t that kind of risqué?”

“I don’t like him,” she rushes out, glancing up to make sure no one is close enough to hear us talking. Her eyes catch on him all the way across the room.

I watch the whole thing with a knowing grin. “You’re a lying liar.”

“What are you? Five?”

I shrug. “Sometimes, and this moment calls for it because you’re also acting like you’re five. You’re an adult. Own up to a crush.”

“Zaiah, I’m going to need you to— Wait, is this the reason you came in here? To ask me about Clark?”

I grimace. “His name’s Clark? He’s trying too hard.”

“Oh yeah, because I’m sure he came up with his own name.”

“People do,” I tell her. “You’d be surprised.” She rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but watch with fascination. Teasing her is fun. “If it’s any consolation, I’m pretty sure he has no idea you like him.”

She drops her façade. “Really?” As soon as the question pops out of her mouth, she shakes her head. “I could care less because it’s not about that. So, now that we’re clear about,” she waves her hands, “that, is this really what you wanted to come in here to talk to me about?”

She’s adorable when she’s annoyed, just like my little sister. I love to get her all wound up and then set her loose like an Energizer bunny with hormones. “No, I came in here to ask you a favor.”

She smiles. “Oh, good. No.”

“I haven’t even said what it is yet.”

“Still no. Now, can I go back to work?”

She taps her foot against the floor, her gaze darting to Clark across the room. I doubt I’m actually getting her in trouble, but invading her space wasn’t the best idea. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to bother you at work. I was walking by and saw you, and I had an idea. My mistake about you having a crush on Clark.”It’s not a mistake at all. I’d bet on it.

She peers away. “It’s none of your business.”

“Plus, it’s none of my business,” I echo.

She’s quiet for a few moments. “Fine, okay. What, then?”

“I was watching you in here and I had a thought. The hockey team is having a great season, but no one knows about it. I thought maybe you could write an article detailing how awesome we are.”

The dead stare she gives me catches me off guard. Her once sparkling eyes are now cold. “Wow, you really don’t know me at all. No, I won’t. Final answer.”

She spins on her heel and walks right back to her laptop. I blink at her rapid exit. O-kay. I hit a nerve. Guess she’s not a hockey fan. Or maybe a sports fan in general. Or it’s possible she’s just not amefan…

Dejected, I walk past, and when she doesn’t even look up, I realize I’ve stepped in it big time.

That’s the last thing I wanted to do.

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