Page 19 of The Huckleberry Bookshop

“We should introduce ourselves.”

“Why? So you can finally get my name right?”

“To the camera. For the intro.”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Chad dropped one elbow to the counter and grinned at the camera. “I’m Mullens, forward for the San Antonio Dragons. And today our gorgeous team dietitian is working me in the kitchen.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Seriously?”

“Flirty stuff sells. Smile to the camera.”

“I don’t flirt.”

“Yeah.” His face scrunched into a frown as he looked at her. “It would probably kill you.”

“Hey!” She gave him a playful shove, immediately embarrassed for acting flirtatious.

Damn his charm and the fancy earrings. He was winning her over despite herself.

Chad turned back to the camera. “It’s going to get hot in here, so stay tuned.”

Athena sighed. “There’s going to be so much editing to do,” she muttered, then pasted on a smile.

“No, give us a real one,” he said.

She widened it.

“No, not the sweet shark smile you get when you report a player to the coach.”

Her smile disappeared. She didn’t actually enjoy that. She’d much rather they’d follow her plans willingly, and get fitter and stronger.

“Fine.” She turned to the camera, knowing her expression was slightly dark. Really, just a typical around-Chadwick kind of look. “I’m Athena Gavras, author of the cookbook Eat Like a Player.” She held up a giant knife. “And today I’m not only going to show you how to make a quick, healthy breakfast, but also how to murder conceited players who think they’re above following my dietary rules.”

She gave Chad a fiendish grin, and he took an involuntary half step back. With rounded eyes, he stared at the camera.

“I’m going to stay right over here.” He picked up the bowl of chopped spinach. “And eat my greens.” He shoved a handful in his mouth, leaving most of it sticking out, like a horse eating grass.

Schooling her smirk, Athena slid the knife toward him, handle first. “But as a show of trust…how about you finish chopping the mushrooms.”

“If I disappear,” he stage-whispered to the camera, “check her alibi.”

“Oh, I’ll have a solid one, even though you’ll be in the trunk of my car.” She patted his broad shoulder. “But don’t worry, I’ll head up a search party to come looking for you.” She gave him a syrupy smile. “Because I care.”

He began slicing mushrooms. “Be sure to check her trunk first.”

She nudged him away from the cutting board, then took the knife from his grip.

Chad cowered and raised his hands playfully. “Please don’t murder me.”

“The way you’re murdering these poor mushrooms?” She shook her head, then swiftly removed the tough stem ends. “You’ll need to forgive him,” she said, demonstrating how to slice the mushrooms. “He knows his way around a great many things. Although the kitchen and my recipes and diet plans are not on that list. You can learn alongside him if you’re a newbie, too.”

She gave him a sweet, placating smile while continuing to chop, secretly enjoying herself much more than she could ever have anticipated.

“It’ll be a miracle if they can turn that mess into a video worth sharing with the world.” Athena jerked a thumb toward the kitchen, where they’d just finished filming.

Howell and Nuvella had left, having spent most of the remaining time in the alley.

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