Page 22 of The Huckleberry Bookshop

“Of course.”

Her eyes crinkled with amusement, her grin disbelieving. She unlocked the door and gave it a yank to let him out onto the sidewalk in front of his parked car.

“No, really,” he said. “How do you think I’ve leveraged my position in the NHL? Fame doesn’t just happen. The commercials, product endorsements… This is a business, and my image has been carefully cultivated.”

“So you’re not actually a playboy?” She pointed at his beautiful Porsche from the doorway. “Rich man with fast cars?”

“Well,” he said with a grin, “everything good should be based in truth.”

The door closed on him, and he sighed, wondering if he’d ever figure out the key to unlocking Athena Gavras.

Chapter 5

“He should be here,” Athena complained to Meddy as the makeup artist packed up her kit. They’d already shot the images of her for the cookbook’s back cover and interior. It hadn’t taken long, since Chad was supposed to be standing beside her in almost all of the planned shots.

The lights had been hot and the feeling of being stood up—or worse, pranked—had made her awkward and stiff. She figured this morning’s photos would be toss-aways. Just like the food she’d prepped as props.

“Maybe he went somewhere fun for Christmas and his flight got canceled or delayed,” Meddy suggested.

“He sent me his location—from here—two hours ago.” They hadn’t been able to find the photographer’s building and Chad had sent her a pin. Meaning he’d been here.

But by the time they’d arrived—a healthy twenty minutes before she’d been told to—he was gone.

Stood up?

All he’d texted was “Got to take care of something. Back quick.”

Then radio silence.

She sighed. She’d really wanted today off. Not just to deal with the post-Christmas sugar hangover from all the traditional Greek treats she’d baked—and then eaten—with her family, but because she needed a break.

But no. In marches Chad Mullens and suddenly everything ran on his schedule and she had to come in on her day off.

“Is it any surprise?” Her sister shrugged, her feet propped up on what was supposed to be Chad’s beauty station, as she flipped through a book catalog.

Athena had promised Meddy they’d pick up some stuff for their store after the shoot and before Athena returned to her office for the afternoon. Technically, she had the entire day off, but since she was already in the city Meddy had suggested she take care of a few things at work so she could be stolen away later next week for some bookshop errands.

Athena smacked the booklet from her sister’s grip. “We have more stock than we can sell in the first quarter. Don’t tempt yourself.”

“Hey! Don’t take your frustrations out on me.” She leaned forward and retrieved the glossy catalog.

The makeup artist hoisted her bags. “I’m leaving, but you’re all set for when Mullens arrives.” The woman with heavy eye shadow and a lip ring glanced toward the door as though reluctant to miss out on seeing the city’s semi-famous hockey playboy.

“Did you happen to see him earlier?” Athena asked, before taking a sip of her lukewarm coffee.

The woman gave her a look, shoulders dropping as though Athena had done something wrong. Athena followed her disapproving glance to the ring of lipstick she’d just left on her takeout cup. She winced apologetically. “Sorry.”

“I didn’t see him, and I was here early.” The artist set down a bag, fished out a lipstick and tossed it over. “Keep it. And here are some disposable makeup wipes. When you’re done, you can use them to clean your face.”

“Thanks.”

The artist left and Athena muttered, “The man needs to buy a watch.”

“When do you want to have our first open-mic poetry night?” Meddy asked. “I was thinking soon after we open the store. Maybe the second week? Get people in the habit of checking us out.”

She nodded absently. “Sure. But I don’t understand him. I mean, he was great at the filming. He ran Howell and Nuvella off the set so I could relax, and even defended my sexiness.”

“He what?” Meddy turned abruptly, feet back on the floor, brows furrowed in curiosity.

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