Page 5 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
“Yes, Maria! And now I have to go all the way back downstairs to get another one.”
I gesture toward the other cup. “Well, what about that one? Surely, that is mine.”
“That one’s mine, Hazel!” Anna groans, shooting me a glare.
I wink at her. “Thanks for your sacrifice.”
“Every damn time,” she mutters, shaking her head.
I flash her a grin, unapologetic. “I live for these little moments.”
Anna mutters something under her breath, probably about me being the bane of her existence, while Nate leans against the elevator wall with a grin plastered across his face.
“You know, Hazel, if you ever need coffee, you just have to ask me. I would happily deliver.”
I snort. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Seriously dude, your lines are cringy. Quit it,” Anna scoffs.
“You’re just jealous you’re not on the receiving end of my awesomeness.”
“I am thankful I am not. I feel so sorry for Haze and any other lady who has to hear every pickup or cringy line from you.”
The elevator dings at our floor before Nate can say anything else. I am the first out, with Nate trailing behind, probably cooking up another smooth line. Heading straight for Maria’s office, I knock once before pushing open the door just in time to see she is on a call.
Maria is impeccably dressed as usual, her tailored burgundy blazer paired with sharp black heels. Her silver-streaked hair is pulled into a sleek bun, and her piercing eyes instantly lock ontome. If you don’t know her, she is intimidating. If you do, she’s still intimidating but in a way that commands respect.
She motions for me to sit, holding up a finger to signal she will just be a moment. I sink into the chair across from her desk, sipping the stolen coffee with relish.
“Right. Tuesday works. Thanks, Derek. I will follow up later,” she says, hanging up. She swivels her chair toward me, piercing me with her sharp gaze.
“Morning, Hazel. How was your meeting?”
“Productive,” I say. “We finalized the details for next month’s anniversary shoot.”
“Good work,” she says, leaning back in her chair.
“Thanks, boss. So, what is this urgent thing?” I ask, crossing one leg over the other.
Maria smiles, a rare sight. “I have an exciting opportunity for you. Unexpected, but huge.”
I sat up straighter, intrigued. “I’m listening.”
“The Avalanche hockey team is doing a rebranding campaign, and we are among the three companies to shoot the event, and guess what? You are one of the photographers selected for the job.”
For a moment, I am sure I have misheard her. “Wait. What?”
“This is a huge deal, Hazel. National exposure. It is not just any campaign - it’s the campaign of the year. They specifically requested you after seeing your portfolio.”
My brain screeches to a halt at the word Avalanche. Of all the teams in the world, it had to be the one based in Autumn Cove. My heart thuds uncomfortably in my chest.
Her expression softens into a smile. “I can feel the excitement coming off you,” she says, beaming, misreading my silence.
If only she knew.
I clear my throat. “Um, Maria, don’t you think someone else would be better for this? Like Anna, or Gertrude, or heck, evenNate? They are all excellent photographers, and I am booked solid with shoots…”
Maria’s expression hardens, and she raises an eyebrow at me. Uh-oh. That is her ‘don’t even try it’ look.
