Page 77 of Lucky Laces
“You’ll do, Blackwood.You’ll just do.”
Twenty-Five
Diana
Kailey is sweet.
And thoughtful.
And definitely has a high emotional IQ.
She did take pics of the plants, but it was the perfectly timed gesture to get us away from the boys…because just a couple of minutes later Smitty and Huddy were talking.
Actually talking.
Not a clipped-out couple of words from Hudson as I sat on the sidelines, wanting to interject—desperate to, really, in order to make the conversation go more smoothly—but knowing I already overstepped.
And that I did it huge.
So…sitting there like an idiot, dying a slow death at the discomfort of the stilted conversation.
Then Kailey saved the day by pulling me away to look at plants.
She didn’t do it by playing coy either—we all knew what she was doing.Roping me into giving the boys privacy to talk, but she did it in such an effortless way that I kind of want to find a way to make her part of the Eagles organization.
Her sneaky, quiet strength could be an asset.
Though, I think, as I glance up at Hudson and Smitty, where they’re now talking beside a huge SUV that can fit the oversized hockey player properly, I think she’s probably already been claimed by the Grizzlies.
Andthe Breakers.
Too bad our paths didn’t overlap when I worked there.
I could have snagged her early and had her all to myself.
Now I’ll have to contend with being hockey rivals.
Ugh.
She glances up at me, lips curving at the edges.“That’s an intense expression.”
“I’m thinking I wish we met when I was still working for the Breakers.”
“Why’s that?”she asks, brows drawing together.
“Then I could have poached you and gotten you to come work with me at the Eagles.”
Her mouth twitches.“I work with lots of teams.”
“I don’t mean just your program”—Kailey works with the scouting divisions of several NHL teams because she’s excellent at coordinating data and making it go as far as possible—“I mean your instincts,” I say, leaning back against one of the pillars on Hudson’s front porch.“I was at a loss,” I whisper, slanting another gaze at the guys.“I knew I should say something but I froze.You didn’t.You took care of him, and you did it in a way that was gentle.”I shake my head.“I couldn’t have done that.”
I just don’t have that in me.
“You’re sweet to say that, but?—”
“But nothing,” I say firmly, jerking my chin at the guys.“You helped them connect.You’ve helpedhim.”
She touches my arm.“And you wouldn’t have had me heretohelp if you hadn’t had the foresight—or courage—to make those calls.”
