Page 60 of Wild Ever After
“Why?” The question is out before I can take it back.
“You know why.” He takes two steps closer. “I like you. I admire so many things about you. And I know that you want to keep things between us purely platonic. I’ll respect that, but we’re not going to keep tallies on every nice thing we do for each other.”
He takes another step. “I’d win. I plan on doing a lot of nice things for you over the next year.”
I swallow thickly. “It isn’t that I don’t like you.”
His dark eyes blaze into mine, with an intensity that has me leaning against the desk for support. “I’m just not the kind of woman you’re looking for. At least not now. My life is a mess.”
“I know exactly what kind of woman you are, Jade.” With one more step, he’s so close I can feel his warmth and smell the faintest hint of his body wash. “You’re determined and stubborn, guarded and independent.”
I’m not sounding that impressive, but he’s right about all of it.
“You’re also incredibly kind and generous, empathetic, loyal, and beautiful—inside and out. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
I can’t speak, can barely breathe. When he moves away from me, my entire body protests the distance.
“I’m going out for a run. If there’s anything else you want or need for the room, let me know.”
And then he’s gone, leaving me all alone again.
22
I NEED TO STUDY HIS MOVES
DECLAN
After the nightI showed Jade her new office, things shifted between us. We no longer avoid each other, or at least not quite as much.
Development camp is next week. Rookies and future Wildcat prospects spend a week going through workouts and drills, a few scrimmages. It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. I’m not required to go, but I like working with the younger guys, giving them a taste of the pro league, while offering whatever advice I can.
After that, the countdown to the start of the season is on. I look forward to it all summer long, but never more than this year. The Stanley Cup was so close, I could taste it. I can’t wait to get back. The guys and I have been working out and skating most days, but there’s nothing like having the entire team back together.
Tonight, Jade and I are going to an event—the details I’ve already forgotten. She ran a list of parties and promotional work events by me, and this one didn’t conflict with anything. Also, Leo and Scarlett are going, so at least I’ll have another guy to talk to, while the girls socialize with people from the magazine.
Jade looks stunning. She always does, but tonight’s hot pink dress and gold shoes are something else. We walk in behind Leo and Scarlett, mirroring their body language. He has her hand tucked close to his body, so I do the same.
Jade peers over at me with a nervous smile before we step into the party.
It’s only the second one of these I’ve had to go to and the last one was not nearly this fancy, just a small company picnic at a local park. They had games and food trucks, all real casual.
But this place tonight is packed, and there are servers walking around in stark white shirts, carrying trays with hors d’oeuvres and champagne.
“Remind me what tonight’s event is for?” I ask as I take two flutes from a nearby tray and hand one to Jade.
“It’s a dinner and silent auction for a local charity. One of the magazine’s board members is the co-founder.”
“Nice.”
“There’s Melody,” Scarlett says, glancing back at us. “Should we say hello?”
Jade takes a sip before nodding. “Yeah, let’s get it out of the way first.”
I squeeze her hand for reassurance, and then we weave through people, heading toward a table with some of the execs I recognize from the picnic and a few others that have that air about them, like they think they’re more important than the rest of us.
Melody is the first to spot us. The corners of her lips lift with a small smile, and she steps forward. “Jade, Scarlett.” Then she nods to me and Leo. “I’m glad you all could make it.”
“Of course,” Scarlett says.
