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“I never said he was. And I don’t think he’s into relationships, anyway. That’s why he’d be perfect for you. Just have some fun.” Talia winked.
“Since when did you become such a bad influence?” Jordan teased.
Talia shook her head. “I’m just saying you need to get out once in a while.”
Jordan knew Talia meant well, and she wasn’t annoyed by her friend’s advice, but it was unwanted advice, after all. She began to walk away, done with this conversation. “I’m good, thanks.”
It had been five years since she’d had her heart broken, and she still wasn’t ready to go through that again. She was loyal to her job now, and the job wouldn’t leave her for the game.
Not like her high school sweetheart had.
Denny had been the high school hockey captain, and she’d been the book-smart valedictorian. He could’ve had any girl in the school, but he’d chosen her. She’d been accepted to every college she applied to, whereas his choices were limited. Denny had his heart set on Boston, and since they’d planned to attend college together, she picked a school close enough to his that they were able to share an off-campus apartment.
He had hockey and school to worry about, so Jordan had picked up a part-time job at a local diner to pay the rent. She was living what she thought was her happy ever after, when he began spending more time at the rink than with her.
Eventually, the fateful day came when Denny announced that he’d been signed to a mid-level professional hockey league team in Maine. He was dropping out of school, breaking up with her, and moving to Maine—leaving her in Boston alone, with no friends or family.
He had broken her heart. Never again.
CHAPTER TWO
Noah
Noah Rodgers walked out of his hotel into the warm October air. He’d arrived in the city in the middle of last season, and so far Pittsburgh had been welcoming. Taking in all the sounds of the city, he was glad to be back here.
Last season hadn’t ended the way he had hoped, and the off-season had seemed to drag on. It had been nice to go back home to Montreal and to spend the time with his parents and sisters. He had busied himself with working out, training, and even a yoga class. But nothing helped take his mind off Pittsburgh and its attractions. And the main attraction was Jordan.
Noah admittedly had a way with the ladies. He liked women; no one would deny that. His little black book was proof, filled with the numbers of every woman that had crossed his path. But he hadn’t been interested in any of those digits of late. The only number he wanted to call was the one he didn’t have, and it belonged to Jordan Baker.
Stopping beside the arena, he needed to check on his newest project. Noah wanted something to tie him to Pittsburgh, something to be remembered for, other than playing hockey. He was getting older, and it was time to put his efforts into something solid.
When the bar outside the arena became available last season, he had jumped at the opportunity. It needed a lot of work—the décor and fittings were outdated, and the former owners had left it in a mess. The crew Noah hired had worked through the summer, and his plan was to have it up and running by the time this season started.
A small electrical problem in the kitchen had held things up for a few weeks, but they were finally closing in on an opening date.
Noah ducked into the restaurant. “G’Morning, Carl. How are we looking today?”
Carl, the foreman, nodded. “Good. We are right on pace—well, the updated schedule, anyway. I don’t foresee any other setbacks.”
Noah chuckled. “Never say that.” He knocked on the closest piece of wood, not wanting to take any chances.
Carl chuckled. “You hockey players and your superstitious ways.”
“I’m heading to lunch. As always, call me if you need anything.” Noah walked out onto the sidewalk. Immediately, he was approached by two young ladies. They were already in fangirl mode, as if they’d been casing the place, just waiting for him to show.
They pulled out their phones, and when he agreed to a photo, they put their arms around him. He was sandwiched in the selfie, between the two girls doing their duck-face thing.
They giggled over him the whole time, and unusual for him, he found it a little irritating. Giggling fangirls had always been his thing. They were attracted to him like a magnet, and he had always happily obliged, in every way possible. But for the first time in his career, he wasn’t interested.
It wasn’t only the selfies with attractive fans that had lost their appeal. He thought about his last big night out, and winced. Maybe he was growing up, but not remembering the girl he’d woken up next to in the morning wasn’t enjoyable anymore, either.
When the two girls finally left, he stared across the street at the building that housed The Sin Bin, where he knew Jordan would be, busy at work as usual. Her work schedule, just like the moment he’d first laid eyes on her, was burned into his brain.
Noah had been traded to Pittsburgh early in the spring, and he’d been excited to play on the same team as Tyler Kidd, Dom Zanetti, Kaden O’Conner, and his buddies, Harrison Dash and Sam Morris. On his first night in Pittsburgh, the guys had taken him to dinner at The Sin Bin, along with a couple of rookies that had been called up from Wilkes Barre.
Tyler had been running a little late, so everyone had already ordered and had started eating. When Tyler finally showed up, the most amazing woman hurried to the table and took Tyler’s order.
Noah had been enjoying his meal and was laughing at something Sam Morris had said, but he literally shut up and stopped eating, and he couldn’t take his eyes from her. Her hair was swept up in a no-nonsense bun, and she wore a tight fitting business skirt. The up-tight look wasn’t something he usually went for, but that skirt hugged her hips like a lover’s hands. In his brain, it simply spelled sex, in big capital letters. The sexy librarian look intrigued him and suddenly became his new favorite.
