I try to feel guilty about how much I enjoy this feeling. I want Jordan to want me. I want him to flirt. I know I’m a terrible person for it, but I can’t help it.
“Fine,” he says, mimicking me. His gaze follows me as I gather things from my bag and head into the bathroom. I thought this vibe between us was dangerous when it was just us pretending. Knowing that it’s real, all of it, even on my side?
Catastrophic.
I flip on the shower and then tap out a text to my sister.
Libby
We need to move lunch to your office today. Is that okay?
Ellie
Yeah…
What’s up?
Libby
I need to talk to you alone. I have something to tell you.
Ellie
I’ll order in.
After a few seconds, she sends another one.
Ellie
Um, sure you don’t want to move some meetings around and do breakfast?
Libby
I’m the newbie here. Can’t be cancelling meetings. You’ll have to wait until lunch.
Ellie
You’re lucky it’s my day to take the girls to gymnastics. I’d be in your room right now.
Libby
That would be awkward. Why do you think the door is locked?
I can’t help poking at my sister, even if I am going to tell her everything in a few hours. I snicker at the emoji she sends of a monkey covering its eyes.
It’s probably for the best that Jordan and I have already scheduled to spend the morning apart. He’s going to meet with the assistant coaches, talking over game strategies with them and getting their thoughts on how we, as owners, can support them. I have admin meetings with the department heads on the business side to discuss ways to increase attendance at the games. Hockey is growing in most major markets, but football and baseball definitely reign supreme in Denver. Once again, theBeing Libby Bennetcrew is on site, but since they’re catching chatter between the meetings, it’s not too stressful.
It’s a good distraction to discuss ideas and not think about Jordan all morning. I bring a few ideas to the table, like giving away tickets and swag at the schools and focusing on creating a family-friendly environment at the arena with cheaper concessionsand family deal prices. The business staff are excited about them and have a few of their own that excite me—having our players spend time in the community to make connections and utilizing my relationship with Ellie to get Devils players at the games.
I text Jordan when I’m in the car on the way to Ellie’s office. It’s so strange to be apart from him when we’ve spent so much time together the last two weeks.
Libby
How was your morning?
I don’t add how I miss him, or how frustrating it is for me to feel this way about him but not be able to do anything about it. I worry that he didn’t understand that last night.
Jordan
