Chapter
Twenty
Roxie
“Hey, Charlie,” I grinned at my colleague and waved. He was a beta that had been with me from the start. He believed inThe Gathering Placeas much as I did and kept it running right alongside me.
Since I’d taken on this job he’d been even more incredible. I figured it was time to check in as I finalized the stories I’d been working on.
“The boss lady lives!” he cheered, nearly knocking the round glasses off of his face. He was at his home office, surrounded by books and a cat on its perch behind him. His blond hair was shaggier than usual which meant he’d been doubling down on work.
“Is there anything I can help you guys with?”
“No,” he admitted. “We’ve always been pretty self-sufficient and we’ve got about a week before proofs come in for the next issue. Should we expect your article or do you want to do a special send out?”
“Well, if I don’t edit it down it’s a whole-ass magazine on its own,” I admitted. He laughed, knowing me well enough to expect my reaction.
“If you need me just send it my way and I can make some suggestions.”
“You’re already doing enough,” I argued but he waved me off.
“Shut up and send it to me, Roxie,” he said with a huff.
“Okay, okay,” I relented before he leaned in closer, a smirk on his face.
“So, spill. I know you have all the good tea about this team. I need some solid gossip. We haven’t had as many little chats lately.”
Guilt hit me. “Sorry, that’s my fault. This whole move and job have been insane.”
“Don’t feel bad it was an incredible opportunity and we will definitely be grateful you took it when this is over,” he said. “Now quit deflecting.”
I snagged my coffee and took a long pull before launching into a full rundown of all the chaos. He didn’t need to know the finer details of me finding mates but I didn’t bother to hide it. With the way these hockey players gossiped, the world would know soon enough anyway.
A knock on my door interrupted me just before my alarm started blaring to remind me about our pack lunch. I turned it off and looked up to find Kota waiting for me.
“Good afternoon, little bat,” he said. “I got you something.”
I held up a finger and looked back at Charlie who was quietly cracking up. I’d definitely get teased later but for now I just glared at him.
“I’ve got to go, we have a pack lunch. So glad we had this catch-up chat,” I said sarcastically.
“Me, too, Roxie,” he wheezed. “Now go have fun with your pack. Bye!”
He hung up before I could yell at him for being a pain in my ass. I looked up at Kota and finally registered what he said.
“I don’t need courting gifts, Kota,” I said quickly.
“Was that one of your people from the magazine?”
“Yes, Charlie. He’s practically a partner,” I explained before eyeing the way he held something behind his back. “What do you have?”
“You absolutelydoneed courting gifts, but that’s not what this is about.”
He pulled a bag from behind his back. It was crumpled and he dug around before pulling out a ball of fabric. He shook it loose before holding the shirt up for me to see.
It was a Narwhals jersey. He flipped it over to show Mori and number twenty-three on the back.
“I love it, thank you,” I said as I took the jersey, secretly adoring the fact I’d have his name on it for the world to see.
