Page 284 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"We decided children wouldn't care if the offices were fancy."

"And did they?"

I shake my head. "They care about the skates."

She smiles. "That sounds exactly like something you'd say."

"It wasn't my idea."

"No?"

"It was my mom's."

I hold the door open for her. The familiar sounds wrap around us immediately.

The building is settling into evening. Someone is vacuuming farther down the hallway. Two volunteers carry folding tables toward the storage room.

The smell of popcorn still lingers in the air, mixed with fresh coffee and floor cleaner.

Most of the younger children have already gone home, but a handful remain, waiting for their parents finishing work.

One little girl sits cross-legged on the floor coloring while her older brother patiently helps her stay inside the lines.

Annette notices everything. I can tell. She always notices people before places.

Mrs. Henderson looks up from the reception desk. The moment she sees me, she smiles. "Well, look who's finally back."

"I was here Tuesday."

"That hardly counts."

Her eyes move toward Annette. Then back to me. A slow smile spreads across her face.

"Oh."

I laugh. "Apparently that's everyone's first word today."

"It seems appropriate."

She walks around the desk and takes Annette's hands. "You must be Annette."

Annette smiles. "I am."

"My goodness..." Mrs. Henderson beams at me. "He's been impossible to live with."

"I don't work here."

"No, but we all hear about you anyway."

Annette laughs. "I seem to be hearing that a lot."

Mrs. Henderson pats my arm. "He pretends he's private."

"I am."

"You are absolutely not."

Before I can defend myself, a familiar voice echoes down the hallway. "Captain Jamie!"