Page 8 of Hard to Get

We talk hockey—what else?—but also a little politics and Paul asks us what other projects we have going on.

“We’re looking at moving into sports betting,” Troy says to him.

Ugh. I try to keep my face neutral.

“This new technology should help with that,” Paul says.

“Absolutely.”

This place specializes in charcuterie and we ordered an enormous board loaded with Spanish ham, mortadella, bresaola, along with buttery blue cheese, nutty Manchego, goat gouda and more, of course artfully presented with lavash, crackers, fruits, and nuts. I move closer to the table and pop an almond into my mouth. I reach for the champagne bottle to refill my glass, but Paul appears and picks it up.

“Let me,” he says, holding my champagne flute steady as he pours bubbly.

“Thank you!”

“So do you feel relieved?” He slides the drink closer to me, then fills his own glass.

“Somewhat. We were pretty confident going into tonight, though. We’ve done so much testing and so many dry runs. We did run into a couple of small problems, but they’re easy to deal with and everything should be flawless before the season opens.”

His eyes are intent on my face. “You’re an impressive woman.”

Uh oh. My spidey senses tingle. “Well, thank you.”

“It’s hard to believe someone as beautiful as you has brains, too.”

I pull in a slow breath through my nose. Here we go.

“Or should I say, someone as intelligent as you has so much beauty.”

“Either way it’s kind of clichéd,” I reply calmly, meeting his eyes.

After a beat, he says, “I guess that’s true. I apologize.”

I nod and smile.

“I was sincerely trying to compliment you,” he adds. “Very clumsily, obviously.”

I give a noncommittal shrug.

“I’m surprised you’re still single.”

Oh my God. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that, I could quit my job. Well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. “It’s because I like to sleep diagonally and I am not willing to change that behaviour.”

He bursts out laughing. “Good one.” Unfortunately, he only seems more admiring of me, moving closer. “I’m staying at the Marriott. Maybe we could head back there for a quieter drink.”

Jesus. I do not want to piss off a high-up producer at ASN.

Paul’s a good-looking man, probably about forty. I assumed he was married, but I now see there’s no ring on his left hand. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s single, though. I could go back to his hotel and have a hot night. I’ve been thinking about that ever since I turned down Jayden Wood’s coffee invitation.

But that’s probably not a good idea with a business partner.

I look him straight in the eye. “I’m not comfortable with that, but thank you.”

He purses his lips. I brace myself for his reaction because too often men get all butt hurt over a rejection. But he nods and says, “I understand.”

“Thanks. I should get back to our other guests.” I move away to rejoin Troy and the others.

That put a damper on my mood. At least he accepted my no. But it’s another reminder of how hard it is to be a woman in a male-dominated space.