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“You know, get the players to actually take the purity pledge.” Dahlia tilted her head. “Don’t look so doubting, not the whole team.” She held up her thumb and index finger, keeping them about an inch apart to indicate a tiny amount. “A few of them.”
Like one? Or two? What was a few?
Dahlia smiled encouragingly. “The bench-riders probably already behave because when a star tumbles, they get their shot. It’s the core six players who are at high risk of impure improprieties. We won’t trade them, they’re too valuable, so they behave like…well, horn dogs. They’re the ones who need guidance.”
Piper pressed her lips together. “What do we need them to sign exactly? Because the I won’t have sex with my partner until I get a ring, like your sorority sisters signed, won’t fly.” She snickered. But for a thousand bucks, she’d ask them to sign that pledge. She imagined their faces and held in further chuckles.
“Details.” Dahlia wiggled her fingers. “Your program, your ideas. Run with it.” Dahlia tapped her fingers on her chin. “It would be best if the men polished up their social skills overall.” She wrinkled her nose and jerked her thumb toward the conference room. “Let them know we won’t be needing them any more today, and they won’t be receiving their charity credit.”
“On it.” Piper walked back down the tunnel with a skip in her step. The bag jostled. How to get those hunks to sign up for a wholesome initiative…hmm. Promote the good sense of the tenets? Nah. When did anyone sign up for stuff they didn’t want? Fine print. She’d disguise the details under the cover of something else. An email app? Nah. Liquor delivery app? No. Hookup app? Yep. A dating app, populated with successful irresistible women. Click here to agree to terms. Terms which would change and become increasingly pure. Piper reached the conference room and peeked in to make sure everyone was decent.
The guys sat in the executive chairs, a masculine quad of handsome innocence.
How to phrase this to a bunch of competitive high achievers? “Yeah, we’re going to pass on your services for today. There won’t be any credits given out.” Piper propped the door open, went in, and placed their phones on the long table. “Thanks for trying.” You failed. Do better next time. You owe us. She left the last bit unspoken, but the sentiment hung in the heated air.
“Fair,” Kiernan said.
“I won the bet.” Rookie grabbed his cell and was out of there fast.
“Nope.” Liam was on his heels.
Kiernan was right behind him. “Puck party ahead.” His words came out as eager as his expression.
Mikah rose but was slower than the others. She’d seen him on the ice. If he was moving at less than lightning speed, he was lingering to speak with her. She’d accommodate him. Piper crooked her finger at Mikah. “Got a minute?”
Mikah sat back down, leaned back into the backrest, and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Dahlia read you the riot act?”
“Not at all.” Piper made big guiltless eyes. “I got a job offer. Getting a job offer while I write my history thesis is a pretty big deal.”
“What’s your thesis on? What’s the job?”
Piper took the seat beside him. “The intricacies of the Tudor court. Purity Minder.”
Mikah narrowed his eyes. “Not sure which of those is which.”
“I’ll be the team’s Purity Minder.” Piper tried to project pride in her voice, but the last syllable wobbled.
Mikah gave a masculine pout. “We don’t need that.” His eyes widened. He sat straighter. “You didn’t make your announcement while the guys were here. You’re telling this specifically to me. Why?”
“To pick your brain.”
Mikah frowned as if he didn’t believe her. “You want my buy-in?” He made an accurate guess, and his firm expression told her that would happen never.
Piper planted her elbow into the leather armrest and waved her hand airily. “I don’t need to win you over, all the fabulous incentives we offer will do that.” She knew she was speaking a bunch of B.S.
He gave her a shared look that said he knew it too.
“I have a new hookup app for the team.” Or she would by next week. Dahlia would have to pay the creation fees separately. Vivien was a computer science major, she’d do it. How much did computer majors charge for outside work? Could she toss in a date with one of the guys to sweeten the offer? Rookie clearly needed a woman.
Mikah nudged the wheel on her chair, drawing her attention. “Are you on this dating app?”
The app didn’t exist yet, so no. Piper smiled modestly. “This isn’t about me.”
Mikah frowned.
He was bummed she wouldn’t be on the app. Flattering reaction. He was into her. And she could use his help selling the idea. Piper spun her chair so she faced him more fully. “There will be models, quality women.” Women who didn’t livestream their bouncing assets.
His jaw tightened. “Not everyone’s looking for high publicity or long-term.” Mikah rubbed his temple. “My mother was a model.”
