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“Tell her I’ll be there,” I said.
Nancy looked at me over the rim of her glasses. “She said you need to go to the men’s tailor this afternoon. I included a business card in the envelope. That’s for the tuxedo, and I’m going to find some masks for you to pick from.”
“Masks? Are we robbing the ball?”
She smiled, looking at ease for the first time since walking into the locker room. “Costume masks, Mr. Barrett. It’s a masquerade ball.”
I grunted, less than thrilled with the thought of wearing a glittery mask with feathers poking out of it for an entire evening.
“Perks of being team captain, right?” I quipped.
“Yes, Mr. Barrett.”
She turned to go and I put on my socks and shoes, glancing at my watch when I was done. I’d been planning to go to a local Jeep dealership and see about buying a Wrangler. I’d always wanted one, and now I lived in the perfect state for one. I was keeping my Range Rover, though. The Jeep would just be a fun second vehicle.
That would have to wait, though, since I had to go see Mila’s tailor.
Fuck masquerade balls. I wasn’t a tuxedo and tiny-appetizers-on-a-stick kind of guy. Hopefully Nancy would find me a mask that would hide my scowl.
* * *
I’d beenat home on my patio for nearly an hour that evening when Mila’s back door opened and she slipped out, her eyes immediately locking with mine.
She wore black leggings, a gray NYU T-shirt, and tennis shoes, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. I made no effort to hide the fact that I was checking her out.
Instead of a wineglass, she had a water bottle in hand. I held my own reusable bottle up and grinned.
“Look at us being responsible water drinkers,” she said as she walked over.
The closer she got, the more I wanted to get up and pull her into my arms. When she was near, it was hard to remember that we were on opposing sides of the arena issue. It was actually hard to think about anything except for how sexy she was.
“Thanks again for what you did for Teddy,” she said. “Your accountant has already been in touch with the family about getting them the money.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
Our eyes locked, and I fought the urge to invite her inside my home. There was too much distance between us. I’d been sitting out here waiting for her too long to scare her off immediately, though. I steered the conversation in a safer direction.
“Hey, did you hear that every city that’s built a pro hockey arena has seen greater economic impact than what they invested in it?” I asked.
She arched a brow and sat down at my patio table, a smile playing on her lips. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “Facts. I can get you a copy of the study if you want.”
“You can? Wow, can you also tell me who paid for the study?”
I shrugged. “I’d have to ask.”
She gave me a pointed look.
“Words likeeconomic impactandinvestedare spin. Tax money isn’t invested, it’s spent.”
I grinned. “Do we get along better when we both have alcohol in hand?”
“We might.”
“Did you just come from the gym?”
She looked at her shirt and sniffed her pits, looking self-conscious. “Why, do I smell?”
