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“Speak of the devil,” Colby said, nodding over at the wall, where Mila stood.
“Think she has news about the vote?” I asked.
“That, or she just wants to brag about the small mammals she just fed on.”
I looked at him, my brow furrowed in confusion.
“Because she’s a cold-blooded snake,” he explained. “A viper. I swear she doesn’t go home to sleep; she just coils up under her desk.”
“Wow. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about her.”
Mila cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “We got it! We’re staying in Denver!”
I slumped with relief as the team erupted into cheers. Dom clapped me on the back, his anger forgotten.
Jack and Mila had gambled and won. I never wanted to be a team owner who had to make the decisions Mila did, but I’d never be a billionaire so it was a moot point.
I followed my teammates into our locker room, where we broke out the champagne. We’d won twelve games in a row, and we were staying in Denver. It was a hell of a good day.
For everyone, I imagined, except Elle.
* * *
That evening,I’d just gotten home and sat down when I heard a knock at the door. It was a long day of celebrating the good news with season ticket holders and high-dollar donors to our team’s foundation.
My heartrate kicked up as I walked to the door. Not many people came over without notice. I hoped it was Elle.
When I opened the door and saw her, I didn’t say anything. If she was here to tell me she’d decided things wouldn’t work out between us, I didn’t know if I could accept it easily.
“Hey,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Congratulations on the arena.”
Why did I feel like she was acknowledging that we’d been on opposing sides of a battle that I’d won? I didn’t see it that way.
“Thanks,” I said. “Come on in.”
I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her I’d missed her, but I couldn’t. If she didn’t want us to be together, I had to respect it, though it would be hard as hell.
She looked pretty in jeans, a light pink sweater, and black booties, her hair cascading down her back. I remembered the feel of her hair brushing over my shoulders and chest when we were in bed. Part of me wanted to take her to bed, just to delay this conversation. Today wouldn’t be great anymore if she was done with me.
“It feels like so much has happened in the past couple of days,” she said as she sat down on the couch.
“Like what?”
I sat down in a recliner, sitting on the edge because I was too nervous to relax.
“Luke’s going to rehab,” she said.
“That’s great news.”
She nodded. “Our grandparents and our dad are really happy about it. They’re all flying here tomorrow so we can have a family dinner before Luke leaves for Portland.”
“Portland?”
“That’s where his rehab is based.”
“Oh yeah, makes sense.”
Our eyes stayed locked and I held my breath as I waited to hear what she’d say next.
