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“There’s no need.”
“Please?” he asks. I freeze in place, and he closes the distance between us. “I made a huge mistake last night. I got nervous and decided not to show.”
“Why were you nervous?” I ask.
“You’re beautiful and intelligent. You’re the kind of girl a guy marries, and I’m not at that point in my life yet.”
“Jesus, Randy. I was expecting dinner, not a proposal.”
“I know you weren't, but I panicked. Do you think you could give me another chance?” His brown eyes look so big and genuine.
“Right now, I need to get to my desk.”
He nods reluctantly. “Okay.”
Stepping around him, I hurry to my office and turn on my computer. This day is just beginning, and it’s already a shitshow. I sink into my leather office chair and get to work.
As the executive assistant to Greg Ledger, the owner of the Charleston Coyotes, I have a long list of tasks.
I’m nearly finished ordering office supplies when my phone rings.
“Good morning, this is Maeve.”
“Maeve, can you please come to my office?” Greg asks politely.
“Be right there.” I hang up and head next door.
“Good morning. How’s my favorite employee today?” he asks, smiling.
As far as bosses go, I’ve hit the jackpot. Greg is the definition of a kind older man. I nearly have to pinch myself daily to ensure this is reality and not a dream.
“Would you feel that way if my brother wasn’t one of your team’s best?” I tease.
Although Greg has denied that sharing the same last name with one of his team’s best hockey players helped me get this job, I’m sure it didn’t hurt either.
“Your impressive typing speed won me over,” he says with a wink.
“I won’t argue with you on that.” I type one hundred twenty words a minute.
“I called you here because I have some news to share. It’s not something I’m happy about, but I know it’s the right thing to do.”
I fold my hands in my lap to keep from fidgeting. WTF? Am I about to be fired?
“I’m turning over ownership of the Coyotes to my son, Trey.”
A gasp slips from me, and I blurt out, “Are you sick?”
“No, nothing like that. Aside from some high blood pressure and cholesterol, I’m fine. But the missus wants me to cut back. Two years ago, she and I agreed that I would turn the team over to my son, but I wasn’t ready. I wanted to wait until the Coyotes won one more championship, and as she’s been reminding me, they’ve won two in a row.”
“Yeah, but they could win another. Maybe you’ll three-peat. Don’t you want to wait and see?” I ask.
He chuckles. “And if they win a third, then what? Will I ever be ready to let go of control?”
“What will you do to stay busy?”
“I’ll still be involved in an advisory role with some of Ledger Enterprises, working mostly from home, but Lillith hopes it’ll be smooth sailing without me. And she has plenty of things lined up to keep me occupied.”
“I bet.” I smile. I’ve gotten to know his wife well, and she’s been more than patient about his workaholic ways.