Page 13 of Claiming Her Cougar (Shifting Pines #2)

“Mallory is going? I didn’t know she was a hockey fan. She’s never gone before.”

I don’t mention she didn’t go because she never knew tickets were available.

“Yeah, Daphne invited her. If there was room, I figured I’d offer tickets to Teagan and Jake too.” If I have my friends there, it won’t seem as much like a double date, and maybe Mallory will be more comfortable.

“There’s always room for those two. Invite them. Your mom and Aunt Holly are coming too. They crush on that player from Dallas.”

I roll my eyes. The guy is my age, a fact they choose to ignore because it’s “icky.”

“I’m here if you need to talk, Liam. About anything,” Dad says earnestly.

“I know, Dad. Thanks.” I really am fortunate in so many ways.

I adjust my position in my chair. “I went to the Atlantic City property. It’s interesting, but it would need an overhaul.

They’ve tried doing retail before, and it didn’t work as well as they hoped.

I really think it needs to be a mixed-use property. ”

“Do you think we should pass?”

“No. I think it’s going to be perfect for a rink and some supporting retail, but without confirmation that we’re getting the hockey franchise, it’s too risky to commit to purchasing it yet. Our regular retail model won’t work there. It needs another element to drive traffic.”

“The property isn’t even for sale yet, so we have time. It’s just when it is listed for sale, I think it would be best to move quickly. My source says we have about six months.” Dad leans back in his chair.

“Six months is a good timeline. We should know about the franchise way before that. When I know something, I’ll tell you.”

“Fair enough. When do you leave? Wednesday?”

“Yeah, I’ll be hitting the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia properties and be back a week from Thursday. Barring anything goofy, I’ll be in Jersey through year’s end. I’ll check out the New Jersey properties and get ready for my property tours in the new year.”

I check my watch. It’s almost 5:00 p.m. Rising, I give Dad the half grin that I know I inherited from him.

“I don’t know if I’ll be in here tomorrow, but I’ll see you at the game.”

“Have a good night, Liam.”

I take my leave and say goodbye to Allison and Betty as I pass their desks.

Climbing into my truck, I decide to swing by home to change before going over to Daphne and Logan’s.

I don’t want to look like I’m too eager to spend time with Mallory.

I am extremely eager to spend time with her.

I just don’t want to make it obvious. Yet.

My cougar, the universe, whatever, won’t leave the idea of Mallory and me alone.

And maybe this feeling or message is right.

It’s not about never. It’s about when. Maybe I’m not avoiding. I’m waiting.

I use voice-to-text to ask Daphne if she wants me to pick up anything for her and Mallory while I’m getting the beer.

Daphne: Nope, we’re good. Beef and broccoli as usual?

Me: Yep.

Daphne: Are you trying to pick up Mallory?

Me: I thought she was driving to your place herself. I can pick her up from wherever though if she needs a ride.

Daphne: You know what I mean.

Me: Why do you ask?

Daphne: Because she’s my friend, and I guess you are too.

Me: Ouch.

Daphne: Shut up. You flirt with everyone. I want to make sure you aren’t just playing around. If you’re hitting on her for fun, knock it off.

Me: Simmer down. Want to get to know her, that’s all. No games.

Do I ask for her help or not? Daphne’s going to torture me with the knowledge of my burgeoning crush on Mallory, but if it advances my cause, it’ll be worth it.

Me: I’d be happy for your help. I think she likes me, but since I work for Morgan and am an executive, it’s a no-go.

Daphne: Well, that complicates things. You could quit…

Me: Ha. Seriously. Neither one of us wants a relationship now, but no reason we can’t be friends and lay some groundwork, right?

Daphne: I guess. But don’t make things weird.

Me: Probably too late for that…

Daphne: Ugh. Bye.

I enter my pool house, thinking about Daphne’s comment.

I could quit my job at Morgan Development now and maybe remove an impediment to a relationship with Mallory, but that seems rather drastic.

Plus it would leave a hole in the company until my cousin Andy graduates in the spring and is ready to step into my role.

Maybe I’m not the one who has to leave though. She’s a paralegal. She could find a job at any of the law firms around here. Maybe one of the casinos.

No. I can’t even consider that seriously for a second. I’m not so much of an asshole that I’d ever suggest that her career is less important than mine. If Morgan Development is where she wants to be, then that’s where she’ll be.

I have to hope that if we’re meant to be together, we will be.

I guess I’m a bit of a romantic, just like Dad.

He knew from the first time he met Mom in Grammy Morgan’s classroom that she was the woman for him.

Mom was Grammy’s student teacher and was reluctant to get to know Dad because of the conflict, but he convinced her.

Hmm. The parallels aren’t lost on me. I’ll have to chat up my parents on their history to see if I can pick up some tips.

I don’t have to use anything I learn from my parents, but it’s good to have information.

My brain keeps telling me now is not the time, that I need to focus on my career and the team.

I don’t need a relationship complicating things.

But I think that’s fear talking. I’m not going to let fear rule me.

My heart and my cougar and yeah, my cock, keep reacting to Mallory.

I can’t stop thinking about her. Why should I?

Would dating her really make me less successful?

Do I really think being with her would ruin my chances with the team?

No, I don’t. I’m going for it. I’m not giving up on Mallory yet.

I debate whether I should shower before going to Logan and Daphne’s, but no one else will have, and I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.

I’ll just change my shirt. I put on a black T-shirt and a gray heather sweater and decide to change into clean jeans since I was poking around some dusty places in the Atlantic City property.

I wash my face, brush my teeth, and run a comb through my hair.

I think I look pretty good. I hope Mallory does too.

I pick up the IPA Logan and I currently favor from the liquor store and park at the curb in front of my cousin’s home.

The ranch house looks cute, dripping with all the Christmas lights I helped hang.

Headlights appear in my rearview, and Mallory’s MINI Cooper parks behind my truck.

I get out and wait on the sidewalk for Mallory to exit her vehicle.

“Did you just get here too?” she asks.

“I did. Just pulled up a moment before you. I was admiring the lights.”

“They’re beautiful,” she says wistfully. “I love the old-fashioned multicolor lights the most. My family favors the white lights, so they always outvoted me.”

As we walk up the walkway to the front door, we hear a whir, and the inflatables on the lawn start to grow.

“Oh, my goodness. They have a Gritty!” Mallory enthuses.

“Are you a Gritty fan too? Daphne is obsessed with him. When we saw this at Home Depot, Logan knew he had to get him as a surprise for her.”

“I love Gritty. He’s my boo thang. Best mascot in sports. I still love the Phillie Phanatic, but Gritty is next-level awesome. If I ever got a tattoo, it would be to commemorate my Gritty love.”

I’m distracted by thoughts of where Mallory would put a tattoo of the Flyers mascot and that all her beautiful skin is unmarked.

“You’re here!” Daphne calls from the porch. I didn’t realize she’d come outside.

“OMG, you have a Gritty! I am so jelly!” Mallory squeals, hugging Daphne like they didn’t just spend eight hours together.

Laughing, Daphne hugs me as Logan relieves me of the six-pack.

“Logan scored major points getting him. We got the Snoopy yesterday. I think we’re going to end up being that house.

” She makes air quote fingers when saying that .

No doubt they will indeed be that house in the neighborhood, and I’m glad.

Daphne has suffered a lot of loss, and she deserves to be happy and have all the holiday celebrations life offers.

“I kinda want a blow- up Gritty,” Mallory says as she enters the house, “but I’m out in the woods. No one will see him but me, so that seems silly.”

I cross the threshold behind her. “If it makes you happy, it’s not silly. Life is short. Take joy where you can find it.”

Three pairs of eyes look at me with various degrees of surprise.

I shrug.

“You’re absolutely right, Liam,” Daphne says, with a sheen in her big brown eyes.

She knows as well as I do how fragile life is.

She lost her parents in a car accident when she was a teenager.

I thankfully survived my accident, but it reinforced the truth that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

If you have a chance for happiness, you should embrace it.

If happiness is a curvy redhead with gorgeous green eyes, then I’m all for embracing her too.

Now to convince her that her happiness can be found in a six-foot-three, bearded, broken, former hockey player.