Page 13

CHAPTER 13

Permission Granted

LUCY

Tuesday, October 1

“ T his might be a career-limiting decision.” I glance over at Kellen, who’s walking down the hall with me to the head of HR’s office. I’m ridiculously nervous to face this woman.

“For whom?”

“Me?” I squeeze my hands together.

“Nah. It’ll be fine.” Kellen is too relaxed, like we’re grabbing a casual coffee instead of to the head of Blizzard human resources to declare ourselves a couple. “Didn’t I tell you that over text a hundred times yesterday?”

When I got to work Monday morning, I talked to Lina about my relationship with Kellen. She thought I was messing with her. I don’t blame her. Just a week ago, I’d reassured her that I’m not going to date anyone.

Yet here we are.

So she said I’d have to go to HR to get the sign off, then gave me a really funny look.

“Yeah, well, they’re not going to kick you off the team because you’re dating a staffer. They might fire me.”

“You’re a contractor. They’re not going to fire you.”

“I’m hoping that this little monster will be a good enough distraction.” I nod to Bear, snuggled in Kellen’s arms, blissfully happy.

“Maybe.” Kellen rubs his head.

In a last-minute decision, I’d brought Bear to the office this morning. I heard that the woman we’re meeting with is a huge dog person, so maybe this’ll help soften her up to us.

“Want to go over the story again?” After Monday, when Lina made me make an appointment with HR, Kellen and I have been texting a lot to get our story straight. After all, it was only a week ago that Lina mentioned the team policy, and I said that won’t be a problem, I promise . And that I’m not into hockey players .

Sigh.

“No ma’am. I got it. And hey…” Kellen slows to a stop, and I do the same. “Thanks for doing this. I know I get a lot more out of it than you.”

“I wouldn’t just do this to be nice. There are lots of benefits for me besides the thing with my father.”

“Yeah?” Kellen cocks his head. “Like what?” We got an early meeting before his workout and practice, so Kellen’s in athletic shorts and a Blizzard t-shirt.

“Well, we didn’t add pure entertainment to the list.” I hold two fingers up. “So that’s two. And distraction from my personal drama.” A third finger. “And something to do besides stare at the walls of Atticus’s guest room while I’m not working. And?—”

“Okay, okay, got it.” Kellen grins and I lower my fingers. “Let’s go.”

I knock on the door, and we enter when Claire Morgansten calls us in. She stands and when she sees Bear, her eyes widen.

“Oh, hold on—” but before she can get another word out, a small ball of fur and fury shoots out from next to her desk and leaps up at Bear, who’s still nestled in Kellen’s arms.

Bear reacts by barking wildly and wiggling so much that Kellen struggles to keep ahold of him.

“Shoot! Oh no!”

“Can you put him back in your office?” Claire shouts over the din of two barking dogs.

We back out the door as Claire chases her dog around her desk.

“Shit. I’ll just go run and put him back,” I say, wide-eyed.

“No, I’ll do it.” Kellen’s barely holding in laughter.

“Fine. Hurry!” I don’t know how he’s so calm, but he trots down the hall, and I turn back to the open door.

Well. That wasn’t a good start.

“I’m so sorry about that,” I say when I re-enter the room. Claire’s put her tiny dog into a giant crate that contains a fuzzy blanket, food and water, and a pile of dog toys.

“It was unexpected.” She hooks the crate closed and turns to me, looking decidedly annoyed. “Chihuahuas are really protective. She’s fine with people—sort of—but other dogs really make her crazy.”

Lordy. I’m already making a mess of my new life in Colorado. I’m about to lie to the head of HR.

“Sit, sit. How are you settling in?” Claire waves at one of the seats in front of her desk and settles into her office chair, her mask of composure back in place. She gives a meaningful look out the door. “Well, I’m guessing.”

“Yeah, pretty well.” I let out a nervous chuckle. “The work is good so far. Lina’s great, and I’m enjoying the change of working for a hockey team.”

“Wonderful.” Claire smiles at me. “I knew you’d be a good fit for the Blizzard. Lina’s said great things so far.”

Ugh. Now I feel worse about lying.

“Hey,” Kellen says as he pops back into Claire’s office. “Bear is happily waiting in your office for your return, Lucy.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“So, let’s get down to it, as I’m sure you have to get to the gym, Kellen. Why don’t you both tell me what’s going on?”

“Well—” Kellen and I say at the same time, then look at each other and laugh.

“Why don’t you go ahead, buttercup?”

I bite back a laugh as Claire’s eyes widen.

“Sure.” My mind blanks, and I can’t think of one nickname to call him. The only animal names that come to mind are farm animal ones that are decidedly not cute: goat, sheep, horse, cow…

“Lucy?” Claire says, concern etched in her brow.

“Right. I started with the Blizzard just over three weeks ago, and Kellen and I immediately clicked.” I swallow and reach my hand over and place it on his knee, palm up. He takes it right away. “Kellen was at my brother’s apartment a lot, so we got to spend time together… and here we are.” Yup. Just me and Kelley Bassey, holding hands and lying about dating.

“Okay. That’s it?”

“Yes. And we just want to be above board with all this. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble.” Like me. Mostly me.

Claire sighs. “Alright. Fine. I’m glad you came to me. I have a quick paper for you to fill out.” She slides a sheet of paper to Kellen, who immediately signs his name without reading, then passes it to me.

I skim and it’s a short document officially disclosing our relationship. There’s nothing romantic or anything indicated, just recognizing the connection.

“Anything else?” Kellen says, arms perched on the sides of the chair, ready to stand.

“Just… keep it professional. Paul is really focused on ensuring the Blizzard has a great reputation, so any time we get coverage in the hockey tabloids, he’s not a fan.”

“I understand,” I say. “This job is important to me. ”

She gives me a funny look as if to say, then why are you doing this?

“Got it. Absolutely. I, too, am very concerned with the Blizzard reputation.” Kellen leans forward. “As the team captain.”

Claire nods and finally looks convinced. After another minute of small talk, we leave her office, closing the door behind us.

“Buttercup, really?” I whisper, laughing.

“I’m deeply disappointed I didn’t get called a cute animal name.” Kellen puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me down the hall back toward my office.

“I couldn’t think of one! The only thing that came to mind were farm animals. Like chicken. Ohhh, that would’ve been cute! I’m saving it for another time.”

We stop in front of my office.

“That was fun, Lucy Knox.”

“Glad I entertain you.”

“You always do. See you tomorrow at soccer?”

I nod, and with that, Kellen heads down the hall and disappears into the players’ gym.