Page 6 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance (Midlife Meet Cute #6)

Zach

Rebecca stares at my hand wrapped around her wrist as if she’s conflicted. But then I catch a glimpse of the hurt I caused her all those years ago.

I quickly let go. “Sorry.”

My chest tightens, and I hate myself for ever hurting her to begin with.

Right after I got called up to the NHL, I showed up on her doorstep with flowers and a ring.

Her father told me I’d only cause her more pain if I tried to make things work with his daughter because I’d need every bit of my focus directed at my shot at the Stanley Cup.

He spoke from experience, citing the cost his marriage had paid in chasing his dream.

And I believed him—believed I wasn’t man enough to do both well.

So, out of respect, I honored his request to let her go, even though it gutted me, and I suspect he never told her.

But that was then. This is now, and she’s right here with nothing standing between us.

Somehow, I have to find a place in her life again.

But what if her father’s words still hold true? I may not have grueling practices every day, but during hockey season, I’m on the road, reporting on the games and analyzing stats and player standings. Should I keep our interactions on a professional level and give up the idea of winning her back?

She clears her throat and then appears thoughtful. “How soon could you arrange a meeting?”

My eyes lock with hers. “I’m pretty sure I can get him on the phone today or tomorrow. Or I can talk him into flying in for a face-to-face.”

A smile plays at her lips. “Arrange a call first. We’ll start there.”

We?

Maybe this isn’t as hopeless as I thought. Considering the time difference between California and Florida, I check my watch. “I can call him right now.”

Her eyes narrow, challenging. “In a hurry?”

I let out a nervous laugh. It's been a while since someone made me feel unsteady on my feet. And it’s all her. “If you sign him now, you’ll have time to run a training camp and get him integrated before the season starts.”

She gives me a slow nod of agreement.

“And contract negotiations can take time. I’m pretty sure another team is interested in Gabe.”

Rebecca walks over to her door. “Harper, hold my calls for the next hour, okay?”

A bubbly voice answers back. “You got it, boss.”

She returns to the sofa and sits. “Make the call.”

After we spend thirty minutes on the phone chatting with Gabe, she proposes flying him in so he can check out the arena.

She even offers to pay for Gabe’s wife to come along so she can see what Sarabella is like.

Seeing her concern for them confirms what I’ve already concluded—Rebecca will be the one to bring this team back from the brink.

She learned a lot from her father, but she’s surpassed him in ways I’m just noticing.

I gather the remains of our lunch after we end the call. Becks watches me, her face still flushed with excitement. She rises and takes the bag from me, dropping it into the garbage can near her desk.

“Thank you, Zach. This was a huge help.”

A zing of pride shoots through me that this worked out. Not because I was right but because I could support her.

I could tell during the call that she liked what Gabe had to say. “My pleasure. If there’s anything else you need, let me know. I’m happy to help.”

She flashes me a smile. “I might just take you up on that.”

I draw closer to her. “I hope you do.”

The air crackles between us, and I’m right back in that place, drawn to her as if she’s the spark that’s been missing in my life. And the way her breath hitches makes me realize she still feels something for me.

The need to find out overtakes my caution. “Dinner tonight?”

Her eyes flash warning signs. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Can’t two old friends go out for a bite and catch up?”

“Old friends?” She lifts a shapely brow.

In another life, I’d pull her against me right now and kiss her until she didn’t know her name anymore, but if I had a chance at winning her back, I needed to move slowly. Win her trust.

“Okay, then, how about new friends? A fresh start.”

Her tongue darts out and rests against her upper lip as she thinks.

And I’m shot back to the past. The first time I took her out on a date, which didn’t go at all the way I planned. But the evening ended in one of the best kisses of my life.

Her eyes shutter, and her mouth opens with what I’m sure is going to be a refusal, but I’m not giving up that easily. Perhaps approaching this from a different angle might work.

“I could use some help to get settled here. I’m staying at the Sand Piper Inn until I can find something permanent.” Holding my breath, I wait for her answer. I’m not making that part up—I need recommendations for finding a place to live and learning about this beach town that’s now my new home.

She snickers. “I only just moved here myself.”

“But you’re more familiar with Sarabella than I am. You’d be doing me a huge favor, showing me around the area.”

A smile plays at her lips. “All right. How about this weekend?”

“Great. Looking forward to it.”

Something in her expression warms. “Me, too.”

I tear myself away from her to grab my coat from the couch. “If you’d like, I can pick Gabe and his wife up from the airport.”

“I’d prefer to do that myself, but thanks.” She returns to her desk, sits down, and then opens her laptop.

She looks good, sitting there in charge and running things.

I always knew Rebecca had the brains and strength needed to make a place for herself in the sports world, although I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for her.

Maybe that’s part of the reason I did what Sam asked and walked away.

If she had tied her sail to me, I would have held her back.

She would have been viewed more in light of my rising star than her own.

I shrug my coat on, stopping in front of her desk, waiting for her to look up at me as I search for the right words. “You’re exactly what this team needs, Rebecca. I’m just sorry your father isn’t here to see it.”

Her eyes turn glassy as she blinks. She looks down as if to hide what she’s feeling. “Thank you, Zach.”

When she meets my gaze again, I simply nod my appreciation and leave.

I meant what I said to her. And though Rebecca may not want to give me a second chance, I’m determined to do whatever I can to help her shine brighter than ever.