It Feels Like

"It's an amazing opportunity, Keri. I had my attorney look at the contract and it’s solid. Could you make more on your own? Maybe, but you'd be assuming the risk. In this situation, they assume it. You work for them as a contractor on salary and you even get to keep a percentage of your profits. I think we can deal with them and get that bumped up by five or six percent more, though. And with the signing bonus, you would be able to pay off your investor in full and have money left over to move into a nicer place." Norman pushed the contract in front of her.

"Can we both stop pretending that my investor is someone other than Brad?"

"He didn't want you to know."

"It was pretty obvious." She looked at the contract. It was sitting in a thick, expensive-looking folder. A prominent fashion house in the City had offered her a contract. A hefty, up-front lump sum coupled with a generous salary and a cut of the profits. The cut wasn't a huge amount, but it would offer her security. She would be able to count on a steady income stream that wasn't at the mercy of buyers from the City's many boutiques.

And she would be able to move into a place that could accommodate more than a twin bed. She wanted to call Brad and ask his opinion. That urge made her feel uncomfortable. Why did she want to ask him about her life choices?

"Can I think about it?"

Norman nodded. "Sure. They're asking for an answer by this time next week."

"I just want to sleep on it. I'll call you on Monday?"

"You can call me anytime you’d like." He pulled out a business card and jotted something on the back. "My personal number in case you ever need anything."

She forced a smile." Thanks."

"So, have you seen much of Richie lately?"

Keri shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Norman was leaning too close. He was a sweet guy and had helped her out so much, but she wasn't on the prowl for a man. "I saw him play last night."

"No dates?"

She didn't like where the conversation was going. "No dates. Just dinner as friends. I should going. My lunch hour is almost up and I need to get back to work."

He stood to give her a brief hug before she left. Keri shook her head as she waited for an elevator. She had a professional hockey player and an investment banker trying to get in her pants? What kind of crazy world was she living in? Part of her thought that the sudden influx of men who wanted to hit on her was due to Brad showing interest. Boys loved competition.

**********************************

He was standing in front of the restaurant she’d picked for brunch, and he looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine with his tan chinos, green polo, and lightweight jacket. His hair was artfully messy, and he flashed her a smile when he saw her approaching.

“Hi,” he said, giving her a quick hug. She pulled away because she didn’t trust herself to not cling to him. He was warm and smelled wonderful. “You look cute this morning,” Brad said

Keri shook her head. The weather was unseasonably warm for October, and she’d opted for a pink maxi dress with a jean jacket. “Thanks, you look like a J. Crew catalog.”

“Is that a compliment?”

She grinned. “It is, Mr. Model. Now, I hope you’re hungry because this place has the best tall stacks.”

Brad followed her inside. “Tall stacks?”

“Pancakes. Or you can keep that hot body and order fruit and oatmeal.”

“No, no, I’ll be bad for one day,” he said, laughing.

The waitress seated them in the far corner. Once they were sitting across from one another, Keri said, “You were amazing last night. Two goals? Showoff much?”

The corners of his mouth turned up into the smallest smile. “Only for you.”

Commotion behind her made Keri turn around. A man two tables away was holding his phone up, taking a picture of them. “What the hell?” she said, looking back at Brad.

He had a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t want to sound like an asshole, but the reason I go to the fancy smancy places is because they have more privacy.”

“That guy is taking a picture of us,” she said, looking back at the man. When she did, she noticed a woman to the left and a teenage boy further back who were also holding up cell phones. “What is going on?”

Brad leaned forward. “I play for the Rangers. People recognize me.”

She stared at him. Of course people would recognize him. She hadn’t thought about that. He’d just never been recognized in the diner. Other than the night forever ago when they sat on the bench after getting pizza and the dinner not long ago, they’d never been in public together. “I don’t want to be in the picture.”

“Too bad; you already are.”

The waitress came over and took their order. When she left, Keri said, “What if they think I’m your girlfriend or something?”

Brad tiled his head and took a drink of his coffee. “Would that be so bad?”

“You don’t want that kind of press.”

“What? That I’m finally playing well, and I’ve got a beautiful girlfriend who is having brunch with me on Sunday morning? That’s horrible.”

Keri shifted in her seat and looked away. She didn’t know what to say to that. It was flattering and made her heart skip a beat or three. “Are you asking me to go steady, secret agent Brad?”

“Would you say yes?”

Good question. She looked up to meet his gaze. He looked serious. “I... I don’t know. I’m a little trigger shy after...”

“I know,” he replied. “But you’re going to have to deal with the speculation now. There have been too many pictures taken.”

“You knew this would happen.”

“I did.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to give him a dirty look. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I wanted to see what you’d do.”

“Are you satisfied now?”

He smiled. “Yes, very.”

“Umm, excuse me, Mr. Richards.” The teenage boy looked like he was about fifteen and nervous as hell. He was clutching a receipt and and pen in his hand. “Can you, uh, sign this for me?”

Brad took the paper and pen from the boy and asked him his name.

“Mason. I’m a big fan of yours. You’re, like, the best.”

“Thanks, Mason,” Brad said, personalizing the note on the back of the receipt.

Keri watched with a smile on her face as the two talked for a moment. Then Mason hurried off with this memento and Brad turned his eyes back to her. “That was sweet of you,” she said.

“It was nothing,” he replied, brushing off her praise.

A moment later, their pancakes arrived. Keri drenched hers in syrup while Brad opted to pour a little pool of it on the edge of his plate for dipping. What a weird guy. He needed to cut loose and enjoy life.

“I got a business offer a couple days ago.”

Brad washed down the pancakes with half his orange juice. “What kind of offer?”

She explained the terms of the contract to him.

“Are you going to take it?” he asked.

“What are your thoughts?”

“I’m not a business guy; I’m a hockey player.”

“But I value your advice. You’re successful.”

“You should do what will make you happy, Keri. Will the security of the contract make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think you should take it. And you should move into a place that will fit a larger bed.”

She laughed. “I know, right? That was the first thing I thought.”

“I know a real estate agent who could help you find a good rental. Maybe somewhere in Manhattan? Closer to me?”

“Why would I want to be closer to you?” Keri teased, licking the syrup off her lips.

His eyes were playful, but the rest of his face was serious. “Because I plan on seeing you as much as possible.”

“What makes you think I’ll allow that?” she shot back.

“Will you have dinner with me on Wednesday night?”

She scrunched her nose up at him. “Are we going to a place where people are going to take pictures of me?”

“I was thinking dinner at my place.”

Keri hesitated. His place. That was dangerous because she could feel her resistance to his charms wearing thin. If he wanted her, then he could get her. And that was scary because part of her still didn’t trust him completely.

“Just dinner. No hanky panky.”

Brad laughed. “Just dinner. I’ll be a gentleman.”

********************************

She called him on Monday afternoon, and he answered on the second ring.

“I’m in the gossip column,” she told him.

Keri could hear him chuckle. “You’re the one who wanted to pick the place.”

“They say I’m a mystery woman and we’re out on the town. We were not out on the town.”

“That sounds way more salacious than brunch,” Brad agreed.

Keri’s cheeks were flushed. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“Why? Because you were seen with me?” he asked, voice soft.

“No, because you were seen with me. Didn’t you date Olivia Munn?”

“For a few weeks. What does that have to do with you?”

Keri sighed. “You are such a guy.”

“Keri, I don’t mind being seen in public with you. I don’t care who knows that we’re...”

She laughed when he trailed off. It was too perfect because she didn’t know what they were either. Was she still unhappy with him? Did she trust him? Were they friends or were they dating? It seemed so easy sometimes, but at others it felt so complicated. “Yeah,” she agreed. “I don’t know how to finish that sentence either.”

“Look, I know we’re having dinner on Wednesday, but I was thinking maybe you’d come be my good luck charm at the game tomorrow night.”

Her heart was picking up speed because he seemed to want to spend time with her. And he was letting her into his life now. It made her feel more comfortable. “Seven?”

“Yes, and if you stick around, maybe we can get a drink afterward.”

“Aren’t you exhausted after all that skating back and forth?”

He chuckled. “Adrenaline. I usually work out afterward.”

Keri groaned. “You’re sick.”

“Will you come?”

“Yes,” she said.

*****************************************

She watched the game from the same box as before. Brad looked like a shark on the ice, moving smoothly back and forth, striking when he had an opportunity. It was a turn-on, even if she didn’t know much about the game. The only thing she didn’t like were the hits that resounded through the arena. How was he not covered in bruises?

He scored a goal and was responsible for an assist as well. When the last period ended, she remained seated, playing with her phone. A few minutes passed before she heard the door to the suite open and close. She turned around, expecting to see Brad.

“Well, if it isn’t Keri, the woman who never gave me her number.”

She smiled at Michael Del Zotto and his huge grin. He really was a ridiculously attractive guy. His playful personality just made him that much more gorgeous. “What are you doing up here?” she asked.

He was in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, and his hair was wet. “I was chirping Richie and he let it slip you were up here. Wanna come down and see the locker room?”

Keri laughed. “I don’t think so. Too many naked guys.”

“It’s okay, I’ll keep my clothes on so you don’t pass out.”

She rolled her eyes and stood up. “I’m just waiting for Brad.”

Michael held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll take you to him. You can surprise him when he gets out of the shower.”

She took his hand and let him pull her out of the suite and down an empty hallway to a set of stairs that were locked. His keycard allowed them entrance. “Are you sure you’re allowed to bring me down here?”

“It’s fine,” Michael said, pushing open the stairwell door and leading her down a long hallway. They turned a corner and then passed by some offices. Finally, they stopped in front of double doors with the Rangers logo on them.

“Should I cover my eyes?”

He pushed open the door. “They’re doing interviews. It should be fine.”

The locker room looked like semi-controlled chaos. There were reporters with audio recorders in hand. A few men were shoving oversized camera equipment in the faces of the players. Brad was nowhere to be found.

“I shouldn’t be here,” she said, turning around, but Michael was gone. He was laughing at a teammate a couple yards away. Half the men in here were shirtless. It made her uncomfortable.

When she looked up to scan the room for Brad again, she locked gazes with a female reporter. The woman’s eyes widened and she made a bee line for Keri.

“Miranda Stewart,” she said, thrusting her hand out. “You are?”

“Uh, Keri Anglin. I’m just waiting for someone.”

“Brad Richards.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Miranda smiled and flipped her audio recorder up in Keri’s face. “How long have you known him?”

“What?” Keri asked, looking down at the device and then up at the woman’s face.

“How long have you two been dating?”

“I, uh, I don’t...”

“Hey, baby.” She jumped when she heard and felt Brad’s voice in her ear. He’d come up behind her, and he was just in a towel.

“Hi,” Keri squeaked.

Brad slipped his arm around her waist and directed her away from the reporter.

“Hey, we were talking,” Miranda called out, following them.

“Back off, Stewart," he said over his shoulder.

When they had moved far enough away from Melissa Stewart, Keri said, "Baby? What was that?" She had to avert her eyes because his chest was still wet from the shower and it was terribly distracting.

Brad was grinning. "She recognized you from the brunch pictures. She thinks we're dating."

Keri scowled at him. "And you just fed into it."

"I did."

"Hell, I don't even know if we're dating, and I’m the one that is supposed to be involved."

He stepped closer. "Do you want to be?"

"Do you?" she countered.

Brad looked right into her eyes. "Yes."

Keri glanced away first. "I can't talk to you when you're practically naked. Put some on some clothes."

Brad ignored her request, instead saying, "Did you tell her your name?"

She closed her eyes. "Shit. Yes."

"Looks like you're dating Brad Richards, then."

"I'm still mad at you for leaving me high and dry over the summer." Her eyes kept dropping to his chest and then his arms before wandering lower. "You really need to get dressed. I can't think."

Del Zotto walked by and stopped when he saw how close together they were standing. "Think if you walk around with your shirt off, she'll like you more than me, Richie?"

Brad's eyes moved from Keri to Del Zotto and then back to Keri. "Did he bring you down here?"

"Yes."

He turned to Del Zotto. "We're official, Del Z. You should back off my woman."

The younger man lifted his brows. "Is this true, Keri? Are you breaking my heart like this?"

"I don't know what is going on," she hissed. "You threw me to the wolves. That woman started asking me questions, and then Brad called me baby, and then... Why are you both not wearing shirts?"

"Locker room," Michael replied. "You're going to be all over the blogs tomorrow if you talked to Stewart. She's probably writing the article in her head already: mystery woman identified."

Brad reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm going to get dressed. Will you go get a drink with me or something?"

"Yes, because I need you to explain what just happened."

Notes