Page 24 of The Devil In Denim
“Are we outside office hours?” Ollie’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “I figured you and Maggie must be talking business.”
Implying that there was no other possible reason that Maggie might want to talk to him? As “keep your hands off” warnings went, it wasn’t the most subtle he’d ever received. And even though he didn’t mix business with pleasure, he didn’t feel inclined to put Ollie Shields’s mind at rest on that particular issue.
“Let’s keep things casual for now. Tom Jameson’s got thirty years on me and Mal and Lucas.”
“Got that right,” Ollie muttered.
“How about some beer, Ollie?” Maggie said, her expression somewhat concerned as she looked at them.
“I should be going,” Alex said.
“Good id?—”
“Don’t be silly,” Shelly said, cutting Maggie off. “You both must be hungry and there’s plenty of pizza … You eat pizza, don’t you, Mr. Winters?”
“Yes, I eat pizza.”
“And it’s dinnertime,” Shelly said brightly. “Seems like a perfect opportunity for us to get to know you.”
Behind her, Maggie looked appalled. He knew how she felt. This was exactly the sort of thing that he’d wanted her assistance with, but he’d kind of hoped to ease into meeting the players and their families. And to do it with Lucas and Mal along to share some of the joy of convincing the team that the three of them weren’t evil suits out to destroy the Saints and everything they stood for. Still, he couldn’t waste an opportunity when it presented itself. Particularly, he realized, when staying meant that he wouldn’t be leaving Maggie alone with Ollie Shields.
“Sounds good to me,” he said. He crossed to Maggie and relieved her of the beer bag. He carried it over to the counter and pulled out the six-packs. “Who wants a beer?”
“Me,” said Shelly.
“And me,” said Hana. She looked like she was enjoying herself. Which was more than he could say for Maggie. Who was standing next to Ollie—who’d looped his arm around her shoulders again—looking like she’d rather be anywhere else.
“Maggie?” he asked, as he opened the first two bottles. “Beer?”
“Um, sure.”
“Okay. Glasses, ladies?”
“Not for beer and pizza,” Hana said. “Glasses only make for more washing up.”
“Fair enough.” Though he doubted any of the three of them did much washing up. They’d have dishwashers for that, and most likely, cleaners. He handed out the beers to the women and offered one to Ollie who took it and held it, not letting go of Maggie.
Alex ignored the gesture.
“Pizza,” Hana said, holding out the boxes she held. “Shelly, you get napkins.” She deposited the boxes on the long kitchen table and flipped them open one by one. The smell of cheese and dough and garlic made Alex’s stomach rumble. He’d eaten something for lunch but it was a distant memory. The day had sped past and he still had more work to do when he got back home … taking care of his other businesses.
He took a swig of his beer and turned to the table, holding out a chair for Shelly as she came over to the table with a handful of napkins and a pizza cutter.
Maggie seemed to realize that she should be playing hostess, ducked out from Ollie’s arm once more, and crossed to the big double-door fridge, pulling out Parmesan and a big bottle of mineral water.
Ollie took the chair opposite Alex’s. Shelly and Hana had taken up positions on either side of Alex, thwarting his vague hope that at least he might get to sit next to Maggie. Maggie looked at the four of them and then took the chair next to Ollie’s.
“So what kind did you get?” she asked Hana.
“Pepperoni with olives, veggie, and loaded,” Hana replied promptly. “The middle one’s the vegetarian.” She helped herself to a slice. To Alex’s surprise, Ollie took a vegetarian as well.
Alex let Shelly choose next and then gestured to Maggie. “You first.”
She reached out and grabbed a slice from the third box. Loaded. A woman after his own heart. The look of bliss on her face when she folded the slice of pizza over and took a bite made his body tighten.
No.
He didn’t date employees.
