Page 24 of He Has Game (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
Chapter 6
Vivvie
Six days and only one text from Finn later—the one he promised—I’m running to Pellini’s restaurant to meet Mary for a late lunch. Friday afternoons are crowded in the North End, especially since the temps got up to sixty today. The cobblestones are tricky with these heels, but I’m wearing them because I know Mary expects me to stay in character, as she puts it. We’re supposed to go over my work, the online content I’ve been producing for the team, but she also expects a report on Finn.
Since I haven’t seen him all week, partly due to the away game yesterday, I don’t know what I’m going to tell her. With my head down, paying attention to where I step, I don’t see the guy coming around the corner and I run into him like he’s a solid cement wall. Except I recognize that scent and jerk my head up to see his grinning face with the devil in his eyes. Why did I not notice that devilish glint that first day in Mary’s conference?
“Whoa, there.” He wraps his arms around me as if he has a right, as if he really is my fiancé. Part of me is miffed, struggling with the other part of me that heats up and sticks to him like fire on wood.
“I knew I’d run into you in the neighborhood sooner or later, but I didn’t figure it would beliterallyrunning into you.”
Disengaging myself from him, I say, “Finn. Great to see you.” I’m not much of a liar so I don’t know why I’m bothering except that it’s bred into me bone deep to be polite.
“I thought we said we weren’t going to lie?” He pulls me off the sidewalk into a recessed doorway and my heart speeds up as I try to think what to say to him, but my mind is fogged up under the influence of his direct stare.
“What’s the matter?”
“I thought we’d see more of each other.” If it’s the truth he wants, well, we’ll see if it reallyisthe truth he wants.
He smiles, of all things, a soft smile. “You missed me.” He leans in and whispers, “Don’t tell Mary. She’ll think I’m taking advantage of you.”
If I had as much courage as any fictional heroine worth her salt, I’d ask him if he missed me, because I’d really like to know. But if I have to guess based on his lack of admission and his lack of texting or calls or anything, I’d say the answer is clear. I heave a disappointed sigh.
“Speaking of Mary, I’m meeting her for lunch—a business meeting, so I have to go.”
“Wait a sec. Not so fast. Let me get my fill of you, that scent of yours—what is it?”
“I’m not wearing perfume.”
“It’s sweet and mouthwatering.” He nuzzles my neck and breathes deep, scattering my nerves like stardust, making me dizzy.
“It’s Japanese cherry blossom . . . lotion.”
“No wonder I want to lick your skin—”
About to close my eyes and let him lick away, a nearby horn reminds me we’re in public, reminds me he’s a player and he’s toying. Pulling away from him, I say, “I have to go.”
He holds on, a frown creasing his brow. “Vivvie, what’s wrong?” His words are gentle and sound convincingly caring.
“We aren’t really a couple.” I pull from him and this time he lets me go, so I rush to the restaurant and pray I don’t fall into a pothole flat on my face.
A minute later, I’m sitting across from my boss at a table for two surrounded by the tantalizing smells of Italian food. It’s almost enough to make me forget about Finn’s hard body and tender words. But who am I kidding?
“Heads-up. I’m putting out a press release this afternoon to announce your engagement.”
“But, but . . . ” My mind goes blank, like she just waved one of thoseMen in Blackbrain eraser devices at my head. “There’s a game tonight.” Realization dawns.
“Exactly. We always go for maximum impact,” she says. “That’s PR 101. You should know that, Vivian. You’re a smart girl. Or you were when I last saw you. Finn hasn’t made you stupid, has he?” she squints at me.
“Of course not. I’m fine. I’m just . . . thinking of the impact.”
“Something you should have done a week ago, I’d say.”
“Have you heard anything from the Boylston Foundation?” I ask.
“Every day. We’ve stalled them, but we have no time to lose. Mr. Boylston is surprisingly adamant about the trade. He’s upped it from a suggestion to a veiled threat.”
“A threat? What could he do—?”
