Forever Wild (Wildcat Hockey Book 5)

EVERLY

After two months at the internship and I feel like I’m starting to get in the swing of things. I had reservations on coming, but I’m good at this. Still learning, of course, but I feel smart and capable.

“Did you bring the samples for the backsplash I asked for?” My boss, Heather, asks as we enter one of the condominiums in a new building. We’ve sold over thirty units since I started working for her with thirty-five more still being constructed.

“Yes.” I walk to the kitchen in front of her and wave to where I’ve placed them against the countertop.

She stops and eyes them carefully, then picks up the one on the end.

“I know that isn’t one you requested, but I thought it was a good option. It gives the room a little more warmth.”

She’s quiet so long that I fear I’ve offended her by questioning her choices. Heather is known for her impeccable taste. Who the hell do I think I am by offering another option?

“You have a great eye, but this is out of the price range the builder is offering.”

“Oh. I didn’t think of that.”

She nods and hands me the small square of tile. After looking around the rest of the small apartment, she says, “Good. This all looks good. You can head back to the office and I’ll email over their picks this afternoon.”

“Okay.” I gather my things while admiring the late afternoon sunlight pouring into the large, open windows and the lake just beyond.

The apartment is still mostly a blank slate. No furniture or curtains or artwork to make it feel like a home, but the view and the lighting almost make it unnecessary.

I get back to the office at the same time as Lisa is returning from staging a house across town. We have lunch at our desks and she tells me about the place. Most of our work is on the new condos. Buyers get to pick out a few of the building options, and we run samples and put in the orders, and then make sure it all goes according to plan. There are a few other projects, including some pricey lake homes, other apartments and rentals, and a few commercial spaces, but the bulk of the work is the same.

Lisa helped stage a house that’s going up for sale. I find I’m wildly jealous since I haven’t stepped foot in anything but white wall, empty condos.

“I swear their kitchen is bigger than any apartment I’ve ever had,” she says, eyes lit up with excitement. “And the view from the master bathroom is divine.”

“Are you staging the entire house?”

“The sellers have some nice stuff, so mostly we’re just clearing out excess furniture and clutter, making it look cleaner and highlighting the decadence.”

I’m itching to take on a real project where I can really use my design skills. I understand that a clean, simple aesthetic sells houses, but I want the satisfaction of designing a real homey space where people will live and enjoy every detail.

I’m about to pack up for the day when Heather returns. She stops by my cubicle on her way to her office. Her gaze slides from me to Lisa. “Can I talk to you both in my office before you leave for the day?”

“Of course,” we say in unison. Heather has been nothing but warm and lovely, but she has a certain air about her that demands respect. Also, she frightens me despite how nice she seems.

Lisa and I take the chairs in front of Heather’s massive desk. Our boss smiles at us. Her dark hair is cut in a sleek bob and her makeup is perfect and timeless.

“I know that this internship is a lot of errands and grunt work, and while I think that’s important to familiarize yourself with the process of what we do here, I want to give you both an opportunity to do something a little more…fun.” Her red lips twist into a smirk.

Excitement zaps through me and makes me sit taller.

“I have two homes that need to be staged to sell. Both properties have waterfront access and both owners are looking to sell quickly.”

A little of the excitement dwindles. Selling means less creativity in the design. I’ve learned that much. But a home on the lake?!

“I’m going to let you each take full control of staging one of these homes. You’ll have the same budget and resources, but how you choose to use them are up to you.”

“We’ll do this together or on our own?” Lisa and I share a nervous glance.

“Each of you will be responsible for one of the homes. You can share resources and ideas, but I’ll be looking to see how you handle the design and project management individually for your assigned house.”

I’m so excited. Adrenaline pumps through me. I want to start now. I already have so many ideas and I haven’t even seen the house.

“Thank you,” Lisa says, prompting me to do the same.

“Yes. Thank you. This is…” I trail off. I have no words for how big this opportunity feels.

“One more thing,” Heather says. “Your internships are over at the end of the year, but because of the recent contracts with the condominiums and a few other commercial spaces, I’m going to be hiring a full-time employee. You’re both talented and hardworking. I’d be happy to offer the position to either of you. The only fair way I can see to choose is by observing you in a final project.”

The smile Heather aims at us doesn’t ease the swirling anxiety in my stomach. She gives us a few more details, but I barely hear any of it. “I’ll send you each the details on the house you’ll be working on shortly.” She dismisses us with a nod.

Lisa and I leave her office, sharing hesitant and excited smiles.

“I can’t believe this,” she says in a rush. “Only one of us…”

I knew that working here beyond the internship was a long shot. I thought at best I’d have a great reference from a top designer, but to know that I could actually work here full-time is exciting.

“Let’s not think about that,” I say. “We get to design something. Finally!”

“Not just something. A house on the lake. Can you imagine the views?!”

Before either of us can stop talking about this opportunity, Heather emails us the houses she’s assigned. The homes are similar. Lisa’s is slightly larger, but mine sits right on the lake; whereas, hers sits back farther from the water.

I leave the office and head to my apartment, but I spend all evening looking through the photos. Five bedrooms, three baths, an open concept kitchen, dining, and living room. Plus, a loft and an office. There is so much house. So many rooms. Not to mention the views of the lake and the easy access. I’m not even a huge fan of boats or fishing, but there’s something serene about being near the water.

My head spins with possibilities, but I want to walk around and get a feel for it before I decide on anything for sure.

The budget isn’t much for the size of the house, so I’ll need to identify the most important rooms and allocate the money accordingly.

I’m brushing my teeth, still thinking about the house, when my phone pings with a text.

Bridget

I miss you. Also, did you see this?

Me

MISS YOU!

I type back the reply before clicking on the link she sent. It takes me to an interview with Jack. He’s in the Wildcat locker room wearing a black fitted T-shirt and a backward hat. He’s sweaty like he just finished practice or a workout.

The reporter stands next to him, holding a microphone.

“Good to see you out there on the ice today,” the reporter says. “What was it like being out during the playoffs last season?”

I tense. What an asshole question. Jack plays it cool, but there’s a slight shift in his body language like maybe he’s tense too and trying not to show it.

“It was tough,” Jack says. He looks down at the ground instead of at the reporter or camera. “I felt like I let down my teammates and the fans. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d be back at all, so I’m really grateful to be here. I don’t take any of this for granted. The past few months have been some of the worst and best times. The people that showed up for me, my teammates, coaches, medical staff…I can’t say how much it meant to me. I wasn’t an easy person to be around.”

The reporter chuckles softly. “It had to be hard to watch the team struggle. This is your team after all. This is your fourteenth season with the Wildcats and sixth as captain.”

“This is home,” he says. “I can’t imagine playing anywhere else.”

“We’re all looking forward to watching you this season,” the reporter says. “Last question, on a scale of one to ten, how excited are you to play in front of the home crowd next weekend?”

“There is no number that captures how ready I am.”

“The fans are ready too. Thanks for chatting with me, Jack. Care to give a shout out to all the medical staff and coaches that put up with you while you weren’t so easy to be around?” He grins as he uses Jack’s words.

I hate that this guy is trying to joke around about something so serious. Jack is handling it way better than I would. I wonder if James is having a coronary over this interview.

“A lot of people helped me get back here, but there is one person in particular who gave me a kick in the butt when I needed it most. It’s safe to say she saved me.”

I think I stop breathing as his words register.

The reporter is grinning wide. “It sounds like we all should be indebted to this person then. Care to thank her by name?”

Jack shakes his head but lifts his chin ever so slightly so I can see his eyes. He glances sideways toward the camera as he says, “No. I think I’ll keep that to myself, but she knows who she is. Thank you.”

I watch it twice, throat thick with emotion from seeing him and hearing him thank me.

Bridget

He’s talking about you, right?

Me

Or Sandra.

Bridget

Who?

Me

No one.

Bridget

Have you talked to him?

Me

To say what?

Bridget

Maybe to tell him that you miss him and he’s a big, stubborn fool.

Me

It won’t change anything. He doesn’t want to be with me.

Bridget

I don’t know. He seems sort of lost lately.

I want to believe that has something to do with me, but if it’s true, then why hasn’t he texted? He didn’t want to be with me and that hasn’t changed.

Me

All the guys are lost in the off-season. He’ll be fine now that hockey is back.

Bridget

Do you really believe that?

Me

I do. The team is everything to him.

They’re all he needs.