Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Now you’re just being bigoted,” I say.
Ava’s jaw drops. “How is that bigoted?”
“Because you’re prejudiced against me because I’m rich. Sure, most guys take a girl out to dinner, but I can easily afford a plane ticket. You’re penalizing me because I can afford nicer things for you.”
After another long sigh, Ava sounds defeated. “I’m trying very hard not to let my past decisions with Derek influence my feelings here, but they are.”
“And I’m asking you not to. Give me the benefit of the doubt. Please come with me next week.”
She worries at her bottom lip, her eyes piercing into mine for a long moment before she mutters the most delicious words. “Okay. I’ll go with you.”
I’m so excited, I forget all decorum and the fact that there are a ton of people still here and let out a whoop as I pick her up and swing her around.
Ava laughs as she holds on to my shoulders, and I know I’m dangerously close to letting this get too serious.
CHAPTER 17
Ava
My first official day working for the Shelley Royce Agency has me sitting at a desk staring out the window at downtown Los Angeles. I flew in yesterday, compliments of a first-class ticket that Cannon had bought me to come out on this extended road trip with the team. I was stunned he spent so much money, and I let him know I would’ve been completely fine in the main passenger cabin.
After that, he went on a long monologue trying to justify the first-class ticket. He spent an awful lot of time explaining that he wished I could fly with the team, but it wasn’t possible. He went on to further explain that he would very much like to have flown out with me but being on the team plane is part of the camaraderie and leadership expected of him.
I knew all of that.
He didn’t have to explain it to me, and yet he did, in great detail.
So I listened and chalked it up to Cannon wanting to make sure my expectations stay in check. Maybe it’s because I don’t know much about hockey, and I know even less about the life of a hockey coach, but it’s like he needs to constantly remind me that his position as coach comes first.
All I can do is remind him that I understand, but truth be told… sometimes it’s confusing. He makes a big deal about boundaries and stolen moments and yet goes overboard in his romantic gestures. He makes comments that sound like he wants a future with me.
For example, Cannon not only purchased a first-class ticket for me, but he also chose a flight that would land at roughly the same time as the team. While he had to ride with the team to the hotel, he had a private driver take me so I wouldn’t have to deal with a ride service. He met me in the hotel lobby with a soft kiss witnessed by much of the team swarming to check in, and then whisked me up to our room where we almost broke the bed.
The team had last night off, so Cannon took me out to an expensive meal and then later, we met Baden and Sophie in the hotel lobby bar for a nightcap. It was nice getting to know them, and I think that was intentional on Cannon’s part. He doesn’t want me to be overwhelmed by it all, so he’s creating connections for me, a little at a time.
After the nightcap, we went to our room and almost broke the bed again. He then pulled me into his arms, and we slept soundly until he had to get up for early meetings with the other coaches, followed by a morning practice at the arena. He left while I was in the shower, first leaning into the stall for a wet kiss with a promise to see me around lunchtime.
The hotel room is lovely. He upgraded us to a suite with a separate living room area that holds this beautiful desk where I’m set up to work.
I have a Zoom training session with Shelley this afternoon, but for now, I’m trying to absorb every bit of information that is out there on the interweb. I spent over an hour this morning on her website, reading every blog article she’s written. I studied her branding and checked for consistency in her messaging. All things I learned while I studied for my degree.
I then went on to her social media accounts and looked at all her posts. I took screenshots of those that I thought were amazing for future reference and some other screenshots of those that I might have done a little differently. I intend to ask her about that so I can get a feel as to what she really wants.