It was probably only one of the few reasons why Heather loved her so much. Emmersyn was probably one of the top twenty wealthiest women in the country, at least she would be once she got her trust, but she was right. She absolutely didn’t live like it, and considering I’d grown up a farmer’s son and never had more than a few quarters to my own name growing up, I’d tried really hard not to let my own fortune get the better of me.

But hockey players and most professional athletes were smart with their money if they listened to advice in the beginning. Our careers could end in a second. One wrong hit, one career-ending injury, and our millions vanished so it was important to invest and create different streams of wealth. Some of that came from simply investing in the market, some came from purchasing real estate. Others started non-profits or owned restaurants. Me? I’d put most of mine in real estate and rented out properties on the East Coast. All under a handful of different LLCs that’d be difficult to trace back to me.

Essentially, even if my career ended tomorrow, I’d be fine for life.

We were seated quickly, and fortunately, were able to be given a table right by the glass railing outside. As soon as we did, the fountains went off to the music and the show began.

Emmersyn smiled with glee and it was one more thing I was starting to like about her—how the simplest things could bring such a huge smile to her face.

She was right. She didn’t at all live like someone entitled to their wealth and it only made me more curious about her, especially since she said she did a lot of volunteering, but hadn’t mentioned a job.

After drinks were ordered, water for me and a mimosa for her, I rested my forearms on the table, pushing away extra glasses and the blue napkin and silverware.

“Tell me more about what you want to do?”

She’d still been watching the show, and my question took her by surprise. “What I want to do?”

“Yeah. You mentioned nonprofits for underprivileged youth, and Heather mentioned clothing or toy drives or something for Christmas, but you haven’t really said. Do you have plans?”

“Nothing concrete.” A wistful look took over her face, softening every one of her perfect features from her slim, pert nose to her high cheekbones and pillowy lips. “But yeah, I have some ideas. Mostly about the education system, but in general, helping them. It’s not a child’s fault they’re born into poverty or abusive homes or ones filled with neglect, and while I think there are a lot of great systems in place to help, a lot of them are also funded by governments and rely on lawmakers and taxes to support them. I’d like to be able to support some organizations where donations don’t factor into being able to help.”

God, she was beautiful. So elegant. So intelligent, and so damn kind it stole my breath away and I had to work to gather myself. The bar, Malley’s, that Joey took over had always helped support youth baseball leagues for underprivileged kids in Las Vegas. Dominick had gotten into coaching youth hockey back for community service, but he enjoyed it so much he was doing it again this year, once again coaching Holly’s son, Ben, but he also bought uniforms and new skates and gear for every single child who registered to play. There were a lot of guys who did good things like that with their money, especially for youth and while I’d donated my money and time when I could and easily, I’d never found a cause that I could throw my full support behind that would include my name in it.