‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

Johnny raised his eyebrows.

‘You’re kidding, right? Don’t forget I know your history. And I saw that workout video that was all over the place too. You’re a one-man Magic Mike movie, dude.’

‘Gimme a break.’

‘I know that you’ve built up the reputation– and I also know that you’ve never really gone out of your way to change it either.’

‘What about Melanie?’ he retorted.

‘What about her? Once she moved to Chicago, that was the end of it. You didn’t act too broken up over it so I just assumed she was just another one from the parade that happened to last longer than most.’

It had been way more than that, but Ward had never been comfortable sharing his emotions with anyone. Growing up without a father had somehow convinced him that it was his job to be the man of the house and he’d also learned that showing emotion around Irene only earned him a lecture about how it was a ‘hard world out there and you’d better make damned sure no one sees that you’re soft’.

A life lesson that his first coach had drilled in even harder. Never show ’em you’re weak.

‘Maybe. Here’s the thing, though – how the hell do I stop thinking that way about the damn girl when we’re supposed to be working together?’

His friend thought about it for a long moment, then finally said, ‘You’re gonna have to work that one out on your own, bruh. But the last thing you need now is to toss in that hand grenade. Seems like that damn girl could well be your last chance. Whatever you do, don’t fuck it up.’

Chapter 38

HANNAH

Hannah sat at her desk, scrolling through the headlines from a fundraising event at the St Regis Hotel the night before.

Another score for Ward McKenzie.

The athlete had been a big hit at the KidsCare Foundation benefit. He’d been part of a silent auction that had raised over fifteen thousand dollars after a wealthy donor bid on him for a series of private hockey lessons and one-on-one coaching for his son.

She sought out the accompanying media shots and swallowed hard at the sight of him. The tux she’d arranged was off-the-rack Dolce but looked tailored to perfection on his strong body, and while these days he didn’t rely on the cane so much, she’d also suggested it as an accessory to give an additional dapper touch.

And to remind his burgeoning legion of admirers that he was still on his recovery ‘journey’.

The man of the moment was due to arrive at the office soon for a debrief on everything else she had planned for him. And based on what she’d just learned from his agent, potentially a very nice surprise too.