‘Seriously?’ He briefly started scrolling and his eyes widened. ‘This is nuts. I don’t even know what to do with this. Why would girls put themselves out there like that to a total stranger – and before you say anything, I am a total stranger to these women. No matter how much they think they know me because they saw me on the ice.’ He quickly glanced at a photo of a blonde bombshell. ‘Although,’ he mumbled, flashing her a mischievous grin, ‘maybe this thing’s not so bad after all.’

‘Well, I’m no PR expert, but I can guarantee Hannah is not going to like it if you start responding to those messages – or even looking at the photos. They can tell if you’ve opened it, you know. Don’t go getting too click-happy.’

Ward grimaced and dropped the phone like it was a ticking time bomb. This was a whole new world for him and he still didn’t know how to feel about it. ‘OK. Will you just delete them for me or whatever without clicking on them? Or show me how to do it? When we’re done training.’

They both got down on the floor to start their session.

‘So have you decided what you’re going to post about?’ Shelley asked conversationally. ‘Some cat pics maybe?’ She was relishing having fun at his expense.

‘I am not posting about Pretzel.’ He glanced over to where she was now greedily gulping down her breakfast.

‘People love cat content though,’ she continued as he started a set of crunches. ‘Or actually, maybe sharing your training progress would be good? We could shoot something right now. I’ll stay off-camera and record some footage while you stretch and whatever. People would love to see that your head is back in the game. And that you’re working hard to get better – get back on the ice. Panthers fans especially.’

And maybe management too.

Grunting a final crunch, he considered her suggestion. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t done on camera before. And yeah, it would be good for his employers and teammates at least to know that he truly was taking all of this rehabilitation stuff, physical and otherwise, seriously.

‘I like it. Sounds “on brand”, as Hannah might say,’ Ward said with a wink, figuring she would surely approve.

Chapter 29

HANNAH

‘How did you do it?’ Zoe demanded.

Her head still fuzzy after yet another crazy day at the office, Hannah’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. ‘Do what?’

‘Blow McKenzie up on social media for the right reasons this time?’

‘Slight exaggeration,’ she replied airily. ‘He’s only posted once at the weekend – and actually, that was me posting for him.’

‘No, yesterday he posted a video of himself working out. It’s everywhere. He looks HOT.’