Hockey Holidays Read online

  Why is she telling me this? I don’t care. I don’t even know the dude. Though, since being in Nashville for the last three days, I’ve noticed everyone overshares. And they’re so nice. Like, overly nice. Shea and I walked to breakfast yesterday, and we were waved at by almost everyone. I chalked it up to the fact that I was walking with the new face of the Nashville Assassins, but then later, I went to the supermarket by myself, and everyone still waved. It’s bizarre, but also kind of nice. It’s better than being flipped off like how it is back home.

  It’s only been three days, but I already feel a load better. Even Mom mentioned how great I sounded on the phone. I feel it too, which is wonderful. I hit the ground running when I arrived. Shea’s condo is already our condo. It’s as if I took everything from Boston and brought it here. I’m good with that, and so is Shea. He hasn’t stopped smiling since I arrived. I know most people don’t understand, but we’re good. Even though he’s my brother, he is my chosen best friend.

  “Shea tells me you’ll be in town for a while.”

  Jackie’s words bring me back to the conversation. When Shea suggested I get a job with Jackie, I was hesitant. But then I remembered I was one proud chick, and I don’t take handouts well. Moving kicked my savings in the balls, so I need to build that back up. Plus, I like blowing money on things that sparkle. So, I need a job. If that job can allow me to afford things that sparkle, then I’m there. I just have to work with this chick. I smile as I nod eagerly. “Yes, the plan is to move here permanently.”

  “Aw, y’all are just so close and all.”

  I don’t think she likes me. I don’t have real evidence, but I don’t like the way she looks down on me. Or the quirk in her brow, almost as if I’m not good enough to be here. Yes, I haven’t been working in design long, but I graduated second in my class, and I can design the hell out of anything. None of that matters, though, because she really likes Shea, and I’m pretty sure she thinks she’s the one.

  Sorry, sister, you’re not.

  I like to think of Shea’s match from time to time. I’d love her, of course. She’d be fantastic and love me just as much. She wouldn’t be a Barbie either. She’d be drop-dead gorgeous, but she’d be normal. I see him with someone shorter, if only for the fact that he likes being the protector. She’d be the yin to his yang, but she’d be able to put him in his place. Yeah, I can’t wait to meet her. And one thing is for sure—Jackie McCory is not her.

  I nod. “Yup, we sure are.”

  When a knock comes to the door, her face changes to an expression of annoyance in one point two seconds flat. I swear her accent gets thicker as she hollers out, “I’m in a meeting, Mandy!”

  The door opens, and in comes Mandy. But, wait… I’m pretty sure he’s not. Maybe it’s a nickname, and if so, he might need to change that. He’s way too hot to have such a feminine name. His gaze moves from Jackie to me and, whoa, nice eyes. They’re dark but have flecks of gold. His face is nice too, high cheekbones and a thick jaw. His nose is narrow but fits his face. He’s clean-shaven, and his hair is high and tight, giving him a classy look.

  “Oh, it’s you, James.”

  “Hey, sorry. Not Mandy. She’s in the back, chain-smoking,” he says, but his eyes haven’t left mine. He holds his hand up as he comes in. His lips curve, his eyes go a bit dark, and a shock runs through me. Oh, he is sexy. He pulls his gaze from mine back to Jackie. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Of course she is,” Jackie moans. “What can I do for you?”

  He clears his throat as I drink him in. He’s probably my height, lean, and looks damn good in that suit. He reeks of money, which isn’t really a turn-on for me. Most of the time, those guys are complete dicks. And if they’re not dicks, they’re way too safe for my liking. “I need the files on Gavorite, Lydel, and Marrett.”

  She lets her head fall back. “I told Mandy to send them.”

  He shrugs. “She must have misplaced them on one of her many trips outside.”

  My cheek pulls up with a grin as Jackie gives him a pointed look. “Are you trying to tell me my assistant sucks?”

  He blinks, his face like stone, but a grin is hiding in there. “Yes, massively. Fire her now.”

  She rolls her eyes as she stands, getting the files.

  He looks over at me and smiles, his white teeth gleaming. “Hire her. She looks way more qualified.”

  I snort. Is that his pick-up line?

  “That’s Shea Adler’s sister. She’s here to replace Tammy as my partner in crime.”

  His eyes widen. “That’s why I thought I knew you. Y’all two are twins.”

  Y’all two? It’s a whole different language down here. “Guilty,” I say, and his eyes glide over me like warm honey. Heat gathers between my legs and…all over, actually.

  “I’m James Justice.”

  “Grace Adler.”

  His lips curve even more, and the sweetest little dimple appears at the side of his mouth. “So I was right. Way too qualified for Mandy’s job.”

  “Maybe,” I say with a shrug.

  Jackie holds out the files, and he takes them, though his eyes stay on me. He taps the files to his palm and then nods. “Well then, thank you for these, Jackie. Fire Mandy. And hey, maybe I’ll see you around.”

  I shrug once more, pursing my lips. I hope they’re still nice and glossy. “Maybe.”

  He leaves after that. Hmm, interesting. When Jackie sits down, she leans on the desk. “The job is yours if you want it.”

  “Oh.” I mean, I know I’m awesome, but I had started to feel like she wasn’t going to give me the job. “Let me ask you something before I accept.”

  “Sure.”

  She folds her perfectly manicured hands together, and I take in a deep breath. “If you and Shea break up, what does that mean for me?”

  She blinks twice and then leans back, a slow grin spreading over her fake face. “I know where I stand with you brother, Grace. I know what we’re doing—he is very honest. Do I hope he’ll fall desperately in love with me? Of course I do, but I’m not naïve. We’re enjoying each other’s company, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hire a damn good designer.”

  I don’t believe her for a second, which means one thing. I’ve got to get in here, learn everything I can, make some contacts, and get ready to be on my own.

  ’Cause she’ll fire me the moment Shea kicks her out of his bed.

  That Night.

  “I’m under the impression she thinks she’s got her claws into you. Though, she did say she’s not naïve.”

  Shea glances over at me from his matching recliner, sipping a beer. “She’s a decent enough girl. Just not my girl.”

  I shrug as I kick back in my own recliner, holding my beer loosely in my fingertips. This is how I picture a perfect night. SportsCenter on the TV, a beer, my recliner, and my brother. All that’s missing is some KitKats. Life would be really good then.

  Since leaving the office of the Planning Guru with my new planner and business cell phone, I’ve felt a few different emotions. Excitement for the opportunity, nervousness because Jackie could and will drop me the moment Shea drops her, and I am actually a little embarrassed to say this…but I’ve been thinking about that James guy since I left. He was yummy.

  “So, you know James Justice?”

  Shea glances over at me. “Yeah, he’s a good buddy.”

  “I met him today,” I say, looking down at my beer bottle.

  “Real nice guy.”

  A silence falls over us. I want to ask questions, but I don’t want to seem interested. Because I’m not. He’s hot, but I doubt I’ll ever see him again. When Shea clears his throat, I look over at him as I lift my beer to my lips. He’s pulling at the label on his beer. Crap, he’s nervous.

  “What?”

  He doesn’t look at me; he just keeps pulling at the label. “I have a question.”

  That doesn’t seem bad, but his face is all twisted up. “Okay.”

  “Don�€